Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
Rankings:
The Takeaway: One of the most dramatic, engaging, and large scale courses in the world. Tad King and Rob Collins’ first 18 hole course is incredibly memorable, playable, and enjoyable. With full public access, Landmand should be on every serious golfer’s bucket list. Grade A+
Quick Facts
Designer: Rob Collins and Tad King 2022
Cost: $150 Click for current rates
Phone Number: 402-508-2238
Course Website: Official Website - Visit Landmand Golf Club's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 2073 S Bluff Rd, Homer, Nebraska 68030 – UNITED STATES
Photos: See additional photos of Landmand Golf Club
What to Expect: Like Andre the Giant, everything at Landmand is huge; the property, fairways, greens, features and views are all seemingly larger than life. Until you stand on the first tee taking in the panoramic scene across the connecting opening and closing fairways, you can’t quite grasp the scale of the course and property. Meaning “farmer” in Dutch, the Landmand name is a unique one in the golf world but pays homage to the roots of the property and its surroundings. Fairways typically stretch 80-100 yards wide and the greens can tip the scales over a half acre, so if you like coming up with games to play with your buddies, a contest on who can three-putt the least is highly recommended. While some may think the fairway and green sizes are too big, anything smaller would simply look silly on this property. The anti-claustrophobic setting begs for big features under the big Nebraska sky. Plenty of movement throughout the property ensures tee shots and approaches that will ascend, descend, and occasionally play level during the round and adds an extra element to consider before each shot. The amount of variety at Landmand is extraordinary and the number of ways to play the course is nearly endless; a combination that will keep players coming back over and over again. There are a couple of driveable par fours, 135 yards difference between the longest and shortest par three, and par fives loaded with risk/reward features to consider; variety at its finest. The property reaches its highest and furthest away point at the short par three 8th before going through a series of highs and lows while descending back to the clubhouse on #18 where the famous Milk Carton bunker rests. If fun is a factor in how much you enjoy a golf course, I can’t imagine someone teeing it up at Landmand and not loving it. It is certainly one of the best public courses to open in the 21st century and joins the likes of the courses found at Bandon Dunes, Streamsong, Sand Valley, and fellow Nebraskan, The Prairie Club as an incredible destination with compelling architecture. While many people think of the coasts having the best golf courses in the country, Landmand helps build Nebraska's case, alongside Wisconsin, for the Central Time Zone; especially for public access.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 73 | 7200 | 74.7 | 135 |
| White | 73 | 6775 | 72.8 | 132 |
| Green | 73 | 6440 | 71.3 | 130 |
| Yellow | 73 | 6000 | 69.4 | 126 |
| Black | 73 | 5420 | 66.9 | 113 |
| Black (Ladies) | 73 | 5420 | 70.9 | 118 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 17th Hole – 315 Yard Par 4 – I started chuckling with glee when I stepped onto the tee box of the 17th hole at Landmand. Not only are all driveable par fours enjoyable to play, but this one is next level with an expansive view across the property from the tee and one of the wildest greens you will ever encounter. The putting surface encompasses over a half acre of turf with dips, turns, and slopes that will test the best of putters. The elevated tee provides some extra hang time with your drive and delivers a perfect view of the undulations in the green that you will shortly be contending with. Avoiding the surrounding bunkers is critical for success whether you are trying to drive the green or stay short of it, but it is the seemingly endless number of pin placements and undulations that are the biggest consideration when deciding where to place you drive. This hole is flat out fun and one that as soon as you finish you’ll want to head right back to the tee and try again.
Best Par 3: 14th Hole – 240 Yards – A modern day Redan, the 14th at Landmand is a bold design at a length beyond any other Redan I've seen. Tipping out at 240 yards, this one-shotter calls for players to drive their ball to the right third of the green away from the bunkers fronting the left third, and let the ball follow the slope of the green to the left half of the putting surface. The green is twice as wide as it is deep, so distance control will be more important than accuracy since balls missing right still yields a good chance to get up and down while a miss to the left of the target line can still hit the green and hold it. The 14th is a great tribute to a classic design and is done so in an effective fashion.
Best Par 4: 2nd Hole – 365 Yards – By the second hole you should already realize that Landmand is a course of discovery with speed slots, undulations, and lines that are often a mystery the first few times around. One such speed slot is hidden behind the bunker on the raised left side of this fairway where a penetrating tee shot can pair its juice with the sloping terrain to chase a ball up on the putting surface. Most tee shots will trundle left to right to the undulated fairway that can present a variety of different lies to contend with. The approach shot plays to a green that has shallow bowls at each end and bold undulations between that can create very difficult two-putts when traversing from one end to the other. It is a great half par hole that can lead to a bogey as quickly as a birdie depending on how well you implore your strategy.
Best Par 5: 18th Hole – 565 Yards – The 18th at Landmand requires a tee shot to a blind area when playing from the back tees. If you don’t have faith that plenty of fairway awaits beyond the rise by now, then you may never. After successfully navigating the tee shot by avoiding the trouble lining the right side, this hole becomes all about how to approach the green complex where the infamous Milk Carton bunker looms on the left side. Why is it called the Milk Carton bunker? Because players that find themselves entering it could go missing long enough that their face ends up on a milk carton. In addition to the insane depth, the pit hosts a large beehive shaped dirt/sand feature that I managed to make one of my all time best bunker saves from. The green isn’t too crazy relative to the other holes at Landmand and presents an opportunity to score well to finish if you can avoid the Milk Carton bunker. If you can’t avoid it, go buy a ball marker or repair tool that features the carton on it as a memento.
Birdie Time: 7th Hole – 325 Yard Par 4 – There are a handful of half par holes at Landmand and this one is designed to the player’s favor by being reachable from the tee. The uphill drive is assisted by a speed slot up the left side that can help chase balls up onto the putting surface and yield an eagle putt. The large centerline bunker extends for a good portion of the length of the fairway and creates a scenario where the left side of the bunker is tighter, but more rewarding, while the right side is more generous but not as ideal of an approach angle. A bomb up the right side over the hill short of the green can create a kick that sends balls towards the green, however a narrow bunker fronts the putting surface with the short grass chasing balls towards the sand. The length and design of the hole isn't difficult to conquer; it is all about the green. It is one of the most undulated, sloping, and borderline insane greens that you'll ever encounter. However, there are creative ways to get your ball close to the hole by using undulations and design features around the putting surface; so consider all your options before pulling the trigger.
Bogey Beware: 3rd Hole – 445 Yard Par 4 – The 3rd hole is highlighted by a distinct feature; a barranca that traverses up the center of the fairway and splits the short grass into a left half and right half. A tee shot up the left side should shorten the hole a bit but features a raised bunker well short of the green that can create some intimidation when standing in the fairway with a long iron in your hand. A tee shot up the right side features a more generous amount of width to hit to but brings into play a bunker at the front right portion of the green that can create a challenging par save situation. The entire hole plays well uphill so approach shots that come up short are plentiful, but then the sloping fairway makes getting up and down extremely challenging. This is a stout hole that sees few greens in regulation and certainly more bogeys than pars.
