10 Best Golf Courses in Kansas – Rated By Real Players

The numerous golf courses available for any golfer to play in Kansas is surely an attraction for golf tourists and locals to find that niche course they want to play.

The extensive design options, playability, or ultimate test layouts make the selection of the 10 best golf courses in Kansas a daunting task.

This task has been eased with a collaboration with TheGrint, our favorite mobile app that helps golfers track their handicap and stats. They have collected golf course reviews from millions of real golf rounds from real golfers.

Ranking in order 1 to 10

  1. Firekeeper Golf Course
  2. Sandy Creek Station Golf Course
  3. Canyon Farms Golf Club
  4. Auburn Hills Golf Course
  5. The Golf Club at Falcon Lakes
  6. Lake Shawnee Golf Course
  7. Overland Park Golf Club | West / South
  8. Nicklaus Golf Club At Lionsgate
  9. Falcon Valley Golf Course
  10. Ironhorse Golf Club

1. Firekeeper Golf Course

firekeeper-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Mayetta, Kansas.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,805 meters off the Tips and 5,301 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 92.4
Fun Rating: 89.8
Shape Rating: 95.1

4 tee options available.

Signature Hole – A few candidates, but the finishing par 4 18th is a winner.

Playing 407 meters to a split fairway, it offers the bold golfer the opportunity to take a short cut risk and reward tee shot.

Make par and talk about it after the round.

Set within an extensive prairie band, the first 7 holes play within the Prairie Band and then the course moves into undulating terrain for the last 11 holes.

Fescue grass, trees, and deep bunkers make this a 2nd shot track and the slick greens challenging.

2. Sandy Creek Station Golf Course

sandy-creek-station-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Newton, Kansas.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,530 meters off the Tips and 5,579 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 91.3
Fun Rating: 93.7
Shape Rating: 88.9

3 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 585-meter par 5 10th, aptly named “the beast” has water on the right and OB on the left off the tee and then they switch sides as the layup or approach shot is played.

Make birdie here and earn a free t-shirt.

The course has a unique feature in that an active railway track runs through the course.

It also features a replica of the world-famous road hole green on the par 5 16th.

This links-style course has wide fairways, eleven ponds, and Sandy Creek borders on a few holes.

The wind is always a factor, and punch and half-shots are required to score well here.

3. Canyon Farms Golf Club

canyon-farms-golf-club

  • Site Link
  • Location: Lenexa, Kansas.
  • Par: 71
  • Length: 6,676 meters off the Tips and 5,257 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 91.3
Fun Rating: 94
Shape Rating: 88.7

4 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 133-meter par 3 3rd hole is a stunning signature hole.

Nowhere to go off the tee but on the green.OB threatens on the left and behind the green. Hit it right and the ball is wet. Short and into the rocks.

Needless to say, club selection is the key.

Canyon Farms is a tough golf course and a challenge for even the accomplished golfer.

No two holes are the same and the “unknown” factor when moving to the next tee is part of the enjoyment of playing this track.

Forced carries and elevation changes require accuracy off the tee.

4. Auburn Hills Golf Course

auburn-hills-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Wichita, Kansas.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,456 meters off the Tips and 4,947 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 89.7
Fun Rating: 90.9
Shape Rating: 88.6

4 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 490-meter par 5 3rd is the signature hole and the hole doglegs left and then works its way back to the right to the green.

Length off the tee to clear the dogleg left will set the player up for the best approach to the green.

This public course is highly rated by all who have played here. Hazards or OB on every hole and some tight holes require the driver to stay in the bag.

The 2nd 9 winds through residential properties and the walks from green to tee are fairly lengthy.

Doglegs and rolling fairways played into undulating greens will test all skill levels.

Play from the tee that fits your game.

5. The Golf Club at Falcon Lakes

the-golf-club-at-falcon-lake

  • Site Link
  • Location: Bashor, Kansas.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,471 meters off the Tips and 5,399 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 88.4
Fun Rating: 90.8
Shape Rating: 86.1

3 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The short 117-meter par 3 3rd is deemed by many to be the most picturesque and signature hole.

Water flanks the right side and the green is cut back into the water.

Attack a right pin placement at your peril.

Falcon Lakes is a links-style golf layout and will challenge all skill levels, but still prove enjoyable.

The fairways are fairly wide with water and bunkers to catch the stray shot.

The undulating greens require precision approach shots to avoid 3 putts.

The bold golfer can let the driver go on a few holes to set up birdie opportunities.

6. Lake Shawnee Golf Course

lake-shawnee-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Topeka, Kansas.
  • Par: 70
  • Length: 5,811 meters off the Tips and 5,407 off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 88.1
Fun Rating: 90.8
Shape Rating: 85.4

2 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 337-meter par 4 is the signature hole and Lake Shawnee flanks the left side fairway to the green.

Keep the ball right off the tee to allow a longer, but safer shot into the green.

A challenging layout, with hills, water, and sand to test accuracy off the tee.

A couple of short holes play from elevated tees down to the green below and are fun.

Technical golfers will thoroughly enjoy this course and expect to use every club in the bag.

7. Overland Park Golf Club | West / South

overlank-park-golf-club

  • Site Link
  • Location: Overland Park, Kansas.
  • Par: 70
  • Length: 5,820 meters off the Tips and 5,255 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 88
Fun Rating: 88
Shape Rating: 88

3 tee options available.

Signature Hole – No signature holes found but the nature of the course, with holes running alongside each other, could be a great opportunity to attack the course from start to finish.

A very popular course with the locals and an ideal layout for a fun, social game of golf.

Despite the heavy traffic, it is always in fantastic condition, and the chance of losing golf balls is minimal as the holes run alongside one another.

A good outing to boost confidence when the golfing gods are treating you badly.

8. Nicklaus Golf Club At Lionsgate

nicklaus-golf-club

  • Site Link
  • Location: Overland Park, Kansas.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,628 meters off the Tips and 5,798 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 88
Fun Rating: 89.3
Shape Rating: 86.7

3 tee options available.

Signature Hole – Interesting that no signature hole was identified on the track, but being a Nicklaus design, expect to find every hole worthy of the title.

A natural classic Nicklaus design, this links-style track has it all.

Beautiful views and rolling fairways provide a challenge to both accomplished and recreational golfers.

The rough is extremely tough, should the shot end up outside the 1st cut.

The simple strategy is to hit it straight and use a club where the confidence level is high.

9. Falcon Valley Golf Course

falcon-valley-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Lenexa, Kansas.
  • Par: 36
  • Length: 3,077 meters off the Tips and 2,660 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 88
Fun Rating: 88.9
Shape Rating: 87

3 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 347-meter par 4 9th is the signature hole.

Water, water everywhere. In front of the tee and the length of the fairway on the right.

Not too much relief on the left side which has OB and a bunker.

Tremendous hole to finish the round.

A championship length 9-hole golf course and recently rated within the top 5 9-hole tracks in the Midwest.

It has all the challenges, with sloping fairways, contoured greens, water, and trees to keep your concentration levels up.

If you have time, play this 9.

10. Ironhorse Golf Club

ironhorse-golf-club

  • Site Link
  • Location: Leawood, Kansas.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,297 meters off the Tips and 4,867 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 87.2
Fun Rating: 88.9
Shape Rating: 85.5

4 tee options available.

Signature Hole – Not able to establish the signature hole, but any of the 180-meter plus par 3s on the layout are worthy options.

A solid long iron or hybrid shot is a special feeling for most golfers, so put your skill to the test.

The course has a good combination of wide open and narrow holes, but knowing where to miss the shot, will prevent trees from interfering with the approach to the green.

Spectacular views off the back tees and the par 3s all play on average 183 meters.

A good test for long irons and hybrids.

Other Courses Outside The Top 10

1. Sycamore Ridge Golf Club

sycamore-ridge-golf-club

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 86.9
Fun Rating: 89.6
Shape Rating: 94.1

Front and back 9s different. Creeks, rock formations, and elevation changes feature on the front with an open prairie-like back 9.

2. Overland Park Golf Club | South / North

overlank-park-golf-club-north-south

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 86.4
Fun Rating: 85.8
Shape Rating: 87.1

A very popular golf course with the locals and a great course for a social round of golf with mates.

The holes run parallel to each other and very little chance of losing golf balls.

3. Dub’s Dread Golf Course

dubs-dread-golf-club

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 86
Fun Rating: 89.8
Shape Rating: 82.2

A good layout that presents a fair challenge and the tree-lined fairways and natural grass await stray shots.

Final Thoughts

Kansas has some superb golf layouts to play whether you’re a social or a serious golfer.

Advance planning for a trip to this state will show cost benefits as well as enjoyment.

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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.

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