Category: Course Spotlight

A Trip Worth Taking

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Smoky Hill Country Club

Course Location: Hays, Kansas
Travel Time >> Kansas City: 4 hours, Wichita: 2 hours, 40 minutes, Garden City: 2 hours, 20 minutes

  • Course Rating: Men: Black 70.6/126 | Women: Gold 70.3/129
  • Par: Men: 71 | Women: 72
  • General Manager: Kirby Garrison
  • Golf Professional: Weston Coss
  • Superintendent: Justin Vanek
  • Course Website: https://www.smokyhillcc.com/

Some of the best golf in Kansas can be played on your way through the state. Many golfers traveling west will take Interstate 70 to get there, but what they might not realize is that there are many golf courses worth playing off the highway. Golfers can break up their trip with a stop at Smoky Hill Country Club in Hays.

About the Course

Smoky Hill Country Club presents an 18-hole golf course with over 370 active golfing and social members. Smoky Hill offers a very challenging tree-lined course with several bodies of water that golfers need to negotiate their shots over.

Hole 13 is arguably the most challenging par 5 in the western half of the state; the distance totals 531 yards. Golfers will need to hit a nice tee shot in order to have a good look at carrying the water for their next shot. With an elevated green this hole is very tough to make a birdie.

With the progressive thinking members who belong to the club, Smoky Hill is constantly looking for ways to improve their experience from the dining room, swimming pool amenities, and golf course improvements.

Along with their active membership, Smoky Hill has recently hosted the 2021 Kansas Junior Amateur and the 2020 Tee Fore Two Championship. CLG enjoys hosting events at Smoky Hill because of the high-quality venue and vibrant community.

“The Junior Amateur at Smoky Hill Country Club was a great experience for players, parents, and staff. Kirby and his team went above and beyond to provide a prestigious atmosphere and top notch golf course for our biggest junior championship of the year.”

– Taylor Albritton, CLG Director of Junior Golf

Plan your visit

Golfers not only have the Country Club to enjoy while they are in town but there are also many shops and restaurants in the historic district of downtown Hays. Favorite restaurants include Gella’s Diner and Lb. Brewing Co. and Breathe Coffeehouse. Other notable activities include a visit to Fort Hays State Historic Site and the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

Do you have questions or need more information? Visit: https://www.visithays.com/

Course Spotlight: Hesston Golf Course

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  • Course Location: Hesston, Kansas
    • Travel Time >> Kansas City: 3 hours, Wichita: 40 minutes, Garden City: 3 hours, 20 minutes
  • Head Golf Professional: Zach Frey
  • Course Rating: Men: Black 73.2/131 | Women: Red 68.3/116
  • Course Website: https://www.hesstongolf.com/

About the Golf Course

Located in Hesston, Kansas, Hesston Golf Course provides wide and lush zoysia fairways and greens that are firm and fast. With five sets of tee markers, this golf course provides a fair challenge for all playing abilities. Kansas’ topographical layout doesn’t provide for many elevation changes, so the designers of Hesston Golf Course elevated every green on the course. This provides a chance for an interesting lob or flop shot if you miss the green, challenging your short game imagination. Bring your pushcart or carry your clubs, Hesston Golf Course is a walking-friendly course!

The Best Parts of the Course 

One of the signature holes is the par-four 5th. This dogleg left has a dramatic elevation change to the putting surface. Golfers who cut off too much of the dogleg could end up in the pond or out of bounds. Traditional players get the benefit of added length from the tee and are left with a long approach to a very elevated and small green. Par is a fantastic score from here.

The real signature at Hesston Golf Course is actually the group of par threes. Depending on the wind, driver off the tee isn’t unheard of. There are long-time players at the course who say that they’ve hit everything from an 8-iron to a driver on the par threes.

Membership Information

  • Full access to our beautiful 18 hole facility
  • Access to our newly renovated driving range
  • Discounted Tournament Entry Fees
  • Payment plans that help fit a membership into your budget! 

More information about Membership to Hesston GC can be found here: https://www.hesstongolf.com/membership

Planning Your Trip

Interested in visiting Hesston for a day trip or part of a golf weekend away from home? Be sure to visit one of their most popular restaurants while you are in town! Must-visit restaurants include Hesston Bakery, El Cerrito Mexican, Burger Garage, Water’s Edge.
Questions or need more information?
Contact the Hesston Chamber of Commerce and Convention/Visitors Bureau
620.327.4102 or chamber@hesstonks.org