Kansas is home to some of the best golf courses in the United States, as identified by GOLF’s expert panelists as part of their rigorous ratings process. Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson, Kan. took the top spot on the list, with architect Perry Maxwell once proclaiming the site had 118 good golf holes that needed to be narrowed down to the best. Other top courses in Kansas include Flint Hills National in Andover, Kansas City CC in Mission Hills, Shadow Glen in Olathe, and Buffalo Dunes in Garden City. Buffalo Dunes, in particular, has undergone a restoration to return to its roots as Kansas’ best muni, with trees removed, greens and bunkers rebuilt, and parts of the sandy property regrassed to reduce water bills.
GOLF’s rankings process for their Top 100 U.S. and Top 100 You Can Play lists involved providing each of their 127 handpicked panelists with a ballot of 609 courses. Panelists were asked to rank courses into 11 buckets based on their opinions of the course’s quality and overall ranking in the United States. Points were then assigned to each bucket and courses were ranked accordingly. The rankings are based on the expertise and experience of the panelists, who come from 15 countries and have played courses all over the world.
The rankings process is intentionally simple and straightforward to produce widely lauded results. The diverse panel of golf experts ensures that no one opinion carries more weight than another, leading to meaningful consensus in the rankings. The key to the ranking system is incorporating a variety of perspectives and experiences into one comprehensive list of the best golf courses in the United States. This ensures that the rankings are fair and representative of the golfing community as a whole.
For those looking to plan a golf trip in the future, GOLF’s new Course Finder tool can help create the perfect itinerary based on their various lists, including Top 100 public courses, best munis, best short courses, best par-3s, and more. The tool allows users to filter by price and location to find the best courses to play on their next trip. Additionally, GOLF offers podcasts such as Destination GOLF for more travel inspiration and tips on finding the best golf courses near you.
Overall, Kansas offers some exceptional golf courses for enthusiasts to explore. From Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson to Shadow Glen in Olathe, each course offers a unique and challenging experience for players of all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner looking to improve your game or a seasoned pro seeking a new challenge, Kansas has a golf course that will fit your needs. With the help of GOLF’s rankings and Course Finder tool, planning your next golfing adventure in Kansas has never been easier.
