Triple Challenge in North Dakota reviews

OnTheRocks · March 18, 2011

Is it worth the drive from Minneapolis?

I am wondering if anyone has completed the Triple Challenge in North Dakota (Hawktree, Bully Pulpit, Links of ND)?? I am planning a golf trip with some buddies and need your advice. Is it worth the drive?? Was it a good value? How would you rate the courses? Thanks!

jshel · March 19, 2011

On the Rocks,

Hawktree is very good. I haven't played the other two. I have heard mixed reviews on Bully Pulpit (much of the course is pretty average, but some of the holes are spectacular) and Links of ND is supposed to be good.

But it is a long, long ways.

If you are going on a buddy trip from MSP, I would drive up to Giant's Ridge and play there and then play one day at The Wilderness. Way closer, a little more expensive, but way less time in the car and that's work something to me.

OnTheRocks · March 21, 2011

[quote name='jshel' timestamp='1300590257' post='3070529']
On the Rocks,

Hawktree is very good. I haven't played the other two. I have heard mixed reviews on Bully Pulpit (much of the course is pretty average, but some of the holes are spectacular) and Links of ND is supposed to be good.

But it is a long, long ways.

If you are going on a buddy trip from MSP, I would drive up to Giant's Ridge and play there and then play one day at The Wilderness. Way closer, a little more expensive, but way less time in the car and that's work something to me.
[/quote]

Thanks for the info! I have heard a few comments that Bully Pulpit is not worth it. I heard that the Links of ND is the closest thing to Scotland this side of the pond. Decisions, decisions...

OnTheRocks · September 19, 2011

If anyone is thinking of taking this trip, feel free to contact me for info. All 3 courses were very different from one another which I loved. I thought the Links of ND was going to be my favorite, but it turned out to be my least favorite course. Hawktree was a wonderful course, the views at Bully Pulpit are amazing, and the Links is a wonderful links course that can get brutal in the wind! If you have a group of guys and a RV this is a pretty fun road trip.

Skhacker · May 5, 2018

Reviving an old thread. My brother and I are doing this May 24-27th and wondering if anybody else has any input/reviews.

eboettne · May 8, 2018

Reviving an old thread. My brother and I are doing this May 24-27th and wondering if anybody else has any input/reviews.

Wife and I did this last June for a long weekend 2nd anniversary trip. It was a fun loop to do.

Hawktree was blowing 25+ mph all day with lightning greens so we got our butts kicked there. I'm not sure if you've played there but course was in nice shape, some odd holes(looking at you #3) but some cool ones as well.

Bully Pulpit was a little less windy but still got pretty brutal when we hit the back 9 with the holes on the bluffs and through the canyons. It was in good condition though. It was just my 2nd time playing Bully Pulpit and while the views are cool, the holes that play through the badlands on the back 9 are my least favorite on the course. Fairways and greens that seem forced onto hills they have no business being on. Don't get me wrong it's worth playing but if you have a good round going, those holes might make it tough to appreciate the views. We stayed at The Bunkhouse(essentially an outdated double wide) and went to the Pitchfork Fondue and Medora Musical, which was a fun time.

It was my first time playing Links of ND and despite their greens being absolute garbage, it was my favorite course by a mile. The setting on the hillside overlooking Lake Sakakawea is incredible and the course is a really awesome links-esque course. Neat bunkering, interesting layout with tons of variety and a par 3 that I told my wife reminded me of the famous par 3 at Torrey Pines(might have to squint a little though). The best description I've heard of this course was a fellow golfer a couple weeks ago. He said if they built some infrastructure around the course it could be "North Dakota's Shinnecock" and I don't think that's overstating it. I just hope they fixed the greens for you this year.

Ranking the courses I'd say 1. Links of ND 2. Hawktree 3. Bully Pulpit

Skhacker · May 8, 2018

Thanks! I haven't played any of them but it's only about a 3 hour drive from where I am in SK.

Skhacker · May 25, 2018

Links of North Dakota was great. Greens were pristine, fast and true. The staff there were great and treated us like pros. Views of Lake Sakakawea and beautiful skies reminded me of home. Highly recommend. Off to Bully Pulpit South of Medora tomorrow.

jibslider · May 25, 2018

I absolutely love The Links of ND or "Red Mike" as locals call it. I grew up 30 minutes west of there. The wind can be brutal and make for a long day, but the views and solitude are fantastic.

Glad to hear it's in good shape and you enjoyed your round. There was a time it was fairly close to being shut down back in the late 90s. I'm hoping to get out there next summer when I'm home.

Skhacker · May 26, 2018

Played Bully Pulpit yesterday and was a little disappointed. When we booked they told us they were punching the greens the day after our round, but they changed plans and did them a day sooner which was the day of our round. We were able to play the front 9 only (with punched and sanded greens) and the back 9 was closed entirely. Views were nice but wish we would have known and would have planned our trip and route differently.

Played Hawktree in Bismarck this morning and was thoroughly impressed with the course, the staff and amenities, and even the other golfers on the course we were able to chat with.

So my ranking would be The Links in first, Hawktree in a close second, and Bully Pulpit in third. We plan on returning to Bismarck with a group of four of us to play a few rounds later in the summer. Headed back home now. Happy Memorial Day to our American friends!

-hacker and bro

eboettne · May 31, 2018

Played Bully Pulpit yesterday and was a little disappointed. When we booked they told us they were punching the greens the day after our round, but they changed plans and did them a day sooner which was the day of our round. We were able to play the front 9 only (with punched and sanded greens) and the back 9 was closed entirely. Views were nice but wish we would have known and would have planned our trip and route differently.
Played Hawktree in Bismarck this morning and was thoroughly impressed with the course, the staff and amenities, and even the other golfers on the course we were able to chat with.
So my ranking would be The Links in first, Hawktree in a close second, and Bully Pulpit in third. We plan on returning to Bismarck with a group of four of us to play a few rounds later in the summer. Headed back home now. Happy Memorial Day to our American friends!
-hacker and bro

That's really, really disappointing to hear about Bully Pulpit. I really hope they offered you some sort of comped round or incentive. I would be less than pleasant had I driven all that way for half a golf course with punched green, nonetheless. You have the same ranking that I do which seems pretty consistent from when I talk to other people in the area. The only change is some switch Bully Pulpit to 1st but I enjoy Links better. Glad you enjoyed your golf trip to my home state!

Donovan84 · July 1, 2018

I played all three of these 15 years ago, and loved all three. Sounds like Bully Pulpit maybe has lost some of it's luster. But, the setting of that course is amazing. I'd still go and play it just for that reason. Red Mike (Links) is one of my all time favorite courses. Does Hawktree still have those crazy coal tailings in the bunkers? Looks really cool, but was really weird to play out of.

Skhacker · July 2, 2018

I played all three of these 15 years ago, and loved all three. Sounds like Bully Pulpit maybe has lost some of it's luster. But, the setting of that course is amazing. I'd still go and play it just for that reason. Red Mike (Links) is one of my all time favorite courses. Does Hawktree still have those crazy coal tailings in the bunkers? Looks really cool, but was really weird to play out of.

Is that what's in the bunkers? I loved it! Had the consistency of coarse salt, but black. I thought it was very cool.

Donovan84 · September 18, 2018

I played all three of these 15 years ago, and loved all three. Sounds like Bully Pulpit maybe has lost some of it's luster. But, the setting of that course is amazing. I'd still go and play it just for that reason. Red Mike (Links) is one of my all time favorite courses. Does Hawktree still have those crazy coal tailings in the bunkers? Looks really cool, but was really weird to play out of.
Is that what's in the bunkers? I loved it! Had the consistency of coarse salt, but black. I thought it was very cool.

That is what I was told when I was up there years ago.