Doesn’t the Sunflower State just sound like somewhere you’d love to play a round of golf? Kansas has a number of amazing golf courses that you should definitely spend some time at if you’re in the area. 

While there are plenty of exciting things to do in the cool winters and sunny summers in Kansas, golf is a great way to get some light exercise, build relationships with either friends or business contacts, and be out in nature. 

Here are the must-visit golf courses in Kansas. While some of them are private courses that require you to accompany a member, others are public and can be enjoyed at any time.

Colbert Hills - Manhattan

Colbert Hills has been designed on the Kansas Flint Hills, which means it offers excellent and exciting elevation changes which will be challenging but attractive for experienced golfers. It’s a public course, so anyone can play there although you should book your tee time in advance to make sure you don’t come across a fully-booked course when you arrive. The links-style course is challenging, and the elevation changes may be intimidating for new golfers. However, with patience and strategy, golfers will have an amazing round. 

The par-5 7th hole is the signature, which stretches to 600 yards. It features a 100-foot drop from tee to green, and the fairway is heavily guarded with sand traps. The best approach is down the right side of the fairway. A false front on the green will challenge golfers with weak approach shots. 

Buffalo Dunes Golf Course

This muni golf course has hosted a number of top amateur events and is a must-play course when you’re in Kansas.  This 18-hole, 6,806-yard, par-72 course is undergoing renovations at the moment, with tree removal and all 18 greens and bunkers in the process of being revamped. The estimated completion time is in 2026, and will mark the 50th anniversary of the club. The course has great routing, tree-lined fairways, strategically-placed water and bunker hazards, and challenging putting surfaces. This makes for a fun and enjoyable golfing experience for everyone. 

Golfers will find the 4th,10th, 13th, 14th, 16th, and 18th holes to be varied and memorable. Aside from the beautiful course, golfers will find that the staff are passionate about the game and their service, which is excellent. 

Ironhorse Golf Club

This risk/reward course offers golfers 18 diverse holes with sound routing. It’s a public course, so anyone is welcome, although we recommend contacting the club in advance to book your tee time. The Blue River comes into play on many of the holes, with forced carries on a few holes. With the thoughtfully-located bunkering and the water hazard, golfers will have to think strategically. These risk/reward style holes continue on the back nine, making for a challenging round of golf. 

The nature of the course makes it challenging for beginner golfers. Although it’s less than 7,000 yards from the back tees, the terrain requires careful placement of your shots in order to guarantee a good score. While the first hole features a lot of wide-open space, you’ll be met with a challenge on the 2nd hole, which is a tricky par-3 with a tree-lined right side and a couple of elevation drops. 

Sand Creek Station Golf Club

Sand Creek Station offers a private club experience at a public golf course, so the luxury of the playing experience is accessible to all golfers. The course is split by a railway line, and extends 7,359 yards tip to tip from the back tees. Wide fairways help you to set up a good approach shot, and quick greens will challenge golfers with a weak putting game. If you’re playing on a windy day, prepare for an extra challenge. 

Hole 10 is nicknamed “the Beast”, and is the longest par-5 in the state at over 600 yards, and it plays into the wind with multiple water hazards. If you can birdie this hole, you’ll get a t-shirt saying “I conquered the beast”. Other interesting holes include the par-5 4th, which features an extremely contouring green; the par-4 18th, which has a narrow fairway and a bunker-protected green; and the 16th, which is a recreation of the famous Road Hole green. 

Shadow Glen Golf Club

This private golf club should be on every golfer’s bucket list of courses to play! You’ll need to accompany a member if you want to play a round, but as one of the top-rated golf clubs in the state, it's well worth it if you can do that. The 18-hole, par-72 course is kept in outstanding shape, with a great variety in it’s hole lengths. The use of the rugged terrain has helped create a great layout with plenty of challenges that golfers of all skill levels can play. There are rolling elevation changes, tree-lined fairways, true greens, and fantastic putting surfaces, making for an engaging round of golf. 

The best par-3 has to be the 260-yard 12th hole, which drops 70 feet. Golfers will find the 5th hole to be memorable as well, as it’s a par-5, 571-yard hole that has a tricky dogleg left. Golfers will also love the drivable par-4s on this course. The 13th hole is the best, a strong par-4 of 477 yards that doglegs right. The 14th hole tempts a big play. This uphill par-4 has a well-protected small green with contours and is protected by six bunkers that are strategically placed to catch unwary golfers out. 

After reading this, I’m sure you’re ready to plan your Kansas golf-cation. It’s a stellar destination to swing your clubs in, so don’t miss your chance! If you’re here for business, it may be a good idea to suggest a round of golf with your colleagues, or get to know a new prospect on the golf course before going ahead with new business plans or proposals. 

On the other hand, even if you’re here just to have a good time, these must-visit golf courses are lovely spots to get some fresh air, stretch your legs, socialize with friends, and improve your golf handicap.