The Prairie Club, Nebraska — Great Golf, Disappointing Resort Experience We brought a group of 15 for our annual golf trip. Over the years this trip has taken us to some of the best-known courses in the country. Whistling Straits, Erin Hills, Sand Valley, Pebble Beach and Arcadia Bluffs to name a few. Also, some lesser-known gems like The Quarry and Wild Horse, both also in Nebraska. Given that history, we had high expectations for The Prairie Club. The golf courses themselves are genuinely great and deserve credit, but the overall resort experience fell well short of what we've come to expect at this price point, and well short of what a 5-star label (based on cost) should mean. Check-In: Pulling into the circle, there was no clear direction on what to do. We had to track someone down and ask, and were simply told to leave our bags on the ground to be tagged. The check-in process itself was fine (hard to get that part wrong) but the lack of any guidance on arrival set the tone for the rest of the stay. Bar & Dining: This was the low point of the trip. Every time we were in the bar/food area, service felt like an afterthought; the staff seemed put out by having to help. Expect to wait in line for a drink, and to order food well in advance if you actually want it served before you need to be somewhere. The food itself is bar-quality, but priced like a 5-star resort. We ate there roughly five times over the trip, and the experience was consistently underwhelming, with one bright spot: Dani, who served us on our final day, was excellent and the only server who made the experience enjoyable. The bar also closes around 9pm even when guests are still out and about. One member of our group was sitting by the (unlit) fireplace just outside the bar (a designated hangout spot) and was served a double bourbon in a plastic solo cup. Resort prices, plastic cup. Pro Shop: On our second day, playing the Dunes course for the first time, our cart GPS stopped working on the first hole. That course has several blind shots, and the pro shop didn't have yardage books available for purchase to help fill the gap. We called the pro shop from the second tee and were told someone would come out. By the sixth hole, nothing had happened; we called again and were told (somewhat rudely) that they were busy but would still send help. By the ninth hole, still nothing. We mentioned it at the turn and were told again that someone would be sent. We played the entire round without GPS; it came back on around the 18th hole, likely just from proximity to the clubhouse. The GPS failure itself wasn't the real issue; that happens. The issue was being told repeatedly that help was coming when it wasn't. We'd have much preferred an honest "we can't get to you" over the runaround. At close to $1,000 a night, it's reasonable to expect problems like this to actually get resolved. Lodging For the price, the accommodations underdelivered. Water pressure was weak in most showers, and overall, the rooms felt more like a mid-tier hotel than a resort. This while paying roughly $7,200 a night for two full cabins. It wasn't bad, exactly, just significantly overpriced for what it was. Worth noting for golf-and-cigar guys: the property is marked no-smoking throughout, so plan accordingly. Checkout: At the end of the stay, guests are directed to a luggage closet to find and retrieve their own bags. Staff were nonetheless visibly expecting tips at checkout; it wasn't clear what for, given that we located and loaded our own luggage. Bottom Line: The golf at The Prairie Club is good, not revolutionary, arguably a bit overrated relative to the hype, but good. The experience surrounding the golf, however, does not match the price tag. Between the service in the bar, the pro shop follow-through, and the lodging value, they experience was underwhelming. There are other courses in Nebraska offering a better overall experience for significantly less money. Hard to recommend The Prairie Club as currently run.

The Prairie Club did not disappoint. If you want a golf getaway where the courses are spectacular and everything you need is on property, this is it. The Dunes is incredible. The Pines is great but it’s definitely the little brother to the Dunes. We stayed in the Guesthouses, and it had great access to the fun Horse course.

I just spent 3 days and 2 nights at the Prairie Club last week. The golf courses are excellent. The night sky in Nebraska is incredible. The service and overall experience is severely lacking, especially at this price point. So much so that I would not return, despite the great golf courses. The arrival experience was fine, the staff helped our group unload and took care of moving bags to our cabins while we went to grab lunch. Service in the dining area was terrible at every meal during our stay. They are understaffed and the staff that were working didn't seem happy to be there. We seemed to be a burden. At night, they essentially closed up shop while guests were drinking at the bar (around 9:30 or 10pm, not super late). They were stacking chairs, mopping etc. and not really serving anyone unless you asked directly. They literally mopped around my feet while I was standing at the bar waiting for a drink. I should mention that the food itself was very good. Lots of fresh options, from salad to burgers and steak. Every meal I ate was very good. The window that was designed to serve snacks and drinks to golfers seemed to close around 3pm each day, well before we went out for our second tee time. Additionally, there is no service on the courses themselves, just a station that you pass once or twice that sells snacks and drinks. That might be fine, except that it closes at 6, well before the last groups are off the golf course. So bring your own Gatorade I suppose. Also, what halfway house doesn't sell golf balls? This one. When we came in one day we waited for one of the bag drop staff to grab our clubs and clean them...and we waited...they ignored us. Then a member came in behind us and was tended to immediately. So those guys missed out on a nice tip. To top it all off, at check out, the bell staff simply mentioned that our bags were in a room down the hall and that we could get them there when we were ready to load up. The rooms in the cabins have plastic inset showers with little water pressure. At least the beds were comfortable, no issues there. They package the golf and rooms together. So if you assume $250 per round as the greens fee, that left $600 - $800 a night in hotel expenses. At that price point, the service and overall experience needs to be much better. On the courses, conditioning was good. Firm and fast as you would expect. The dunes has big landscape features and is a sight to behold. Lots of fun. The pines is more varied and technical. The combination makes for a great couple of days on the course. We have traveled extensively for golf, to very high-end places and more moderately priced places. I've played 16 of the top 25 public courses in the U.S. This stands out as probably the worst value in golf.

An out of the way golf experience. Played during Veterans gathering May 7-8. Huge bunkers/waste areas, enormus failways, blind shots, tough visual shots selection. Very large greens, hope the wind doesn't blow to hard.

What a special place. The most silent and peaceful golf paradise I’ve ever experienced! I’ve been here twice, both times with a group of 8. Dunes course: So many of your approach shots will look like the Microsoft Windows background IYKYK. Such a fun, deceivingly challenging course - wide fairways but lots of trouble if you end up in the massive natural bunkers/waste areas. Pines: Peaceful, pure, challenging, and lots of variety. I love this course and it’s One of those courses that you’ll remember on your death bed. Bonuses that the food is great, breakfast included, every staff member is SO KIND. This place will hold a special place in my heart as a core memory 1000%!