239 N Ellsworth Rd, Box Elder, South Dakota, 57719
1 Ranking
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Off the Fringe, “Golf’s best short read.” The award winning newsletter, sent twice monthly, that provides an unconventional perspective on the golf world.
Brian Clark
Box Elder
2022-09-25
$41 (cart included), played on Monday, September 2022 at 8:00 AM
I've played all of the courses in the Rapid City area but this 1990 Pete Wiss nine (9) hole designed course for Ellsworth AFB. Made plans for the first tee time so I could play two (2) balls (White & Yellow) and have a eighteen (18) hole score and not make the turn to face a log jam. (Good Choice) The club house sits on the lowest part of the course so everything goes up & down on this ridge with a few scattered trees throughout the course for fairway definition. They have four (4) tees here starting at Blues @ 3,232yds down to Red's @ 2,655yds on this rolling Par 36 layout. I decided to play the Blues as the Whites playing at 3,006yds didn't make that much difference. Tee boxes, Fairways, Sand Traps and greens were in great condition here. The same as one would expect to find a Military barracks in the same shape. The rough grasses were 3"-6" long and kinda burned up as its been kinda dry out here this summer. The greens are good size for the most part but many were "Turtle Back" design so bounce on's don't turn out too good. The #1 is a uphill 389yd Par 4 that has trees framing 180yds in to the blind shot green. The #2 is a slight dogleg 486yd Par 5 that needs 220yds from the Blues to see the green past the inside corner trees. The #3 is a 183yd Par 3 that is slightly up hill and don't miss left/long or you'll get a downhill kick. The #4 is a downhill dogleg right 353yd Par 4 that needs only 200yd hit to the corner flat area to get past the inside trees. If 200yds+ its through the corner and in the swamp/water that runs down the lefthand side to the green. The #5 is a 462yd Par 5 that is all uphill with trees squeezing your tee landing area and another blind green. The #6 is a sharp downhill dogleg left at 356yds that has a 220yd drive cutting corner and landing infront of the waste area, leaving 130yds to the green. The #7 is a tough (slightly up hill) Par 3 at 231yds with the tee box location (trees) with a safe short landing area in front of green. The #8 is a slight dogleg right at 414yds with a forced carry last 100yds in front of the green. The #9 Par 4 at 358yds has water down the righthand side and trees down the lefthand side and is all flat to the green. This is a great conditions course and open for public play as well. Ended up shooting 38 w/15putts on the 1st ball and 40 w/19putts with the 2nd ball. I guess it shows, not always is your 2nd shot better than your first.
Would travel: 10-20 Miles, Not Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Best course in the area
Condition of Course, Pace of Play, Staff, No Houses on Course
$41 (cart included), played on Monday, September 2022 at 8:00 AM
I've played all of the courses in the Rapid City area but this 1990 Pete Wiss nine (9) hole designed course for Ellsworth AFB. Made plans for the first tee time so I could play two (2) balls (White & Yellow) and have a eighteen (18) hole score and not make the turn to face a log jam. (Good Choice) The club house sits on the lowest part of the course so everything goes up & down on this ridge with a few scattered trees throughout the course for fairway definition. They have four (4) tees here starting at Blues @ 3,232yds down to Red's @ 2,655yds on this rolling Par 36 layout. I decided to play the Blues as the Whites playing at 3,006yds didn't make that much difference. Tee boxes, Fairways, Sand Traps and greens were in great condition here. The same as one would expect to find a Military barracks in the same shape. The rough grasses were 3"-6" long and kinda burned up as its been kinda dry out here this summer. The greens are good size for the most part but many were "Turtle Back" design so bounce on's don't turn out too good. The #1 is a uphill 389yd Par 4 that has trees framing 180yds in to the blind shot green. The #2 is a slight dogleg 486yd Par 5 that needs 220yds from the Blues to see the green past the inside corner trees. The #3 is a 183yd Par 3 that is slightly up hill and don't miss left/long or you'll get a downhill kick. The #4 is a downhill dogleg right 353yd Par 4 that needs only 200yd hit to the corner flat area to get past the inside trees. If 200yds+ its through the corner and in the swamp/water that runs down the lefthand side to the green. The #5 is a 462yd Par 5 that is all uphill with trees squeezing your tee landing area and another blind green. The #6 is a sharp downhill dogleg left at 356yds that has a 220yd drive cutting corner and landing infront of the waste area, leaving 130yds to the green. The #7 is a tough (slightly up hill) Par 3 at 231yds with the tee box location (trees) with a safe short landing area in front of green. The #8 is a slight dogleg right at 414yds with a forced carry last 100yds in front of the green. The #9 Par 4 at 358yds has water down the righthand side and trees down the lefthand side and is all flat to the green. This is a great conditions course and open for public play as well. Ended up shooting 38 w/15putts on the 1st ball and 40 w/19putts with the 2nd ball. I guess it shows, not always is your 2nd shot better than your first.