Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club Review

By now we all know that getting a new sticker makes Kathy very happy. She literally gets excited.

Well, today we were able to make Kathy a very happy girl. The weather in South Dakota has been good, and a few days have been great. Today, the weather cooperated, and we were able to play at Elkhorn Ridge golf club, near Spearfish, South Dakota.

We learned it was rated the number 1 best public golf course in South Dakota in 2024.

From the first step into the clubhouse we were not disappointed. Dan welcomed us to the course and gave us one of the best course briefs I have ever had. He also informed us to take the time to look at the views from certain holes, and to pay attention to a few spots on the course that would give us a glimpse into the past. 

As we stepped onto the first tee box we both noticed the lush green grass. The tee boxes, fairways, and greens were all in perfect condition. We commented all day long about how beautiful and blemish-free everything was. Especially for the end of the season.

The course is actually closing for the season in five days. Many courses would have a hard time keeping their course this nice any time during the season. It was impressive for sure.

The course layout was very playable and challenging at the same time. It was almost as if they designed a links course and put it in the South Dakota hills. The more I think about it, the more I lean toward considering it a Heathland Course layout. For sure the layout blended the strategic challenges of links golf with a more serene, inland setting. With minimal tree cover, open and rolling terrain, and features like native grass to provide the visual appeal and strategic hazards throughout, this design truly promoted a strong “ground game” with a focus on shot-making, tactical play, and the ability to play creative, running shots. 

The fairways had ample room to land a good shot, but if you missed, the ball would be lost in very tall native grass. As I mentioned above, there were no trees to speak of.

However, the hills, rocks, and streams made the track a visual delight all day.

The track runs over 7300 yards and has an amazing amount of topography. We most certainly felt the distinct contrast in nines on the Frawley Ranch property.

The two 9s felt very different from each other, but each had its perks and challenges. There were stunning views from every hole!  We found the back nine layout very creative. It has a great mix of uphill, downhill, blind shots, and even an amazing hole that carves through a small canyon.

Prior to arriving in the area, we were warned about the winds in Spearfish and the Black Hills. We were told the area is notable for dramatic variations, most famously the extreme rapid temperature swings caused by the chinook winds. And the heavy winds did make some of the holes along the track play extra long and challenging for us.

Looking over the fairways from the elevated greens, we took notice that the bunkers weren’t just placed to catch errant shots, they were used to ask questions and dictate strategy. Several of the bunkers on the course are guarding the corners of doglegs, waiting in the middle of fairways to challenge me as a long hitter, and protecting greens in a way that demanded precise iron play. The challenge wasn’t just to avoid them, but to play to a position that gave us the best angle to attack the pin *away* from them.

Based on our scorecard, there is no doubt in our mind that Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club is a Birdie golf course.

Although there is plenty of things to do in the area (motorcyle rides, hiking, siteseeing), I would say be sure to add golfing at Elhorn Ridge Golf Club to your list.

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting

Written By:  Marc Festa

COURSE REVIEW SCORECARD

Course:  Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club

Type: Public

Date Played: 26 October 2025

HOLE	PAR	SCORE	COMMENTS
1 – Tee Time Availability	4	4	We were able to get the tee time we requested.
2 – Cost of Green Fees	4	4	A bit pricey for a week day, but playing it was fun and enjoyable. Fees include range balls.
3 – Condition of Tee Boxes	4	3	Tee boxes were in very good shape.
4 – Condition of Fairways	5	4	Great fairways, lush and still very green. The maintence team has done a fabulous job of keeping the track ready for play.
5 – Condition of Greens	4	3	The greens were in great shape, as well as quick and challenging because of the elevation changes.
6 – Length of Course	5	5	Elks (normally Blacks): 7200 yrds; Buffalo (normally Blues): 6540 yrds; Gobbler (normally Whites): 6003 yrds; Eagle (normally Reds): 5071 yrds; Antelope (normally Golds): 4658 yrds.
7 – Hazards	4	3	The difficult rough really directs focusing on hitting fairways even if it meant laying up rather than taking a chance. The bunkers were placed to protect the greens but not hinder overall play.
8 – Starter/Marshal	3	2	Dan – located in the Pro Shop – was our starter. He did an outstanding job briefing us on the layout of the course and what to look for in order to have an enjoyable round!
9 – High Handicap Friendly	3	3	The forward tees were placed to assist in making the round more playable for the higher handicap player.
OUT	36	31
10 – Practice Area	5	5	Driving Range (Fees included balls to use on the range); putting green and bunker area.
11 – Locker Rooms	3	3	Bathrooms available with lockers.
12 – Pro Shop	4	4	Very nice and organzied. Many options for hats, towels, shirts etc.
13 – Location	4	4	Just minutes from Deadwood and Spearfish, off of I-90 at exit 17. After exiting, drive 1/4 mile south on Highway 85 towards Deadwood, take the first left onto St. Onge Road. The golf shop and parking lot is then the second left.
14 – Rental Equipment	4	4	Golf carts are in pristine working condition, very clean, and each has an in-cart iPad with yardages and course map, warnings for rattlesnakes, directions, and speakers for your tunes.
15 – Food Cart	4	4	There was no food cart the day we played. But there was water stops along the track and the restaurant took call in orders to pick something up at the turn.
16 – Restaurant/Club House	4	4	The food at The Miller Creek Pub was good, and the service from the staff was wonderful.
17 – Parking	3	3	Plenty of parking available.
18 – Customer Service	5	4	Great Customer service from everyone we came in contact with!
IN	36	35
TOTAL	72	66	PLAYER: Marc F.  ATTESTED BY: Kathy F.