The Prairie Club - Pines Course

At a place like The Prairie Club, where there are two courses, the tendency can be to laud one over the other. The Dunes course gets much of the spotlight, but the Pines course is a terrific complement. Both rank in the Top 100 American public course lists.

In fact, the triangle that makes up the 8th, 9th and 13th holes is among my favorite cluster anywhere. The dunes can hide a pin on No. 8, as I witnessed today. No. 9 is a tempting short par 4 that promises trouble if you get greedy with a back hole location. A maze of sand awaits everywhere around the green. No. 13 looks like it was transplanted from Ireland. A gorgeous, massive bunker that sits behind the green is not really in play. But it frames the green site perfectly and provides a handsome backdrop.

The best way that I can sum up the Pines course is that Marsh is trying to elicit aggressive shotmaking. Pull it off and birdies abound.

Continuing on my journey through the Nebraska Sandhills prairie club was my third stop. It’s a beautiful property set against a lovely wooded canyon. I enjoyed the aesthetics of the layout as you got to enjoy the rolling dunes and also a parkland golf environment. The course was in tip-top shape and the architecture was varied enough to be interesting. Though admittedly at my skill level that world is not fully available to me. It’s the type of course you expect when you pay $250, but I’d gladly do so again

While The Dunes Course gets all the accolades at The Prairie Club, I personally prefer The Pines Course. This Graham Marsh design meanders it's way through the Sandhills and back into the pines that sit atop the nearby canyon. This creates and interesting contrast that makes a golfer think his/her way around rather than just bomb it.

My favorite aspect of The Pines is how it neatly rolls from a friendly opening 3 holes into a few more brutish holes, before giving the player another breather, and then repeats this pattern.

The greens at The Pines aren't as severe as The Dunes but are every bit as challenging. The 9th green in particular is one of the most interesting and fun greens I've played.

I can't recommend The Pines enough. Just a joy to play.

Enjoyable experience like always. We had a mix of sun, clouds, wind, heat and cold over a couple of days. Greens played firm and fast, in fact too fast at times given the undulations of the greens and pin placements for the weekend. Fairways were tight and in good shape, although a bit on the thin side for this time of year. Accommodations are always solid, food was great and service was good, golf carts have noticeable wear and having the Dunes Saloon and Pines Canteen closed for the season was a bit disappointing. Overall a great facility with 3 fantastic courses and a well recommended trip for your first time or another repeat trip.

I can certainly appreciate that the Dunes is the more traditionally appreciated course, but it seems like most people come away enjoying the Pines a bit more. Probably just because it's a bit more traditional, but honestly you can't go wrong out here.

Conditioning was great when we played. This course is very playable for all levels of golfer. Your beginner will struggle with all the bunkers but otherwise the number of tees and the wide fairways make it less punishing.

The course starts out with flat, traditional links style holes and then goes back along the canyon only to come back to a few dunes holes and then back along the canyon. If you have a nice round going, buckle up for the last 3 holes. They are a test in a good way. It's really cool to finish up by the clubhouse often with a choice to go for the green in two in front of people sitting on the patio having lunch and drinks.

The Pines' greens tend to have a few more undulations and are smaller than on the Dunes (but not small and not by much in the least).

This place is special. I will always try to return once a year. If you like to play a lot of golf in a day, this is the place. Some groups will get in 54 holes a day. Outside of golf, food, and drinks don't expect a lot more entertainment. That's not what you come here for. It's secluded and quiet and all about golf. They manage to keep an upscale atmosphere that still feels laid back and not pretentious.

My only "complaint" is that the food is generally just good to above average and not great. But honestly, it's still really solid. All of the accommodations are very nice. The cabins along the rim are great for groups of 4. There are double rooms in the lodge that have separate bedrooms that share a bathroom for those traveling in pairs.

One of my favorite places!

The Prairie Club is a remote destination golf club in Northern Nebraska and worth every bit of effort to get to. From the rooms and lodge to the food to the golf everything was well planned out and executed. The Pines course is my favorite of the two although most feel the Dunes is better. The best part of the Pines is how the course moves from rolling prairie holes to holes along the river canyon and weaving throughout the namesake pines, creating a variety unlike almost anywhere. The conditioning is always great, firm And low mow fairways allow endless options for shots into and around the greens. The green complexes appear to be naturally mowed into the ground however it sits. A few are a bit on the extreme side, notably the 9th. The 16th is as tough of a hole and green as any and the 18th is postcard worthy.

The Pines course is almost five-star good, but I gave it four to balance out the overall rating from reviewers so far. I played the course in late October in 2013, a day before a fierce snowstorm cancelled my rounds and closed the resort for the season.
The views of the canyon are nice, although I feel like an opportunity was missed. I was hoping to interact with the cliffs more. How about a thrilling shot over a chasm? Alas, it never comes during the round. Nitpicking aside, between the conditioning and scenery of the course and the secluded vibe of the resort, playing the Pines is a special experience.

The Pines is the easier of the two courses at the Prairie Club but is still enjoyable. I would give the course 4.5 stars and the resort 5. This course has two drivable par fours; however, there are long fours or par four and a halves to balance it out. This course is also a par 73 and the par 5s are different enough to make that work.
The course is strategically bunkered and will reward drives to the correct side of the wide fairways.
Another difference between this course and the Dunes, besides length, are the holes by the Snake River canyon. This is where the course gets its name.
I must mention that the club has everything that a golfer could want. The amenities are top notch as is the service. Between the golf, food and accommodations this place is well worth the drive. Do take advantage of the stay and play packages. If you play 36 a day, then it is a great value.

The pines course is only one of two championship quality courses at this golf destination. The course conditions were excellent. The greens are near perfection. The cabins are a dream for a foursome. The staff took care of us from the moment we arrived. Jesus, the chef, has an incredible menu. If you want a perfect 3 day destination fo your foursome, look no further. It's located south of valentine Nebraska. There is nothing to do but play golf, eat, and play more golf. Perfect for a vacation with your favorite golf partners. If you can go during the week, you'll rarely see other golfers.

Been coming to the Prairie Club going on 7 years, its as good as any place I have played/stayed at. Once you go you will make it a yearly trip. They have 2, soon to be 3, Gil Hanse is signed up for another 18 across the Snake River, courses, The Dunes and the Pines, the Dunes is suppose to be the best of the two, however, I think they are both outstanding. really not "one better than the other" the last 4 or 5 holes on the Pines course are fantastic wouldnt think you were in Nebraska, Once you go you will make it a yearly trip, I know i do.