Heritage Hills is southwest Nebraska’s championship test. Designed by Bradford Benz and Richard Phelps and opened in 1981, it’s a parkland layout at 6,715 yards where nearly every hole starts and ends with an elevated tee or green — constant up-and-down that wears on your legs and your scorecard. Lush fairways are bordered by native grasses, and the greens are fast and tricky.
The wind is the story here. It seems to always be blowing in McCook, and locals advise taking one more club than you think and holding on. Shot placement matters more than distance; the native rough punishes the greedy.
It’s the natural first or last stop on a western Nebraska golf trip from Denver — right on the way into the Sandhills. Public play is welcome, and the prairie views from the high points are worth the drive on their own.