I didn't expect to find one of the better golf experiences within striking distance of Sioux Falls sitting just across the Iowa line in Larchwood — but here we are.
The Falls Golf Course at Grand Falls Casino Resort has that rare thing: consequence without pretension. The fairways roll honest, the greens hold their speed, and the layout makes you think without making you suffer. I've played courses that punish for sport and courses that coddle — this one just asks you to play actual golf.
It's a 20-minute drive south on I-29, which means it lives in a strange geographic pocket where it's close enough to feel accessible but far enough that it doesn't end up on everyone's weekend rotation. That's worked in its favor. The pace stays reasonable, the tee times open up, and you're not waiting on every par three behind a bachelor party that rented clubs an hour ago.
The front nine opens wide — driver-friendly if you're confident, strategic if you're not. The back nine tightens up, brings water into play, and rewards patience over power. I watched a guy in our group try to bomb a par five and end up in the creek twice. The course smiled politely and moved on.
What it doesn't have: a clubhouse scene, a pro shop worth browsing, or the kind of maintenance budget that keeps everything dialed in at Augusta levels. The edges show a little wear — cart paths crack, signage fades. But the bones are good, and the greens run true, which is what actually matters when you're standing over a six-footer.
If you're driving down from Sioux Falls and want 18 holes that respect the game without trying to be something it's not, Grand Falls Blvd will get you there. Bring your A-game or don't — the course won't judge either way.
— Grace
I watched a guy in our group try to bomb a par five and end up in the creek twice.