Top North Dakota Public Golf Courses

🏌️‍♂️ Top North Dakota Public Golf Courses (According to Wikipedia & Course Profiles)

North Dakota might not be the first place that comes to mind for great golf, but it’s quietly home to some of the most scenic and unique public courses in the Midwest. From Badlands backdrops to links-style layouts shaped by wind and prairie, the state offers challenging, affordable golf for all skill levels. Whether you’re exploring the Theodore Roosevelt region or chasing big skies near the Missouri River, these courses deliver memorable rounds with wide-open views and top-tier design.

1. Hawktree Golf Club – Jim Engh
   📍 Bismarck, ND
   🛠️ Dramatic design with black coal slag bunkers
   🌾 Rolling prairie terrain and elevation shifts
   🏆 Frequently ranked #1 in North Dakota by Golf Digest
   💲 Daily fee course
   🗒️ Course site

2. Bully Pulpit Golf Course – Dr. Michael Hurdzan
   📍 Medora, ND
   🏞️ Nestled in the Badlands near Theodore Roosevelt National Park
   🌄 Spectacular views and rugged, natural scenery
   🛠️ Unique holes cut into canyon walls and ridges
   💲 Daily fee, open to public
   🗒️ Course site

3. The Links of North Dakota – Stephen Kay
   📍 Ray, ND
   🏌️‍♂️ True links-style course near Lake Sakakawea
   🌬️ Wind a major factor on wide, undulating fairways
   ⛳ Remote and highly ranked nationally for value
   💲 Public daily fee course
   🗒️ Course site

4. King’s Walk Golf Course – Arnold Palmer Design
   📍 Grand Forks, ND
   🏰 Inspired by traditional Scottish links
   🛠️ Rolling mounds, native grasses, and pot bunkers
   🌳 Mature trees and water enhance layout variety
   💲 Municipal daily fee course
   🗒️ Course site

5. Heart River Golf Course – Jim Engh (renovation)
   📍 Dickinson, ND
   🌊 Located along the scenic Heart River
   🌲 Parkland-style with mature trees and water hazards
   🎯 Offers a good challenge and excellent value
   💲 Public access, affordable rates
   🗒️ Course site

🧠 Why These Courses?

• Top architects: Arnold Palmer, Jim Engh, Michael Hurdzan

• Diverse landscapes: Links-style windswept courses to canyon-carved layouts

• Highly rated: Regularly appear in state and national rankings

• Welcoming access: Public-friendly with affordable green fees