Buffalo Dunes Golf Course
Buffalo Dunes Golf Course
5685 S US Highway 83
Garden City, KS 67846-
United States
Telephone
Overview
Buffalo Dunes, located in southwest Kansas, has always had the potential to be the public player’s Prairie Dunes, that perennial top 30 course three hours to the east. It’s located on similar rolling sand hills with vast horizons across the high plains, but the vision for the course when it opened in 1976 was that of a parkland-style course, a more identifiable mode of golf prior to the existence of Sand Hils and other now-popular inland links developed after 1995. By 2018 when the club embarked on a long-term remodel, trees that were planted along each fairway had grown mature, taking the course out of its natural context. The project has been carried out by superintendent Clay Payne and architects Todd Clark and Zach Varty (who also shapes the bunkers and greens) and involves the removal of most of the property’s trees, rebuilding each green complex and bunker, the addition of bunkers in strategic locations, the incorporation of native grasses and five newly constructed holes. The fairway turf has also been converted to low mow bluegrass that encircles putting surfaces to enable a wider variety of recovery options and the ability to chase approach shots onto the greens, a requirement in the often fierce west Kansas winds. More than ever before, Buffalo Dunes is approaching the potential it’s always had as one of the country’s most exciting affordable public courses, one you can play for less than $40.
About
Awards
Best in State: Ranked inside the top 10, 1999-2001.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Interesting note from course management is that much of the work that the architects have done is pro bono. It has been a 5 year process with one year to go."
Read More2025
Review
“Very fair and challenging course. I could play here every day."
Read More2025
Review
“One of the best public courses you can play and very much underrated. I would think this is a top 3 course in Kansas."
Read More2025
Review
“Buffalo Dunes is a quality golf experience with a myriad of great golf holes that flow naturally and never feels contrived. While playing Buffalo Dunes, you realize that the course would play remarkably different day to day depending on the prevailing wind direction. This was a stout test of golf, but eminently fair regardless of a golfer's skill level. If you're a golfer and traveling across the western part of Kansas, you might give some serious consideration to make time to play Buffalo Dunes."
Read More2025
Review
“As fun as it gets. Great renovation that has 18 new greens and some fun new holes. Firm and fast the conditioning is great. Tightly mown green surrounds give many options for recovery."
Read More2025
Review
“Redesign of the course over the last four years. Several trees removed, some holes rerouted, some lengthened. Greens have been replaced, and several bunker complexes have been added."
Read More2025
Review
“It's hard to believe this is a "muni" course. The investments made are excellent. This course is fun for everyone to play, from the scratch golfer to the high handicapper. To get there it is a 5 hour drive for me, and I would drive it again to play the course. Highly recommend!"
Read More2025
Review
“It is hard to believe that this course is a "muni". It is clear from being on the property that the city and surrounding area take pride of this property and the investments made in it the last handful of years. The shaper, Zack Varty, was on property when I played the course and he showed me around all 18 holes, explaining the changes made and what they still plan to do to the property after this year, which was a treat. The shot options you can use at the course can vary each day and depending on the wind. Each hole you can have a correct angle to the green, but if you miss that target off the tee, you still have a fairway shot into the green but perhaps not on the most ideal line. The design variety keeps your attention on each hole. The new routing uses some new corridors that make tee shots blind and for a few holes you are only able to see the top of the flag for some approach shots. A few times I found myself confused on which direction I was playing as the routing does take you all throughout the property and with shots in every direction. The greens are tempered, but very fun and fair, and the green surrounds were very playable for all skill levels. There are risk reward holes that are not just risk reward of the purpose of having it. These risk reward holes truly do provide a significant reward if you take on the risk that the designer shows you."
Read More2025
Review
“It's a nice course and a great value at $40 including a cart. It is much more memorable and interesting after the renovation that they completed. It's really an interesting story how the superintendent team completed the renovation work for a fraction of the normal cost by donating turf that was removed from the course to the local zoo and a cemetery and then volunteers from those organizations helped with the labor required for the golf course renovation. It's claim is that Buffalo Dunes is the best municipal golf course in the state of Kansas and I believe it."
Read More2025
Review
“A fun municipal course with nice shot options."
Read More2024