GOLF

HUNT

FISH

SPLENDOR ON THE HIGH PLAINS

The Sutton Bay Golf Course sits atop the spectacular landforms of the Missouri river bluffs and overlooks beautiful Lake Oahe. The 18-hole championship course, designed by internationally acclaimed architect Graham Marsh and constructed by Landscapes Unlimited, is a true inland links course with some of the most breathtaking views you’ll ever see from a tee.

The old-school design philosophy gives golf enthusiasts a course they will find charming, rewarding, challenging, fair, and pure in every sense of true golfing tradition.

CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE

The routing of the course with the crossover after the third and sixth holes has been situated to maximize the astonishing views of the lake. This orientation, combined with the double greens at 1/8 and 3/6, contribute to a unique front nine experience.

The return loop captures lake views on five holes while the remaining four holes wind their way through native grasses overlooking fields of sunflowers, wheat, and corn.

As the back nine moves away from the mesa, several natural elevation changes occur.

The drivable eleventh plays downhill 30 feet and the well-bunkered twelfth plays uphill. The long downhill par-three thirteenth offers a plateau green, and a creek bed dissects the par five fourteenth as you climb to the green.

The long and difficult fifteenth hole completes a 180-degree change of direction from the previous five holes and offers a stern challenge regardless of the wind direction.

The final combination of the par three seventeenth and the par five eighteenth will see many rounds of golf either destroyed or redeemed. Some days it will be a torturous journey as you buck the wind along the mesa to Swampy’s. On other days, it will feel like a walk in the park.

SHORT COURSE

The Short Course is extreme and extremely fun. Also designed by Graham Marsh, this course sits in a natural bowl which can minimize the wind’s effects.

All holes are par threes, ranging from 75 to 161 yards, requiring forced carries from tee to green. There are very few collection areas, so if you’re not on the green, you’re probably in trouble. Trees may also come into play depending on pin locations.

Holes six, eight, and nine are often used as the shoot-out holes played as golfers return from the Championship Course.

Raw and rugged, the Short Course is a great warm-up or cool-down before or after your round on the Championship Course.

Total Yardage from Short Tees –1,036 yards
Total Yardage from Long Tees – 1,112 yards
Takes about an hour to play

Short Game Practice Area

Bunkers, got you down? Warm up your wedge in our short game practice area. Spend an afternoon or an hour refining your chipping, putting, and bunker shots.

Driving Range

Our double ended driving range is perfect for warming up prior to playing a round on our Championship Course or for extended practice time.

Putting Course

Gather your group for a fun round on the putting course. With a drink in one hand and putter in the other, you’re sure to have some laughs and make some memories.

Golf Simulator

Our golf simulator is great for individual practice, a guided lesson with one of our golf professionals, or a little competition amongst friends. Play the Sutton Bay course or another world-renowned course you’ve always wanted to play.

Lessons

Ready to take your game to the next level? Our LPGA and PGA Professionals have years of experience with teaching private lessons or group clinics for both experienced players and those new to the game.

THE THRILL OF THE HUNT

Sutton Bay offers world-class pheasant hunting on nearly 5,000 acres of prime hunting land.

Whether you’re hunting for your first or hundredth time, you’ll be challenged by the hunt and wowed by the vast expanse of prairie, farmland, shelter belts, and native grasses. You’ll marvel as the dogs work the fields and flush the birds.

Your hunt begins at our hunting lodge, where you’ll meet your experienced guide and be outfitted for your hunt. We’ll provide safety glasses, ear protection, shells, rental guns, and a fleet of well-trained dogs.

After the hunt, you can relax at the bar in the hunting lodge or warm up in the sauna. The hunting lodge has locker rooms, gun storage, and gun cleaning areas for use after the hunt. Birds will be processed and prepared for transportation before you depart Sutton Bay.

We are firmly committed to your safety and the safety of our members, guests, guides, and dogs. Before each hunt, you will receive safety instructions from your guide. We all depend on your commitment to safety as well. We have a zero-tolerance policy for mixing alcohol with firearms and therefore, drinking alcohol prior to hunting or shooting is prohibited.

Rifle Range

Our rifle and handgun range features hardened steel targets placed at distances of 50 feet to 1,500 yards. Test your long-range skills or sight in your deer rifle. Accuracy will be rewarded with the distant clang of metal on metal.

Sporting Clays

Shotgun skills a little rusty? Head to the five-stand for target practice or a friendly competition. Clay targets fly at different speeds and directions so you can get dialed in for a successful pheasant hunt or brag at dinner.

LURE THE SENSES

Just below the Sutton Bay lodge sits one of the premier walleye fishing destinations in the country. Lake Oahe (oh-wah-he) boasts over 550 square miles of surface water and 2,250 miles of largely untouched river bluffs and shoreline. Walleye, bass, and a variety of panfish abound.

Your guide will provide everything you need for a successful trip, from the right rods and reels to a variety of bait. Fish stories are complementary and always true.

Your fish will be cleaned and packaged or delivered to our chef, who can prepare your catch as an appetizer for your evening meal.

You catch ‘em. We’ll clean ‘em. We’ll cook ‘em.

Bass Pond Fishing

Our bass pond is stocked with both largemouth and smallmouth bass weighing up to five and six pounds. Your tranquil fishing experience will only be interrupted by the thrashing of a fighting bass. Go at your leisure. Rods and tackle available at Hunting Lodge!

INDOOR FUN

Billiards

Our pool table is on the second floor of the “grain elevator” in the lodge. There is plenty of room for shooting pool or shooting the breeze.

Cigar Room

The cigar room is located off the bar. With comfortable seating and a television, it’s a great place to unwind with friends while watching the sun set or watching the game.

Pro Shop

We offer a wide variety of golf essentials and lifestyle apparel. Need a gift or a Sutton Bay memento? You’ll find logoed clothing in all sizes, as well as candles, home decor, and even our own Buffalo Blend coffee. During hunting season, we’ve got you covered with field-tested gear our guides use and love.

Fitness Center

Our fitness center is equipped with treadmills, an elliptical machine, free weights, a stationary bike, a universal weight machine, and a variety of functional training equipment.

Sauna

Saunas are located in the fitness center and on the lower level of the hunting lodge.

Massage & Yoga

We have two massage rooms, aptly named Fin and Feather. Spa lockers are well-appointed and available in the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Schedule a massage when you make your reservation.

Guided Yoga is available by appointment at the Front Desk. Yoga can be experienced at a variety of locations around the property.

OUTDOOR FUN

Walking & Hiking

Walk to the Sutton Bay entry sign, the first tee, around the bass pond, or even down to the water. As you walk, you’ll notice a wide variety of native grasses, wildflowers, and fields teeming with wildlife.

Horseback Trail Riding

Get a taste of the historic Sutton Ranch experience on horseback. You’ll learn about the history of the ranch and see it from a different perspective.

Pontoon Cruise

Take a sunset cruise or a summer afternoon ride on our beautiful tritoon. Snacks and drinks are available upon request.

Fire Pit

Join your friends around the fire pit to see the eighth wonder of the world: a South Dakota sunset over Lake Oahe.

Patio

Our back patio is the perfect place to marvel at the setting sun and enjoy drinks and appetizers with friends.

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