CapRock Ranch - More great golf in Nebraska

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It’s official - Highway 97 in Nebraska is the path to some of the absolute best golf in America. It’s how to get to the Sand Hills, Dismal River, the Prairie Club, and now Cap Rock Ranch. 

CapRock is a private 18 hole course designed by Gil Hanse. It sits atop the caprock cliffs overlooking the Snake River Canyon. Half the holes run along, approach or carry the canyon.  The rest are on those famous Nebraska Sandhills with natural blow outs, firm fairways and undulating greens.  Hanse says it’s the best piece of land he’s ever had to work with, and that is saying something. 
 

I’m a member of the P Club next door and have been watching them build the course for the last two years, and it finally opened this summer.  Got a chance to play it last week and it lived up to the hype.  

It has the best collection of Par Threes you will find anywhere. Guaranteed.  At the canyon, over the canyon, infinity greens where you will come up short because your subconscious is afraid of going over. 
 

It was super easy to walk - less elevation change than the next door P Club. In fact I think it may be easier to walk than ride which I did on my second loop. Hanse really keeps the cart paths away from the greens - and he keeps the tees right off the back in the same complex on probably half the holes. So you might as well walk. The longest walk is from the club house or car park to the first tee. After that it’s all in a straight line. No zig zagging.  It’s a great routing and good use of the land. It all fits together great. 
 

(Yes, I tried and failed to carry the bunker on the left - all kinds of fairway to the right…)

 
(This Par Three reminds me a bit of Bandon Trails - but it’s over a deep gorge. 

 

The one criticism I have is too many blind tee shots. While walking I ran into the Super who told me Gill was on property the week before and is adding some aim points. 
 

   
 

 
The first of several  “infinity green”  Do you actually fly your ball all the way? Or play it safe and come up short?

 

I came up short both times…

 

 

 

Go right at the flag, or bail out to the right?  It’s only 130 yards…

 

Just don’t go long…

17 is a tricky green with everything running away from you toward the canyon and or the 18th tee box. 
 

Not a lot of courses end with a Par Three, but CapRock does, and it’s a good one. The club house is just above and behind. It’s a great finisher. Also a heart breaker… that bunker is deep deep deep.