Kadoka Golf Course

Kadoka Golf Course is a nine-hole layout with sand greens, located near the municipal airport. Sand greens were once common across the Great Plains before irrigation made grass surfaces feasible, and Kadoka is one of the few South Dakota courses that still uses them. Players smooth the putting surface with a drag before each putt, adding a unique rhythm to the round.

There are no carts, no club rentals, and no driving range. Walking is the only option, and fivesomes are welcome. Kadoka bills itself as the “Gateway to the Badlands,” sitting just east of Badlands National Park along Interstate 90. The course is a curiosity worth experiencing for golfers who appreciate the history of the game on the prairie. Green fees are at economy level, and the informal setup means you can show up and play without a reservation.