The 8 Best Golf Courses in North Dakota – Rated By Real Players

North Dakota has over 100 golf courses to play when in the State.

It offers a variety of 18 and 9-hole layouts that are challenging and pleasant on the eye.

Selecting the 8 best golf courses in North Dakota is subjective, and not an easy 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 8

  1. Bully Pulpit Golf Course
  2. Hawktree Golf Club
  3. King’s Walk Golf Course
  4. Prairie West Golf Course
  5. Rose Creek Golf Course
  6. Osgood Golf Course | Osgood
  7. Souris Valley Golf Course | Souris Valley
  8. Prairiewood Municipal Golf Course

1. Bully Pulpit Golf Course

bully-pulpit-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Medora, North Dakota.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,776 meters off the Tips and 4,888 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 94.4
Fun Rating: 96.4
Shape Rating: 92.3

4 tees options available.

Signature Hole – The 147-meter par 3 15th is the signature hole.

It plays downhill to a “postage stamp” green that falls away on every side.

Talk about accuracy!

A USA top 100 public golf course, the layout has 2 distinct 9s.

The front side plays through the little Missouri River basin and the back 9 through Badlands.

Accuracy off the tee will help to tame this tight but enjoyable track.

A few excellent par 5s on the front offer opportunity to keep the card respectable.

The par 3s are beautiful.

2. Hawktree Golf Club

hawktree-golf-club

  • Site Link
  • Location: Bismark, North Dakota.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,476 meters off the Tips and 5,155 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 92.4
Fun Rating: 94.2
Shape Rating: 90.7

3 tee options available.

Signature Hole – My choice of signature hole is the 298-meter par 4 16th.

A risk and reward hole that tempts the player to go for the green over grunch and a stream.

Miss the play, then expect a big number on the card.

Hawktree is a course with a difference in that black coal slag( dust ) is used as bunker sand.

The track is fun but can play tough if played from the tips.

Risk and reward holes challenge the player throughout the round, and undulations, water hazards, and doglegs both ways keep the pressure on.

Burnt Creek features prominently on 8 of the holes and the size variety of the greens, adds to the challenge.

3. King’s Walk Golf Course

kings-walk-golf -course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,550 meters off the Tips and 5,559 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 91.3
Fun Rating: 93.2
Shape Rating: 89.5

4 tee options available.

Signature Hole – My choice of signature hole is the 367-meter par 5 3rd that requires an accurate tee shot to avoid the ravine and fairway bunker.

A pinpoint layup 2nd allows for a short wedge into the narrow green.

Every shot on this hole has to be precise.

An Arnold Palmer signature course that suits all skill levels provided the correct tee is selected.

The links-type layout gives the impression of playing links golf in Ireland or Scotland and the spectacular holes will thrill all who play here.

The layout flows and rolls around plenty of deep ravines, steep ridges, individual mounds, and 2 large lakes.

Large greens are protected by collection areas, sculptured bunkers, and mounds.

Bring the A-game to this beauty.

4. Prairie West Golf Course

prairie-west-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Mandan, North Dakota.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,116 meters off the Tips and 4,879 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 87.7
Fun Rating: 87.1
Shape Rating: 88.4

4 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 157-meter par 3 12th is the signature hole and a real tester.

It plays over a lake requiring an accurate controlled shot to hit the smallish green.

Take 2 putts and move on!

Prairie West is a true “golfers course” and throws many different challenges in to conquer the layout.

Water features on 10 of the holes and doglegs play around and over the 3 lakes throughout the round.

Over 40 strategically placed bunkers lurk for the stray shot, but the wide fairways invite the driver to be used extensively.

The greens play evenly and the surfaces superb.

5. Rose Creek Golf Course

rose-creek-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Fargo, North Dakota.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,029 meters off the Tips and 5,053 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 86.4
Fun Rating: 86.9
Shape Rating: 85.9

4 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 512-meter par 5 12th is the signature hole and plays from an elevated tee.

Accuracy off the tee is a must as the fairway is protected by a long creek on the left that follows the hole to the green, and a bunker on the right.

The layup 2nd is uphill to a flat landing area, allowing for a short approach to the bunker surrounded green.

Rose Creek has it all for the accomplished or social golfer, but the south-southeast wind can turn it into a great challenge.

OB, sloping greens, doglegs both ways, large deep fairway bunkers, and elevated tees and greens, keep the concentration levels up.

A challenging, but fun layout that all skill levels will enjoy.

6. Osgood Golf Course | Osgood

osgood-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Fargo, North Dakota.
  • Par: 33
  • Length: 2,253 meters off the Tips and 1,335 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 81.3
Fun Rating: 84.4
Shape Rating: 78.1

4 tee options available.

Signature Hole – My choice of signature hole is the 468-meter par 5 2nd.

A slight dogleg left from the tee to the green, water skirts the left side fairway, and the attacking player will require precision on the 2nd shot to a small bunker protected green.

This 9-hole track has 1 par 5, 4 par 4s, and 4 par 3s that can be played and enjoyed by all skill levels,

Off the tips, it is a stern challenge although the wide rolling fairways allow for the “big dog” to eat.

The rough bunkers and native grasses can be tough to play from should a few stray shots come off the club.

7. Souris Valley Golf Course | Souris Valley

souris-valley-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Minot, North Dakota.
  • Par: 72
  • Length: 6,178 meters off the Tips and 5,425 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 75.7
Fun Rating: 80
Shape Rating: 71.3

3 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The stroke 1 index par 4 5th is my choice of signature hole and at 380-meters is medium length but will certainly appeal to the bold player.

Rip it off the tee and leave a short wedge into the green.

Souris Valley course offers stunning views and challenging holes throughout the layout.

A golf course that suits all skill levels.

The course meanders through small trees and the bunkers and rough are playable.

The generous lush fairways will entice most to hit the driver off the tee and get the adrenaline going.

8. Prairiewood Municipal Golf Course

prairiewood-municipal-golf-course

  • Site Link
  • Location: Fargo, North Dakota.
  • Par: 32
  • Length: 2,189 meters off the Tips and 2,052 meters off the Front.

PLAYER RATING

Overall Rating: 75.3
Fun Rating: 78.7
Shape Rating: 72

2 tee options available.

Signature Hole – The 456-meter par 5 4th hole is my choice of signature hole and is the bold golfer’s opportunity to have a go at the green for 2.

Trees line the fairway and water lurks at the back of the green.

A 9-hole golf course that is ideal for the golfer wishing to play before or after work.

It is an intermediate rated track so can be played and enjoyed by all skill levels.

Mature trees and water features add value to the layout.

Final Thoughts

The courses in North Dakota will please the golfer who seeks continued challenges to his game, or the social golfer looking for a pleasant walk with friends or family.

The 9-hole layouts are perfect when time constraints are an issue.

Get out and play!

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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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