Dakota Pines Golf Club - Formerly Hastings Country Club

The Hastings Country Club was a private course that opened in its current location in 1961.  The Hastings Country Club actually dates back to the 1920s but it changed its location over time as the club grew and they outgrew their properties. In the last few years it had been struggling financially and was finally put up for sale in 2014.  In late 2015 the club was purchased by by a group of local investors and re-branded as Dakota Pines Golf Club as a semi-private club.

Located in the city limits of Hastings, the course has a very old school feel and is predominately flat but does offer some interesting holes.

4 sets of tees provide a mix of challenges from 5,472 to 6,740 yards

Tees	Yardage	Slope	Rating
Blue	6,740	73.4	133
White	6,382	71.7	130
Gold	5,905	69.6	126
Red	5,472	72.6	130

Hole 1 Par 4

415 | 400 | 380 | 382 yards

The first hole is a great introduction to what you will face during your round at Dakota Pines.  This course features most of its trouble in the form of the tree lined holes that start here on this hole that turns slightly to the right.

From elevated tees you have a good vantage over this dogleg.  A pond down the right plays with your head but should not come into play.  Heavy tree cover down the left side is more of a problem.  A  single bunker also lies down the left side around 240 yards from the tees.

Upon turning the corner on the dogleg you are faced with a fairly open approach to this green.  A single bunker sits short right.  Aside from that one hazard there is plenty of room to miss around this fairly flat green.

Hole 2 Par 4

335 | 315 | 300 | 280 yards

Hole 2 is a short par 4 that plays straight for most of the way before turning slightly right.  This small dogleg at the end of the hole protects the green behind the right tree line, unless a long hitter can confidently play from left to right.

A pair of bunkers pinches the fairway just over 200 yards from the tees.  Laying up short of these on your first shot still leaves only a wedge into the green.

Another pair of bunkers sit short on either side of the green.  This green is fairly deep and another bunker does sit behind the green, hidden from your approach.

Hole 3 Par 5

525 | 500 | 480 | 445 yards

This is the longest hole on the course.  A straight away par 5 that measures 525 yards from the tips.  The only real hazard on this hole are the trees, which line the entirety of the hole from tee to green.

There is a single bunker in the landing zone off the tee down the left side around 250 yards out.

As you can see, if you miss the fairway on these holes, getting back into play can be a daunting task.  Often your only recourse is a punch out through whatever opening in the trees you are afforded.

The approach into this green is receptive.  There is a bunker sitting 50 yards short of the green on the right side of the fairway.  Beyond that, only a pair of bunkers down the left protect the green.  For a short par 5, this is an accessible green.  Provided your tee shot found the fairway that is.

Hole 4 Par 4

432 | 405 | 375 | 351 yards

Very similar to the second hole, this par 4 plays straight most of the way before turning and tucking the green in to the right side of the hole.

The approach into the green must avoid the 2 bunkers that wrap the front corners of the green, as seen here from left of the green.  This is a fairly sizable green so take pin locations into account on the second shot.

Hole 5 Par 4

420 | 395 | 350 | 340 yards

A tough dogleg right.  This hole requires you play as close down the right side as you can.  Ideally playing over the top of the tall tree on the corner is ideal.  Placement here is key to avoid having too long of a second shot (or being blocked out for that shot).

Once you turn the corner, the ground drops down to a collection pond that sits down the right side before again rising up to a wide green.

This green is mildly domed which can repel shots hit around its perimeter.  It is otherwise unprotected with plenty of room to miss on all sides.

Hole 6 Par 3

192 | 174 | 160 | 150 yards

One of the prettier holes on the course.  This mid-length par 3 plays slightly downhill.  A large green and the 2 front bunkers require a good tee shot for par.

Hole 7 Par 5

475 | 465 | 460 | 405 yards
The second par 5 of the front.  This one also plays dead straight.  Similar to the 3rd hole, your primary issue here will be to keep it within the tree lined fairway.

Being a short par 5 this hole is defended in front with a bunker on the left maybe 40 yards short of the green and one more down the right just in front of the green.  It is still a very reachable par 5, especially if played from center-left of the fairway to avoid the tree line down the right.

Hole 8 Par 4

437 | 422 | 355 | 345 yards

A forgettable but long par 4.  From the tee is looks like you are playing into a field on this rather undefined hole.  This one does play as a dogleg left.  The tee shot offers no problems and your second will require an uphill shot to the green.  Play your tee shot further down the right side of the hole to avoid potential tree interference down the left.

Hole 9 Par 3

160 | 150 | 140 | 140 yards
A short par 3 finishes this opening nine.  Provided you can avoid the cluster of 4 bunkers around this green it should be a fairly easy hole.

The green does offer room to miss provided you miss long rather than short, where all four of the bunkers reside.  Seen from the back left corner you can see all of the room there actually is.

Hole 10 Par 5

520 | 510 | 470 | 410 yards

The opening hole of the back starts left of the first tee.  A very similar tee shot awaits you here as on the 1st- an elevated tee box to a hole that doglegs to the right.

A trio of bunkers sits on the corner to protect against cutting distance off the hole.  To clear these is a carry around 250 yards.  On the far side of the fairway is another bunker which pinches down the landing area for your tee shot.

Once you turn the corner you still have about 270 yards left the hole rises towards a large green.  About 50 yards from the green a string of bunkers sits down the left side of the fairway. Across from the last bunker on the left sits another bunker that wraps around the front right corner of the green.

Hole 11 Par 4

402 | 385 | 370 | 311 yards

The 11th is another dead straight par 4.  OB lies down the right beyond the trees, which runs along the outer property line of the course.

In the landing zone off the tee a pair of bunkers straddles either side of the fairway.

Your second must carry the pair of green side bunkers sitting short on either side of another large green.

Hole 12 Par 4

358 | 345 | 330 | 315 yards

Another straight par 4.  A single bunker down the right offers the only hazard off the tee other than the ever present tree line.

Your approach into 12 must avoid 4 bunkers that ring both sides of the green on the front half.  There is room to miss long on this hole.

Hole 13 Par 4

434 | 410 | 350 | 340 yards
The third straight ahead par 4 in a row.  This one plays fairly long but there is little on the hole that offers a problem short of another pair of flanking bunkers covering the front of the green as you approach.

Hole 14 Par 4

408 | 380 | 325 | 318 yards
Probably my favorite hole on the course, the 14th starts probably the best stretch of holes at Dakota Pines.  This is a downhill tee shot into a dogleg left.  The corner is guarded by a pond.  Too long of a shot straight can find the trees.  A shot of maybe 240 yards is ideal to avoid getting into the trees yet leaving a manageable second shot.

Your second is played uphill to a green well protected short with a trio of bunkers.

Again, as long as you miss long there is plenty of room around the green.

Hole 15 Par 3

195 | 180 | 150 | 133 yards
The 15th is a pretty par 3 that plays uphill through a chute of trees into the green.  The green here has no sand so as long as you pick your distance correctly and avoid the trees you should be good.

Hole 16 Par 5

482 | 450 | 440 | 388 yards
The 16th is a double dogleg par 5 that probably takes playing a couple of times to know what to do.  I did not have that advantage but ended up meandering around to a par.

The tee shot requires hitting through a rather narrow slot in the trees.  A bunker sits at the end of the fairway on the dogleg to the left.  I hit driver around 250 yards which flew the bunker and nearly made its way into the trees beyond.  You only need to play a club long enough to reach the dogleg.  Too short and you are blocked on your second.  Too long and you can play right through the turn.

From the corner of the first dogleg this is your vantage point- a blind second into another dogleg- this one turning right.  Playing just left of the last big pine on the right is the best spot to be but really anywhere to the left of that is good and will give you an angle to the green.

If you don't play up far enough on your second you can be left with a blind shot over the hill on the final dogleg.   Your shot into this green must carry three bunkers that sit below the green which plays uphill from the fairway.

A view of the green seen from behind and to the left as you play up the hole shows that the green is relatively small.  I suppose it might be possible to reach this green in 2.  It is short enough but the double dogleg would seem to prevent that possibility unless you have 2 perfectly played shots.

Hole 17 Par 3

210 | 175 | 160 | 119 yards
The 17th is mid length par 3 that is essentially flat.  In keeping with the rest of the holes, a cluster of bunkers guards the front of the green.

Seen from the right of the green you can see that there is not a lot of room behind the green.  This hole sits on the corner of the course so down the right and behind the green is OB.

Hole 18 Par 4
340 | 321 | 310 | 300 yards

The 18th is a quirky finishing hole.  From the back tees you have a narrow window out of the trees by the tee box before the hole opens up.  The hole is a dogleg right that rises pretty severly the entire way to the green.

You can play your tee shot aggressively down the right edge of the tee box or hit a more conservative shot to the center of the fairway.  I hit a good tee shot that landed near the left tree in the picture below.  From there is was just a short pitch onto the green.

From the fairway you have much more of an uphill shot which must avoid yet another pair of bunkers sitting short of the green.

The green here is the deepest on the course and offers two distinct levels.  This picture was taken from behind the green looking back down the hole.

Conclusion

I found playing Dakota Pines a pretty fun experience.  It is not the most exciting of courses with a pretty old school feel and a lot of repetitive design features.  The main thought I had of it was that it reminded me a lot of the Minneapolis municipal course Hiawatha, only with larger greens and much better fairway conditions.  The kind of course I would wish Hiawatha to actually be.  The greens were actually really good.  They played fairly fast and were in great condition.

The heavy tree cover on the course will make those who struggle to hit the ball straight have a lot of trouble.  There are enough trees that once you get into them it is very unlikely you can play your next shot to advance yourself.  Instead you must take a shot to simply get back into play.

This course is almost 30 miles from my house.  With it being that far away I probably wont be back here too often.  I do wish the course the best of luck.  With the financial issues that they have had in the past I hope the new investors can make a go of it. 

Dakota Pines Golf Course

2015 Westview Dr, Hastings, MN 55033

dakotapinesgolfclub.com

(651) 437-4210

Game golf summary 

Insane Golf Trick Shot

Wow. Just wow. The guy on top is just sick but heck I couldn't even do the ball bouncing the guy on the bottom is doing!

Cruising down the fairway with @coach_rusty ⛳️🏌Tag a buddy who needs to try this with you @golf_gods @houseofhighlights @super_athletes @golfdigest @bleacherreport #trickshot #gopro #goprogolf #golfgods #whyilovethisgame #golfswing #houseofhighlights #super_athletes

A video posted by Joshua Kelley (@holein1trickshots) on Nov 25, 2016 at 2:21pm PST

Chimera Golf Club Part 2

Back to Part 1

Hole 10 Par 4

410 | 387 | 361 | 336 yards

The par 4 10th is straight ahead but fairly narrow.  The main feature to catch your eye off the tee are the 2 large bunkers carved into the hill in the right center of the hole.  All down both sides is OB with the range to your right and houses down the left.

The hole drops downhill past the hill with the bunkers.

If you can hit a straight drive 260 yards from the tips you will find the slope that runs down towards the green.  You can easily gain another 40 yards here.  Even from atop the hill you are left with less than 150 yards into the green.

This green is well protected down the right- a side you surely want to avoid.  There is room to miss to the left, provided you don't go long and find the large bunker behind the green.  This is a large green at about 100 feet from front to back and nearly that from side to side.  It does tend to all slope left and back to front.

Hole 11 Par 5

538 | 524 | 505 | 463 yards

Another narrow hole that curves slightly to the right as you play.  Off the tee your first concern is to carry the desert area in front of the tees.  That should not be a problem as it is only 180 yards to reach the fairway.  Still it does pinch the hole down visually for your tee shot.

There is actually a lot of room over the top of the desert down the right side so swing away.  Down the left there is a small bunker at around 250 yards from the tips.

The approach in is wide and inviting encouraging you to go for it in two.  There is a large bunker down the left 50 yards from the green.  Another large bunker wraps the right side of the green.  This green is not elevated at all making for a roll-up onto the putting surface possible.

Hole 12 Par 4

408 | 387 | 367 | 338 yards

This par 4 occupies the north western corner of the property and is a more typical desert style target hole.  Off the tee you must locate the island fairway which is an island surrounded on all sides by sand.  This landing zone turns to the right, as this hole doglegs around to eh right as you play it.

The fairway is fairly large to hit off the tee.  There is a large bunker down the left side of the fairway (though it plays straight on from the tee).  Down the right of this hole the desert is fairly open but a drainage ditch runs down this side making it an area to stay away from.  That bunker plays 250 yards from the back tees so it is reachable.  The fairway actually also runs out less than 300 yards from the back tee so a driver here may not be needed on this shorter par 4.

From the fairway you must clear another swath of desert that traverses across the width of the hole at around 100 yards from the green.

The green is fairly flat but is fronted by a large bunker hugging the right corner and also protected behind with another large bunker that extends almost the entirety of the green.

Hole 13 Par 3

183 | 165 | 149 | 121 yards

Turning opposite the way you just played 12 is the longer par 3 13th.  This hole requires carrying part of the same desert sands that you encountered on the last hole.

This green is 100 feet deep so account for that in your club selection.  Avoid the right side of the green and the 80 foot bunker that lies there.  Another bunker sits back left between the green and the hillside that makes the backdrop of this hole.

Hole 14 Par 4

426 | 408 | 390 | 355 yards

A tough par 4 where the desert in the distance can come into play off the tee.  Hitting down the right side can find the desert and also lead to one of the harder approaches on the course.  The desert area there is actually a pretty large mound making for an awkward stance if you hit into that area.   Aim down the left side on this tee shot.

From here you can see that the mound on the left which is about 280 yards marks the point where the hole falls downhill before rising again near the green.

Over the top of the mound on the right is more trouble with small trees lining the entire approach to the green.

A well placed drive can catch the down slope and lead to an approach that must play from the low spot in the fairway to a huge green that is elevated and guarded by a trio of bunkers short right.

Hole 15 Par 3

200 | 181 | 152 | 130 yards

A pretty par 3 with mountains in the background and a string of palms lining the back of the hole make for a great view.

A straight forward longer hole just avoid the sand left.  A right side pin is the most accessible on another deep green.

Hole 16 Par 4

299 | 281 | 266 | 248 yards

One of the cool things at Chimera are all the little things they do to make a unique experience.  I already showed the Chimera crossing signs.  Similarly, the hole signs are also unique.  Large barrels are used for the signs.  Well done.

The 16th is a short, potentially driveable hole.  The hole does play uphill towards the green so it does have a little protection there.  More worrisome are the two large bunkers that sit on the right side.  The green is tucked behind these two traps making a greened drive one that must carry the length of the hole.

Down the right is the driving range, and down the left is OB with houses nearby.  It is probably best to be conservative here and try for a tight approach.

Aside from the bunkers down the right side in front of the green, another pair of bunkers occupy the corners behind the green.

Hole 17 Par 5

526 | 510 | 411 | 380 | 345 yards

Maybe the prettiest tee shot on the course, you have a slightly elevated vantage point.  You must carry water and avoid the large bunker down the left side.

There is plenty of room for your drive but the left side offers the best angle into the green which is tucked down the right side of the hole.

The green is reachable on your second shot with a good drive, or another generous landing zone awaits.  A large bunker lies on the right about 80 yards from the green.  Another pair of bunkers await short right by the green.  Again, best to stick down the left side of the hole where you can take this sand out of play.

Hole 18 Par 4

440 | 411 | 380 | 345 yards

We were fighting the sun on the last hole which is one of the best holes on the course.  While 17 might be the best tee shot, 18 is the best finish.  Aim your tee shot again down the left.  A ridge runs along the right side and anything hit over there can have a blind approach shot to the undulating green protected by water.

From the right edge of the fairway, your second shot is a real test.  Water up front, palms along the right, and a waterfall cascading along side the left side of the green.  It is pretty much green or bust here!

Another view of the green taken from the 17th hole.

And one last look at the green as you approach from the cart path.  The green is very deep at over 110 feet and has some serious undulations as it slopes from back to front.

Conclusion

Of the courses I played on my Vegas trip, Chimera may have been the biggest surprise.
Wolf Creek was jaw dropping roller coaster fantasyland golf
Conestoga was pure isolated desert golf
Rio Secco has the name cache and the glitz and glam to back it up
Yet while the other courses were memorable each in their own way, Chimera had 2 big things going for it:
1) The green fees are a downright steal compared to other options in the area.  We got the twilight rate but were able to finish 18 before the sun set (just barely).  The course was in great shape, the rental clubs were very nice, and I felt for what we paid we got much more value than I had expected.
2) The course is just plain fun to play.  Sure, it is not the hardest course.  Most of the holes are pretty straightforward.  But if you want to get out and just have fun playing golf on a really well maintained course I would highly recommend trying out!

Chimera Golf Club
901 Olivia Parkway
Henderson, NV 89011  
(702) 951-1500