Where the Sand Greens Still Roll
My Introduction to Sand Greens Golf (by Ben Vigil)
Growing up in Nebraska and playing golf provides one with some unique opportunities and experiences. I've been fortunate enough to check off many boxes, from Top 100 courses to playing nearly every 9-hole course in the state.
However, there's been something I've wanted to do for a long time, and finally made it happen this fall. Twice. I played sand greens golf.
If you're not familiar, it's no surprise. Sand greens golf courses have been dwindling for some time. They are leftovers of a bygone era, before underground irrigation and modern turf practices. Golf survived the Dust Bowl in many places by using sand putting surfaces.
Many courses in Nebraska today started with sand greens. Most switched to grass greens when growing turf became more practical. However, a few have held on to the tradition and survived more than a century with their sandy targets.
I had heard about sand greens as a kid, but it did not intrigue me until my adult years. When I had travelled all over the state and had an opportunity to see how many great small town courses are out there.
It became something I wanted to try, and in my position, of course I wanted to make some content around it. I've had invites from the experts, Craig Badura and Tony Chapman, to play Dannebrog Country Club, the most famous of sand greens courses in Nebraska. However, I failed on making that happen. Stay tuned though.
One great thing about cruising around on highways all across Nebraska, is the chance to stop and check out something that a small town takes pride in. Whether it is a historic landmark, a football field, local saloon or cars painted and stacked on top of one another.
In Pawnee City, one of those is Springview Golf Course. Straight south of Omaha, Pawnee City sits less than 10 miles from the Kansas border and is home to one of the oldest sand greens courses in the state.
The town of less than 900 people is home to the oldest continuously published weekly newspaper, the Pawnee Republican, which was established in 1868. The golf course came around in 1922, and recently underwent a renovation. Most notably pushing the first green back across a creek, and adjusting the second hole, which used to used to be played over the 4-H shed. How many sand greens courses have ever gone through a renovation??
Earlier this fall, I was traveling to the Midwest Adaptive Open in Kansas with another staff member, Juliana and drove through Pawnee City. I had my eye out for the course, which I knew was one of the few sand greens courses left standing. I wasn't sure where it was, and we didn't take the time to stop. But on the way back, I knew I had to find it.
We located the Pawnee County Fairgrounds, which Springview winds through. I took the drone up and took the place in. The weather was perfect, and we decided we just had to play a few holes. We didn't have time to play all nine, and I know I need to get back to do that, so we played a loop that included Nos. 1, 2, 8 and 9 (watch our match below).
Thanks to the scorecard next to the fee dropbox (free for 2026 due to the course work), we were able to navigate around, with some help from the tall hole number signs behind each green.
Both of us being novices, and in a hurry, we made some rookie mistakes, of which I've been since informed. It takes some knowledge and technique to properly prepare the sand greens for putting.
My improvement was shown recently at the great Dannebrog. Another coworker, Chad, and I were knocking out some course ratings before the end of the season with a couple volunteers. On our way from Ord to Hastings, we decided to go on another side quest and check out some more sand greens.
This course had a completely different feel. Unlike Fairview, which was located in town, DCC is a few miles east of Dannebrog on Nebraska Highway 58 surrounded by cattle ground. The greens are square, with posts on each corner and a gate on one. This allows for wire to be installed when its time for the cattle to graze the land, keeping them off the greens.
Dannebrog is the "Danish Capital of Nebraska" and the village has dipped under 300 residents. Its the home of Grundlovsfest, when the town celebrates its Danish heritage in early June. A couple months later in August, The Bull Pen Open is an annual golf tournament where you just "show up, sign up and play."
The iconic second hole at Dannebrog Country Club features a sand green surrounded by an old grain bin, creating a three-foot high wall. It's the only circular green out there. Known as "The Bullpen," the 145-yard par-3 offers a thrilling shot, after which you hope the metal clank comes from inside, rather than outside.
It was a little more difficult to find our way around Dannebrog, with no map on the scorecard and no tall signs. However, the flags are numbered, and white benches will lead you to the right spot. Find the next bench, and near it will be markers in the ground pointing you to the green.
Chad is a veteran of sand greens, having grown up in Callaway. Unfortunately, the Callaway sand greens course is no longer in operation. He taught us the proper way to smooth the putting path, and remove the cup, which collects sand as you drag over it. Dannebrog has two rakes at each green, so we developed a great two-man raking system, working in circles outward.
Jules and Chad both took me down in our matches, so I'm still looking for my first sand greens win. My hope is to play all of the sand greens still in existence eventually. From the research I've done, I believe there is 11 courses left. Though I'm sure there may be some others still out there, and some of these may not be operational anymore.
- Buckley Creek Golf Course (Reynolds)
- Burning Sands Golf Course (Scotia)
- Dannebrog Country Club (Dannebrog)
- Fairview Golf Course (Pawnee City)
- Hay Springs Golf Course (Hay Springs)
- Lawrence Country Club (Lawrence)
- Riverside Golf Club (Central City)
- Shell Creek Valley Golf Course (Newman Grove)
- Springview Golf Course (Springview)
- Trenton Golf Course (Trenton)
Hopefully, I'll be able to check all these off someday. If you get a chance, go check one out! Sand greens are an important part of the history of golf in Nebraska, and I'm glad I have been able to experience that.
Do you have a great sand greens story? Or do you know of any courses not listed here? Share it with us on Instagram, Facebook, X or TikTok, or send me an email at bvigil@nebgolf.org.
About NebGolf
The Nebraska Golf Association, founded in 1966, is comprised of all members of public and private clubs and/or municipal or regional golf associations which utilize an approved handicap service recognized by the USGA and provided by the NGA. Our mission is to uphold and promote the game of golf and its values to all golfers in Nebraska. Among the duties of the Association include governance of member clubs and service as their handicapping and course rating authority, conduct of state golf championships, local USGA qualifying & other notable competitions, promotion of junior golf, presentation of worthwhile educational programs and support of allied golf organizations in Nebraska. The Nebraska Golf Association is an Allied Golf Association of the USGA and carries out core services including Handicap Administration and Oversight, Course Rating, Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status, Tournaments and USGA Championship Qualifiers and USGA Initiatives and Community Programs.
