Nebraska

A free-wheeling 10-hole par-3 short course on shortgrass turf — pick your flag and play. The perfect nightcap loop on an unlimited-golf stay-and-play day at the Prairie Club.

Graham Marsh's counterpart to the Dunes (~#75 public) — routed along the rim of the Snake River Canyon through ancient ponderosa pines before the dunes take over. Resort stay-and-play or tee-time draw.

Tom Lehman & Chris Brands's big-dune links high above the Snake River country, ranked among the top public courses in America (~#35). Firm, fast, and dramatic. Access is via the resort's stay-and-play package or a tee-time draw.

King & Collins's epic-scale prairie course in the Loess Hills of northeast Nebraska — enormous, wildly contoured greens (three top 25,000 sq ft) under huge horizons. Already a top-20 public course in America, and around $160 a genuine steal.

Links-style golf on the bluffs above Lake McConaughy near Ogallala — Sandhills scenery, big elevation changes, and risk-reward holes over the reservoir. A scenic, affordable western-Nebraska round.

Jim Engh's naturally routed dunes course in south-central Nebraska (formerly Awarii Dunes, now under new management) — a genuinely good track for around $80 with a cart. Exceptional everyday value.

Dave Axland & Dan Proctor's minimalist prairie links in Gothenburg — routinely called the best value in American golf. A genuine top-100-public design you can still play for under $100. Firm, windswept, and endlessly fun.