Wild Horse Golf Club – Played June 2017
- Rankings: Golf Magazine Public #73
- Location: 40950 Road 768, Gothenburg, Nebraska
- Year: 1999
- Architects: Dave Axland & Dan Proctor
- Course Access: Public
- Walking Rules: Carts Available
Score Card Information:
- Gold: 7,030 yards, Par 72, 73.7 Rating/135 Slope
- Black: 6,366 yards, Par 72, 71.1 Rating/126 Slope
- Silver: 5,469 yards, Par 72, 66.1 Rating/110 Slope
- Green: 4,688 yards, Par 72, 67.5 Rating/109 Slope
Round two of the trip was in closer proximity to civilization. Wild Horse Golf Club is about 30-45 minutes from North Platte in Gothenburg. You are greeted with the sign below.
I couldn’t find much on the history of the course other than what is in the intro summary above. I do know that they have lodging onsite for anyone planning a trip to the area. Their website has information on rates and the like. Below is a look at the clubhouse with the lodging options just off to the right.
The practice facilities are small but effective. The driving range plays downhill and has plenty of room despite the optical illusion that it is very short. The putting green is large and has plenty of undulation as can be seen below.
As you might have noticed from earlier pictures there is some tall grass around the property. The locals have a great name for it, Wooga. They even help you with the pronunciation right in the pro shop.
I played the black tees and was lucky to catch the course on a calm day. The wind picked up some on the back, but the staff told me it was nothing compared to the usual breezes. On we go!
Hole 1 – 328 yards – Par 4
First off, here is a look at the tee markers on every hole. Nice and rustic.
The first hole is short, but plenty of concentration is needed. The hole bends to the left. It really requires no more than a long iron off the tee.
After a good tee shot you will most likely have the shot below. The green is open, but most likely that won’t matter with a wedge in your hand.
The photo below shows the slight ridge that splits the green into tiers. It is small but will make distance control tougher on putts.
Below is a look at the simple, understated flags.
Hole 2 – 414 yards – Par 4
You will need to wake up for the second hole as it ratchets up the challenge. The fairway is plenty wide, but a yardage book will help with direction.
Below is a view of the approach.
The green is pretty big and as you can see below has plenty of slope.
Hole 3 – 494 yards – Par 5
While this hole is under 500 yards, it is uphill all the way. I even had the added challenge of playing through the sprinklers!
Here is the second shot.
The green is quite small which makes going for it in two difficult. You also can’t really run it up there due to the large bunker in front.
For such a small green there is big slope. I loved the challenge of this hole.
Hole 4 – 160 yards – Par 3
While the scale of the land is not as big here as it was at Prairie Club that doesn’t mean the holes aren’t awesome. The Wooga just off the tee and the angled green provide a nice look here.
Hole 5 – 339 yards – Par 4
While this hole is short, the long grass looms. If you don’t hit the fairway you probably won’t find the ball.
The second shot has just as much challenge. You will want to favor the right side.
The green slopes right to left plenty. The right side is the far side in the photo below.
Hole 6 – 527 yards – Par 5
This hole curves to the right to a blind landing area. You can bust one here.
The second shot is below. You can see the green in the distance.
The third plays a little up the hill to a sloping green.
Here is another angle.
Hole 7 – 345 yards – Par 4
There is a fairway out there, I promise! Due to the distance, you can take less than a driver for accuracy.
The second shot is much easier than the tee shot. There is really no trouble to worry about.
Hole 8 – 433 yards – Par 4
This hole is one of the longer ones so far. The architect made the fairway wide to accommodate the length. The fairway cants to the right.
The green sits pretty flat compared to the undulating fairway. The right bunker is there, but should only catch really bad shots.
Hole 9 – 143 yards – Par 3
The front nine finishes with a one-shotter. There is more room on the left of the green that it seems. The short yardage and overall room should make this an easy par.
The right side does feature a big slope that runs down and away from the green.
The photo below illustrates the internal contouring of the green.
Hole 10 – 382 yards – Par 4
The tenth plays slightly uphill and doglegs to the right. The further you can cheat up the right side will result in a shorter second shot.
There isn’t much to draw your attention on the approach. If you miss there is nothing to catch it.
The main challenge is the green slope and the runoff areas around it. Due to the short cut, offline shots can roll a good ways from the hole.
Hole 11 – 113 yards – Par 3
I love a good short par 3. We’ve seen some good ones at great courses like Merion and LACC. This one may not be in that class, but it is still fun. Plenty of sand awaits and wind can add more challenge.
Below is the view of the green.
Hole 12 – 393 yards – Par 4
This one has plenty of Wooga to the right so many players will favor the left side. A good line is between the two bunkers in the distance.
The green is guarded on each side by sand, but the opening in front allows for many different types of shots.
The cart entrance behind the green sends you through the trees and adds an interesting touch to the hole.
The contouring is minimal here other than the ridge you can clearly see. This is a chance to make a putt.
Hole 13 – 191 yards – Par 3
Our first par 3 on this side was short, but we change it up for this one playing a bit under 200 yards. With that length, the front bunker is a focal point. I imagine a lot of balls end up in the large bailout area on the right.
Hole 14 – 490 yards – Par 5
This shorter par five is as good a birdie opportunity as you will find. It beds slightly to the left and favors a draw off the tee.
Below is a look at the second shot that plays ever so slightly downhill.
Your third shot must avoid the bunkers, but if you laid up to your favorite number you should be able to stick one close.
This green complex features some of the most interesting contours on the course. You have any number of choices for recovery shots depending on whether or not you want to use the land or fly over it. This is well done.
Hole 15 – 307 yards – Par 4
This short dogleg left really only calls for a long iron or wood off the tee. Long hitters have more of a decision to make regarding the green.
The green is slightly perched after the fairway takes a dip. You can somewhat make out the greenside bunker on the right.
Here is a closer look.
And another one from behind the green.
Hole 16 – 418 yards – Par 4
This one plays a little longer than we have seen, but it is not overly brutal. You will want to avoid the bunker sitting in the fairway to have a good chance at the green.
Below is a look at the approach.
The green has wave-like contours that can filter your ball into some interesting spots.
Hole 17 – 505 yards – Par 5
Like many of the holes here the difficulty level depends on the wind. This is a definite birdie opportunity if playing downwind. Keep your drive a little right of the bunker you can see in the distance.
There isn’t much to the third shot. You do want to stay away from the deep bunker on the left.
Hole 18 – 384 yards – Par 4
The last tee shot requires concentration. The bunkers are definite hazards and to be avoided. Due to the length, you can take less than a driver, but you will want to make sure your line is correct.
The approach is filled with peril in the form of sand all around the putting surface. There is one lone fairway bunker as well to catch any bombers from the tee.
Here is a look at the green from closer.
Wild Horse Golf Club may be one of the best values in America. I believe I paid just over $60 and got range balls with my round. That price was phenomenal considering the greens were some of the smoothest I have ever seen. Quite simply the deal can’t be beaten. If not sure what peak season is out here, but my trip in June featured solid weather and perfect playing conditions. It’s a bit out of the way, but well worth the trip to see Wild Horse Golf Club!