Dismal River Club: Red
Mullen, NE, United States • Private
![dismal-river-red-fifteen](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/course-photos-for-places-to-play/dismal-river-red-fifteen.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725.suffix/1653843636356.jpeg)
LC Lambrecht
![137 - Dismal River (Red) - back nine overview - Jon Cavalier.jpeg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2019/01/08/5c33f6172fa4575949207c4a_137%20-%20Dismal%20River%20(Red)%20-%20back%20nine%20overview%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.966.544.suffix/1573162701278.jpeg)
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
![137 - Dismal River (Red) - 18th hole - Jon Cavalier.jpeg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2019/01/08/5c33f61247886f2d34f6ece1_137%20-%20Dismal%20River%20(Red)%20-%2018th%20hole%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.966.544.suffix/1573162710990.jpeg)
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
![137 - Dismal River (Red) - front nine - Jon Cavalier.jpeg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2019/01/08/5c33f615bc9d282d38b367f2_137%20-%20Dismal%20River%20(Red)%20-%20front%20nine%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.966.544.suffix/1573162718483.jpeg)
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
![137 - Dismal River (Red) - Jon Cavalier.jpeg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2019/01/08/5c33f619468c17579c7c7292_137%20-%20Dismal%20River%20(Red)%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.966.544.suffix/1573162694461.jpeg)
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
![137 - Dismal River (Red) - 14th hole - Jon Cavalier.jpeg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2019/01/08/5c33f60fbb5e322cd0481951_137%20-%20Dismal%20River%20(Red)%20-%2014th%20hole%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.966.544.suffix/1573162697066.jpeg)
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
![137 - Dismal River (Red) - 10th hole - Jon Cavalier.jpeg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2019/01/08/5c33f60e2fa4575949207c48_137%20-%20Dismal%20River%20(Red)%20-%2010th%20hole%20-%20Jon%20Cavalier.jpeg.rend.hgtvcom.966.644.suffix/1573162715672.jpeg)
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier
Overview
In adding a companion 18 to the Jack Nicklaus-designed White Course at Dismal River, Tom Doak created as organic and amorphous a design as anyone is liable to do in the U.S., simply following the flow of the land and locating greens with breathtaking backdrops. Doak walked the site several times before routing it, utilizing the existing folds of the land for his holes. His associate Brian Slawnik then mowed out the proposed fairways, which spread across the landscape into wide splotches, even flowing into adjacent fairways. Then Doak personally hand-shaped the greens. All but four of the putting surfaces took less than an hour apiece to transform from raw land to seedbed. There are no formal tee boxes, just broad, freeform pads with a couple of yardage posts. One gets the feeling that you could play the Red Course backwards to equal delight.
About
Awards
![100 Greatest the Second 100](/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/awards/100Greatest_Second100FINAL.png)
![Best Courses in Every State](/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/awards/BestCoursesInEveryState_FINAL.png)
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked since 2017.
2023-'24 ranking: No. 185.
Previous ranking: No. 154.
Highest ranking: 131st, 2017-'18.
Best in State: Ranked second, 2015-'22. Ranked inside the top five, 2011-'14. Ranked inside the top 10, 2009-'10.
Current ranking: Fourth.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Spectacular course in a spectacular setting."
Read More2023
Review
“A very good Doak course with greens that are puttable. No tee markers, just pick where the players wants to hit from."
Read More2023
Review
“An excellent fun course to play. Not as difficult as the Nicklaus course but more interesting."
Read More2021
Review
“One of the most fun courses you will ever play, The design variety is outstanding and there are a few holes you will never see again."
Read More2018
Review
“One you could play everyday and not get bored. Some very unique holes. Beautiful setting. One of Doak's best."
Read More2018
Review
“One of the best courses in the country. Amazing setting, wonderful routing, fantastic greens"
Read More2018
Readers
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