LC Lambrecht
%20-%20back%20nine%20overview%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.suffix/1573162701278.jpeg)
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
%20-%2018th%20hole%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.suffix/1573162710990.jpeg)
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
%20-%20front%20nine%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.suffix/1573162718483.jpeg)
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.suffix/1573162694461.jpeg)
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
%20-%2014th%20hole%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.suffix/1573162697066.jpeg)
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
%20-%2010th%20hole%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.853.suffix/1573162715672.jpeg)
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
Dismal River Club: Red
Dismal River Club: Red
83040 Dismal River Trl
Mullen, NE 69152-5199
United States
Overview
In adding a companion 18 to the Jack Nicklaus-designed White Course at Dismal River, Tom Doak created as organic and amorphous a design as anyone is liable to do in the U.S., simply following the flow of the land and locating greens with breathtaking backdrops. Doak walked the site several times before routing it, utilizing the existing folds of the land for his holes. His associate Brian Slawnik then mowed out the proposed fairways, which spread across the landscape into wide splotches, even flowing into adjacent fairways. Then Doak personally hand-shaped the greens. All but four of the putting surfaces took less than an hour apiece to transform from raw land to seedbed. There are no formal tee boxes, just broad, freeform pads with a couple of yardage posts. One gets the feeling that you could play the Red Course backwards to equal delight.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked from 2017-'24.
Highest ranking: 131st, 2017-'18.
Best in State: Ranked second, 2015-'22. Ranked fourth, 2023-'24. Ranked inside the top five, 2011-'14. Ranked sixth, 2025-'26. Ranked inside the top 10, 2009-'10.
Previous ranking: 4th.
2025-'26 ranking: 6th.
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
“The Red course is pure, wind-swept golf at its finest. The scale of the property is immense, offering a brilliant test of links-style shot making that rewards creativity and respects the natural terrain."
Read More2026
Review
“It can stand with Sand Hills as the two elite golf courses in the sandhills of Nebraska. While the front 9 is very good golf, the back 9 is simply at another level. It may be better than either 9 at Sand Hills! No golfer's resume is complete until he has made a trip to the sandhills of Nebraska. The area and resulting golf is just surreal. Dismal River is a unique golf experience and should be visited by any serious golfer."
Read More2025
Review
“Wonderfully laid out course where holes get better the further into the round you go."
Read More2025
Review
“I survived some of the strongest winds ever for me on a golf course. Had a great time honing my wind game. With all that, I hit nearly every fairway due to the widths built into the design."
Read More2024
Review
“Stunning layout over a large site ideally suited for golf and golfers of all types. Great variety of holes and terrain that guarantees all sorts of possible shots. Rustic and at times very rugged, the wind is typically in play, adding to the challenge. Not close to anything, but well worth the drive."
Read More2024
Review
“Really fun, lots of variety and played firm and fast in late summer. Great stop."
Read More2024
Review
“Spectacular course in a spectacular setting."
Read More2023
Review
“A very good Doak course with greens that are puttable. No tee markers, just pick where the players wants to hit from."
Read More2023
Review
“An excellent fun course to play. Not as difficult as the Nicklaus course but more interesting."
Read More2021
Review
“One of the most fun courses you will ever play, The design variety is outstanding and there are a few holes you will never see again."
Read More2018
