A Grand Forks Golfing Guide

Grand Forks ranks in the top five in coldest cities in America, and yet, golfing in Grand Forks and the surrounding region is one of the most popular things to do.  According to North Dakota Tourism, the state ranks #1 in the United States in golf courses per capita – with no shortage of opportunities in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.

Within the cities, there’s King’s Walk, Valley, Grand Forks Country Club, Lincoln, and Ray Richards.

Let’s take a look at Greater Grand Forks’ golf courses.

King’s Walk was designed by the “The King” of golf, Arnold Palmer, though he never had the pleasure of playing the course.  Opened in 2002, this is a public, links-style course with hills,  bunkers, and water on a few holes.  But its toughest challenge is the tall fescue beyond the boundaries of the rough, which helps the pro shop sell plenty of golf balls.  Designed with five sets of tees, this course sets up nicely for the beginner to the scratch golfer.

Amenities include:

• Large driving range, chipping green, and putting green
• Fully stocked pro shop
• Online tee time booking
• GPS electric carts with coolers and club/ball washers
• Continuous cart path
• Beverage carts
• Club storage
• Casual, but classy, restaurant that services golfers and diners

KW faithful will point to the stretch of holes 13 through 16 as its most challenging run.  And while #9 has a wide fairway, the green hugs water on its front and right, causing many to add a stroke.  I must say, I think the par-3 16^th is my favorite hole on the course.  It’s not too long and is guarded by water on the left and the nasty fescue with hills on the right, but once you’re on the green, it’s a fun putt to line up.  Take your time reading this one… the break might only be visible after you hit your putt.

There are league opportunities for both men (Mondays, Thursdays) and women (Tuesdays).  There’s also Divot a Try, a social ladies’ lesson program for beginners.

Lessons are available from two instructors.  To learn more, I suggest calling the pro shop.

King’s Walk is home to a massive Junior Golf program, usually seeing around 500 kids each year on multiple days of the week.

Valley originally opened in the 1970’s as a nine-hole golf course, but another nine was added in the late 1980’s to round out to a full 18.  However, the infamous Flood of 1997 forced another pivot by the course, which has produced a unique golfing experience in the area.

The front nine plays as a links-style course with rolling hills, large greens, and lots of water while the back nine is rooted (pun intended) with mature trees, narrow fairways, and small push-up greens.  I must say, while challenging, the back nine might be my favorite nine holes in town.

While technically privately owned through stock ownership, this course is open for public play.

Amenities include:

• Driving range, chipping green, putting green
• Pro shop with golf essentials and apparel
• Online tee time booking
• Gas carts
• Beverage carts
• Full bar
• Multi-purpose banquet room

The entire front nine seems to play along water, making just about every hole either memorable or forgettable, but my favorite feature on the front has to be the par-3 hole 7’s green.  This normally plays about 170, the green is shaped similar to a heart, and even though many of the front nine’s greens are tiered, this one is a little more extreme.

The back nine might provide more than one memory as each hole has its own story. Hole 13 plays through a tight window with an elevated green just after water, and the drivable par-4 14^th tees off from the top of the levee.  But if you’ve never played this course before, I promise you will remember hole 18, where you have to play over the levee through the middle of the hole.  If you pay attention, you’ll find that the pin is extra tall for golfers to see when on the tee-side of the levee.  Something I’ve always found memorable!

Valley offers league play for both men and women.  Men enjoy the course to themselves on Tuesdays after noon with league playing in the evening.  Women enjoy leagues on both Tuesday mornings and Wednesday nights.

Lessons are available, and I suggest calling the clubhouse for more information.  Valley also provides Junior Golf lessons on Mondays and Wednesdays.

GFCC has plenty of history, but most people around the area don’t know much about it anymore.  Originally opening sometime around 1928, GFCC began with nine holes outside of East Grand Forks.  While it was a lovely course, it was doomed with constant flooding issues and relocated south of Grand Forks at the confluence of Cole Creek and the Red River in 1964.  It’s quite a lovely course, but it still has occasional flooding issues.

Despite those issues, GFCC is still my top-rated course in Grand Forks.

The country club offers elevation changes, deceptive bunkers, water in play on eight holes, mature trees, and two of the toughest closing holes in the state.  Oh, and the greens can hurt the heavy-handed putter, too.  What helps level the playing field are the five sets of tees plus junior tees to help kids get into the game.

Before you run to set up a tee time, you must know that this is a private club for its members with limited guest play.

Amenities include:

• Driving range, practice hole, and putting green
• Fully stocked pro shop
• Tee time booking through the GFCC app for members
• Electric carts with coolers and club/ball washers
• Beverage Carts
• Locker rooms and club storage
• Quick access to clubhouse before the round and on the turn
• Casual restaurant serving golfers and pool-goers
• Upscale yet relaxed restaurant for members

The country club’s best-known holes include #8 over the pond, #14 with two ponds creating a bottle neck and elevation back up to the green, #15 with a fairway that slants toward danger and a green with hidden breaks, and the par-5 #17 with one of the state’s only suspension bridges.

But the closing holes are what can help or harm a golfer in match play.  Hole #18 has a fairway that funnels anything hit on the right even farther right, and its green is capable of adding 3-5 extra stokes because of its severe slope.

Lastly, #9 is the real gem of the course.  A tee shot with a runway of safety and an oxbow of danger, and then its elevated green with a slippery front and slight-but-challenging reads are what make this hole memorable.

Since this is a private course, things are done a little differently.  There aren’t any “leagues,” per se, but there is member-only competition, such as a 2-man best ball match play, and others.  Ladies’ Days are Tuesdays, Men’s Days are Wednesdays, and the rest of the week is open for family-friendly play.

Lessons are available from two instructors, even to non-members.  Call the pro shop to learn more.

Lincoln is a different course from what it once was, an 18-hole course before the levee was constructed through it and removed half the holes, but it still serves as a wonderful course in the area.  Fun for any skill level – although shorter than most courses, this course is an excellent option for seniors, youth, and beginners.  And yet, a decent golfer such as myself can still struggle without managing the course.

The course is lined with mature trees, has a unique mix of undulation and flat terrain, and has small yet well-placed bunkers.

Amenities include:

• Chipping green and putting green
• Golf shop with the necessities
• Online tee time booking
• Electric carts
• Mullaly Little Links Course

My favorite holes are 4 and 5. Hole 4 is a shorter par-3 with an elevated tee that looks down to the green.  Next is a par-4 that gently sweeps to the right with a sneaky-slick green that defends that best it can against birdies.

This course is one of Grand Forks’ best for golfing opportunities.  While friendly to any skill level, this course has its busy times so making an advanced tee time is advised.

Lincoln features a Tuesday event ladies league and a Wednesday morning men’s league.

An additional feature to this park is the Mullaly Little Links course, which is a FREE kid’s course meant for ages 4-10.  All holes range from 40-120 yards, and this is a wonderful way to promote kids getting into golf (and getting them outdoors).

At the time of writing this article, Ray Richards Golf Course is temporarily closed while a major city road construction project has removed three of its nine holes.  I’m happy to report, though, that plans are to re-open in the course in 2028, according to the University of North Dakota.

What’s especially neat is that it might also include the newest genre of golf: a year-round facility akin to Top Golf.  No promises, as I have no say in its future.

But let me give you a brief walk through the RRGC that I knew…

A proud gift to UND, this affordable 9-holer was a perfect learner’s course while still challenging the modest golfer.  Well-kept greens and subtle water features keep you alert, even if the tee boxes don’t always demand your full attention.

For now, Ray Richards is closed…though not through its own volition.

And this golfer is excited for Ray to return.

Whether you’re visiting the area, relocating to the region, or a life-long resident, you’re going to be thrilled with Grand Forks’ golf scene.  Great golf lives here.  All you need to do is grab your clubs, make a tee time, and enjoy some fresh air golfing Grand Forks.