Dom Furore
Dom Furore
Dom Furore
Sand Hills Golf Club
Sand Hills Golf Club
36410 Sand Hills Rd
Mullen, NE 69152-5209
United States
Overview
The golf course wasn’t so much designed as discovered. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw trudged back and forth over a thousand acres of rolling sand hills in central Nebraska, flagging out naturally occurring fairways and greens. By moving just 4,000 cubic yards of earth and letting the winds shape the bunkers, the duo created what is undoubtedly the most natural golf course in America—a timeless course design. For decades, winter winds had always reshaped the bunkers, but course officials have recently discovered a method to prevent that. At the close of the season, they spray the surface of the sand in bunkers with a product that creates a crust to resist the howling winds.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 1999.
2025-'26 ranking (previous and highest): 8th.
Best in State: Ranked first since 1997.
2025-'26 ranking: 1st.
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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
“Sand Hills is in many ways the OG of "if you build it, they will come" (or certainly want to) when it comes to destination golf courses. Located in one of the most remote areas of the central US, it is truly a destination you must plan for. Right out of the gate, you are challenged by a difficult tee shot over a bunker that sneaks into the fairway that challenges you to carry it or bail out right. If you are long enough, you can consider going for the green in two, but anything short will roll 80 yards back down the hill and anything coming in hot will surely skip through the green. A wonderful opening hole that is a preview for what is to come throughout the round. Very little earth was actually moved on the course and it does feel very natural. The vistas of rolling sand hills and cattle farms are very impressive on clear days. Hole 4 is the only hole where they did make some adjustments to the natural landscape by building up the green. It is a great hole and the approach on this hole is critical to ensure scoring. 8 is an exciting risk/reward short par 4 that provides some relief after a few difficult holes. Be precise and you can score well, miss in a greenside bunker and bogey+ comes into play quickly. 14 is a fantastic strategic par 5. Reachable in two, but you need to hit an accurate tee shot down the left side of the fairway to take advantage of the "speed slot". However, by positioning yourself on the left side, you are now blind into a shallow green that is well protected in front and back. 17 is a signature par 3 that although not too long, poses challenges around the green to be precise. You need to come into the green from above if you want to hold it. Putting anything above the hole and you risk rolling off the front. Finally, 18 is a tremendous finishing hole that scares you to avoid going left into a cavernous bunker that lines the entire left side. If you want to go for the green in two, you do need to hug that left side to get some extra yardage. Sand Hills is truly a gem of golf architecture and should be on every golfer's bucket list of destinations."
Read More2025
Review
“Truly one of the most unique and fun golf courses I have ever played. Superb set of par 3 holes, that are all in different directions. The wind is as much a part of this course as anything. Bunkering nothing short of amazing. Most bunkers were there before the golf course was. Par 3 number 17 is one of my all time favorite golf holes. Unbelievable set of greens. I could play this course every day the rest of my life! Was told the golf course was built for a million dollars with irrigation being 80 percent!"
Read More2025
Review
“Had the incredible opportunity to spend two days at Sand Hills - one with moderate winds and one without any significant wind. I could rattle off deeper discussions on each and every hole (and each is memorable), wanted to focus on some underappreciated positives as well as a few nitpicks: Positives - 1) Sand Hills is not the most wild or rugged golf course but it is perhaps the most natural here in the US. Subtlety and restraint are on display here, 2) That naturalness exudes in all things the club does. Lodging, food, staff and that drive the highest Character score I've given, 3) Green varieties. Many modern courses are characterized by large, wild greens albeit all one note. Sand Hills has great variety of green sizes and severity Nits - 1) I loved the 17th and 18th and liked the heroic nature of those holes. Would have wanted to see one/two more holes like that sprinkled throughout round, 2) Given variability in winds, think the limited tee box options work against a day to day variety. Found myself hitting similar shots on too many holes, 3) Having played a few other sand hills courses, many of Sand Hills original unique is lost ... on some level. Do believe it's the most elevated but conditioning and aesthetics are similar at nearby courses."
Read More2025
Review
“Best example of links style golf in the U.S. sans ocean. Great variety, natural beauty, ambiance. An equal life experience to Pebble Beach."
Read More2024
Review
“The lasting memory I have from playing multiple rounds at Sand Hills is that several tee boxes make the player feel they are perched above the entire course, not just that 1 tee box on top of a hill, several times you get the mountain top feeling looking out without a tree in site, just rolling sand hills, native grass and blowout bunkers. The course played links style, with low penetrating drives traveling further than those hit even better with a higher apex. Take advantage of accurate tee shots that hit speed slots, kicking the ball 20% further if landing correctly on a downslope. Some short attainable par 4s gave some risk reward and beware of the massive changes to a hole with a different pin. Swirling winds seemed as if every day, every shot is different. "
Read More2022
Review
“Sand Hills is truly remarkable in so many different facets, and achieves deservingly high marks across many of our criteria. It's extremely vast, and visually welcoming for the most part. But on almost every hole there is a perfectly placed bunker, slope, or blind area to play just enough of a mind game to cast doubt on many tee shots. The wind is such a critical element of the design, and contributes strongly to the variety and shot options. For example, on the scorecard 7&8 are back to back short par 4s, but the two holes play extremely differently, in part due to the wind. In both examples, your desired shot into the green will dictate your strategy back on the tee. Mid-iron through driver could be used on each tee shot, while infinite short game shots await around the greens."
Read More2022
Review
“The 3 closing holes perfectly encapsulate the brilliance of Sand Hills. Each consists of remarkable, bold landforms that epitomize the Nebraska Sand Hills, and require challenging, fun, and interesting shots. In particular, 17 is one of the most intimidating wedge shots with no hazard or OB in play. Coore and Crenshaw struck an incredible balance at Sand Hills by rewarding a combination of careful consideration and creativity. The result is a fun and playable golf course that will make you question your strategy and hit a large variety of exciting golf shots."
Read More2022
Review
“Sand Hills is a shrine for golf! It receives an outstanding score for character given its innovation and ingenuity in course design. Dick Youngscap, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw took a substantial risk building a golf course in the middle-of-nowhere Nebraska, but the quality of the land, soil, and features suited for golf (plus Coore and Crensahw's ability to uncover them) led to it becoming the greatest modern golf course in the US. The course receives an exceptional score for shot options given the variety of risk/reward options off the tee, into and around the greens, as well as the demands it presents to the player to hit a variety of trajectories, shot shapes and landing spots with strong rewards for well-executed shots and suitable penalties for misses. Every hole on the golf course is distinctive and memorable. Conditioning is just the way it should be: firm, fast, with smooth and true putting surfaces. Aesthetics are wonderful as they are defined by towering sand dunes and long-range views of the Sand Hills region itself with no man made distractions."
Read More2022
Review
“Probably the finest course I have played that was built in the last 50 years. The Sand Hills formation is a natural Nebraska treasure and Crenshaw/Coore made this course blend in so well that it looks like it has been there forever."
Read More2022
Review
“As has been stated in numerous descriptions by the club itself and golf architecture writers, a one of a kind course built with minimal earth-moving and an amazingly low budget. Natural bunkering, green complexes, and native areas from start to finish. One seemingly can see for 20 miles on many holes with no other homes, structures, vehicles, or people outside of the course and the impressive views of the The Sand Hills of Nebraska. Very firm and fast yet fair playing surfaces throughout. Well thought out hole designs that allow for play with all wind directions. Some of the best bunkering one will encounter anywhere in America. A completely natural feeling on all holes. The course has 18 unique holes with 1, 16,17, & 18 being the standouts. Nos. 7 & 14 offer the player heroic risk/reward options for an easy birdie that could quickly turn into a bogey (or worse)."
Read More2022
