Wild Horse Golf Club, Gothenburg, Nebraska - a Links-Style Golf Course by the Sand Hills of Nebraska

The Wild Horse Golf Club has been described as a combination of Scottish and Irish links-style golf, set amid 300 acres of rolling hills at the fringe of Nebraska's Sand Hills. There's nary a tree or drop of water on the course, which is lined with virtually unplayable rough of thick, native grasses that can grow to two feet tall.

The course, which opened in 1999, features fairly wide fairways that are open and allow players to choose their angle to the hole. In typical links fashion, the fairways are also firm, which can add distance to drives, while also inviting players to play their ball along the ground rather than the customary high, spinning approach shots used on most U.S. courses. There are numerous virgin sand hill sand traps placed strategically in the fairways and around the greens, however, adding to the difficulty and the strategy.

Two additional defenses of this course are the native winds and the greens, both of which are fast. The greens are fairly large, averaging around 6,000 square feet, but it's been reported that finding a flat area on the greens is only an occasional occurrence.

The 18-hole, par-72 course plays to 6,805 yards from the longest (Gold) tees, with a USGA rating of 73.6 and a slope rating of 134 on Blue grass fairways and Bent grass greens.

Some of the most noteworthy holes include No. 8, a par-4 that plays to 451 yards from the longest tees. This is one of the most difficult holes on the course, even though it plays very straight. The difficulty comes from the huge blowout fairway bunker on the left that's nearly as deep as most golfers are tall, and it's reachable off the tee with an assist from the wind. Approach shots then take aim at a green with two large humps that can make for some difficult putting.

Hole No. 11 may appear to be an inviting par-3, playing to a meager 126 yards from the longest tees, while featuring a very large green. That's the beauty of this hole, however, which is guarded by bunkers left, right and in front, while the green is undulating and slopes from right to left, making a two putt here a major accomplishment.

Hole No. 15 has a similar nature - short, but treacherous. This par-4 plays to only 342 yards from the back tees, but several fairway bunkers challenge every tee shot. The green is also guarded by more bunkers front and back, and the putting surface is both tiny and shallow, sloping from the back to the front.

Since its opening, Wild Horse Golf Club has been rated one of the best golf courses in the state and the country. Golfweek magazine ranked it #21 among the Best Modern Courses in 2005. And GOLF Magazine named Wild Horse the 4th Best U.S. Course for Under $50, to name a few of its awards.

Practice facilities include a driving range and practice greens, with lessons also available. The club also features a large brick clubhouse with a pro shop.