52% match
For White tees
See landing and roll, for a 12-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min11 HCP9 drills
Scoring47%
Distance Control31%
Visualization18%
Practice Programs
Complete Golf Practice Blueprint for The Bluffs
Discover tailored practice programs for this course.
Total Programs
49
49 complete programs built for this course
Unique Drills
211
Total unique drills across all programs
Skill Pillars
12
Accuracy · Aim · Alignment · Dispersion · Distance Control · Green Reading
Session Durations
7
3 days , 4 days , 5 days , 6 days , 7 days , 8 days , 9 days
AccuracyAimAlignmentDispersionDistance ControlGreen Reading+6 more
The Bluffs Practice Profile
We've mapped a comprehensive practice profile for The Bluffs, identifying the specific skills this course demands most. The skill distribution below shows which areas of your game will be tested most frequently based on the hole-by-hole analysis (hole handicaps, stroke index, yardage, etc.), while the handicap ranges indicate the typical player profiles who perform well here.
Focus your practice on these key skills to maximize improvement and lower your scores. Check the practice programs below for targeted drills that address these specific skills.
Skill Distribution
Scoring 26%Distance Control 21%Precision 18%Accuracy 17%Aim 16%
Handicap Performance Insights
The handicap ranges shown represent the typical performance levels for this course. Players within these ranges can expect competitive scores, while those outside may yield benefits or may need additional practice in the highlighted skill areas to perform at their best.
19.3
Average HCP
10.5
Minimum HCP
34.3
Maximum HCP
Top Drills
Featured Drills for The Bluffs
Most-used drills from for this course. Practice as standalone drills or scroll down for full programs.
Putting18 min
Putting Aid: String Line, 15/25
Make 15 out of 25 putts, underneath the hanging string line.
Short Game26 min
Chip | Rough | Above/Below Feet
Hit two buckets of balls (avg. bucket is 40 balls) from the sloped rough grass; one bucket with balls above feet level, and one bucket with balls below feet level.
Driving Range31 min
Wedges (LW to PW) | Takeaway
Work only on takeaway using wedges only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.
Short Game26 min
Chip | Fairway | Flat
Hit two buckets of balls (avg. bucket is 40 balls) from the flat fairway.
Short Game26 min
Chip | Parallel Piles | Bullseye 2x
Up to 5 players compete to stop a chip shot in the bullseye. The best final score relative to PAR wins the challenge. One bucket of balls per player is needed.
Short Game26 min
Chip | Parallel Ball Lines | 3 Landing Zones
Up to 5 players compete to stop a chip shot inside the landing zone(s). The player with the most points at the end wins the challenge. Up to 80 balls are needed.
Course Details
Everything you need to know about The Bluffs.
Contact Information
📞
Phone
+44 (0)1250 872622
📠
Fax
+44 (0) 1250 872622
✉️Email
hogie@pga.com
Giving lessons at The Bluffs? Get featured here.
Facilities
✓Driving Range
✓Putting Green
✓Chipping Green
✓Practice Bunker
✓Motor Cart
✓Pull Cart
✓Golf Clubs Rental
✗Club Fitting
✓Pro Shop
✓Golf Lessons
✗Caddie Hire
✓Restaurant
✓Reception Hall
✓Changing Room
✓Lockers
✗Lodging on Site
Location
2021 E Main St, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
Course Description
The Bluffs Golf Course is an upscale 18-hole championship golf course located in Vermillion, South Dakota, along the Missouri River bluffs. Established in 1996, the public course offers tee times, memberships, outings, and leagues, attracting golfers of all skill levels from the region. It is situated about 45 minutes from Sioux Falls and 30 minutes from Sioux City, making it a popular destination for a round of golf and a relaxing 19th hole experience. The club features a full-service clubhouse and hosts a variety of events and golf programs.
golf course vermillion south dakota • 18-hole championship golf • public tee times • golf memberships • golf outings tournaments • golf leagues • golf lessons • missouri river bluffs • usga rating 72.5 slope 128 • sioux falls proximity • sioux city proximity • full-service clubhouse • golf events • course scorecard • rates schedule • golf course • championship golf • memberships • leagues • recreation
Course Information
Holes
18
Par
72
Type
Parkland
Architect
Patrick Wyss
Opened
1996
Google Reviews
Business Claimed
⭐4.6(127 reviews)
View on Google MapsThe Bluffs Social Media Presence
Interested in our comprehensive dataset of 40,000 golf courses? Contact us to learn more.
Scorecard
Course Scorecard & Tee Insights
Toggle the colour-coded tees to reveal hole-by-hole pars, handicaps, yardages, and gender-specific ratings for The Bluffs, all within a single responsive scorecard.
Scorecard data available for White
Men's Tees
Women's Tees
Tee Insight:This course plays like a precision gauntlet of short par fours and threes that test iron control and short game under bogey pressure, with back nine slope adding bite to key challenges.No numbers unless essential
B
Blue Tee
Gender: MalePar 725526 yards5053 metersCR 70.0Bogey 92.3Slope 120
Gender: Male
Front Nine · CR 34.7 · BR 45.5 · Slope 116
Back Nine · CR 35.3 · BR 46.8 · Slope 124
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | IN | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | OUT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap | 14 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 12 | 16 | 4 | 10 | 8 | — | 7 | 17 | 15 | 1 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 5 | — | — |
| Yardage | 339 | 417 | 326 | 310 | 132 | 465 | 320 | 160 | 289 | 2758 | 301 | 314 | 145 | 336 | 296 | 470 | 304 | 163 | 439 | 2768 | 5526 |
W
White Tee
Gender: MalePar 725526 yards5053 metersCR 66.4Bogey 87.6Slope 114
Gender: Male
Front Nine · CR 33.1 · BR 43.7 · Slope 114
Back Nine · CR 33.3 · BR 43.9 · Slope 114
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | IN | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | OUT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap | 14 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 12 | 16 | 4 | 10 | 8 | — | 7 | 17 | 15 | 1 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 5 | — | — |
| Yardage | 339 | 417 | 326 | 310 | 132 | 465 | 320 | 160 | 289 | 2758 | 301 | 314 | 145 | 336 | 296 | 470 | 304 | 163 | 439 | 2768 | 5526 |
R
Red Tee
Gender: FemalePar 724627 yards4231 metersCR 66.5Bogey 92.1Slope 109
Gender: Female
Front Nine · CR 33.0 · BR 45.8 · Slope 109
Back Nine · CR 33.5 · BR 46.3 · Slope 109
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | IN | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | OUT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap | 14 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 12 | 16 | 4 | 10 | 8 | — | 7 | 17 | 15 | 1 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 5 | — | — |
| Yardage | 276 | 364 | 256 | 300 | 90 | 379 | 286 | 98 | 253 | 2302 | 250 | 278 | 114 | 292 | 233 | 405 | 253 | 135 | 365 | 2325 | 4627 |
W
White Tee
Gender: FemalePar 725526 yards5053 metersCR 71.2Bogey 99.8Slope 121
Gender: Female
Front Nine · CR 35.5 · BR 49.8 · Slope 121
Back Nine · CR 35.7 · BR 50.0 · Slope 121
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | IN | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | OUT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap | 14 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 12 | 16 | 4 | 10 | 8 | — | 7 | 17 | 15 | 1 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 5 | — | — |
| Yardage | 339 | 417 | 326 | 310 | 132 | 465 | 320 | 160 | 289 | 2758 | 301 | 314 | 145 | 336 | 296 | 470 | 304 | 163 | 439 | 2768 | 5526 |
Programs
Skill-Based Practice Programs for The Bluffs
We studied the course layout and prepared practice programs to lower your scores. The programs are purpose-built for each tee to align with the course strategy. Each program consists of curated drills, with pre-defined modules designed to deliver results.
Filter programs by category (select one)
Showing 49 Programs
% match to course practice profile64% match
For White tees
Set up for success, for a 25-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Short Game~26 min24 HCP9 drills
Alignment32%
Accuracy21%
Scoring19%
Unlock Your Golf Potential
Get personalized coaching and custom training programs tailored to your game.
Get Started68% match
For White tees
Advanced fairway accuracy, for a 1-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Driving Range30-31 min0 HCP6 drills
Scoring29%
Precision20%
Trajectory13%
40% match
For White tees
Control flight, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Driving Range~31 min35 HCP7 drills
Precision33%
Mechanics19%
Aim16%
11 Week Flagship Program for The Bluffs
A complete and progressive long-term development curriculum mapped from easier to harder drills, specifically for The Bluffs. Start with the basics and work your way towards more challenging drills. Commit to 11 weeks of training and get in proper shape. Four days counts as a week.
Weeks 1–2≤ 5 days
Putting · Long (20+ ft)
Hit Cup From Long Distance
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 14.0
Weeks 2–3≤ 4 days
Short Game · Chip
Chip 5–15 Yds From Fringe
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
Week 3≤ 3 days
Driving Range · Wedges (LW,SW,GW,PW)
Perfect your swing: mechanics for wedge success
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
Weeks 4–5≤ 5 days
Putting · 6 ft (2m) only
Focus Aim For 6 Foot Putts
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 11.0
Weeks 5–6≤ 4 days
Short Game · Chip
Stop Chips Near Hole
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
Weeks 6–7≤ 6 days
Driving Range · Driver
Stop Missing Fairways with Driver
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
Weeks 7–8≤ 4 days
Putting · 3 ft (1m) only
Place Every 3 Foot Putt With Maximum Precision
Difficulty: Expert · Program HCP 2.0
Weeks 8–9≤ 3 days
Short Game · Chip
Chip 5–15 Yds From Fringe
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 34.0
Weeks 9–11≤ 7 days
Driving Range · Long irons (4,3,2)
Stop Missing Greens With Long Irons
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
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44% match
For White tees
See landing and roll, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min17 HCP4 drills
Scoring45%
Accuracy30%
Visualization25%
35% match
For White tees
Hit fairways consistently, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Driving Range~31 min35 HCP6 drills
Precision29%
Mechanics22%
Trajectory19%
53% match
For White tees
Chip through gate, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Short Game~26 min34 HCP3 drills
Aim33%
Scoring32%
Alignment25%
76% match
For White tees
Stop on a dime, for a 17-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min17 HCP8 drills
Distance Control19%
Accuracy17%
Scoring16%
70% match
For White tees
Pick line and commit, for a 2-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Short Game~26 min2 HCP4 drills
Aim25%
Distance Control24%
Precision14%
70% match
For White tees
Avoid 3-Putt: Chip Inside Circle
Short Game~26 min17 HCP8 drills
Accuracy29%
Scoring17%
Aim15%
58% match
For White tees
Vary landing spot, for a 22-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Short Game~26 min22 HCP9 drills
Distance Control37%
Alignment16%
Precision15%
61% match
For White tees
Dial in aim, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Short Game~26 min34 HCP8 drills
Aim25%
Alignment18%
Scoring17%
71% match
For White tees
Save par clutch, for a 16-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min15 HCP7 drills
Scoring30%
Accuracy24%
Distance Control19%
77% match
For White tees
Feel the distance, for a 5-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Short Game~26 min5 HCP9 drills
Distance Control21%
Precision20%
Scoring18%
Unlock Your Golf Potential
Get personalized coaching and custom training programs tailored to your game.
Get Started67% match
For White tees
Stop within 2 feet, for a 14-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min14 HCP8 drills
Accuracy32%
Scoring22%
Aim14%
67% match
For White tees
Stop on a dime, for a 23-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Short Game~26 min22 HCP9 drills
Distance Control32%
Alignment17%
Accuracy17%
46% match
For Red tees
Align putter head, for a 11-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Putting15-18 min11 HCP5 drills
Aim39%
Scoring16%
Alignment14%
62% match
For Red tees
Challenge limits, for a 20-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min19 HCP9 drills
Precision22%
Dispersion19%
Distance Control16%
54% match
For Red tees
Feel the green, for a 22-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Short Game~26 min21 HCP6 drills
Distance Control35%
Scoring14%
Trajectory13%
44% match
For Red tees
See landing and roll, for a 13-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min13 HCP6 drills
Scoring41%
Accuracy34%
Visualization25%
18% match
For Red tees
Perfect wedge swing, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Driving Range~31 min35 HCP3 drills
Mechanics45%
Precision28%
Trajectory27%
50% match
For Red tees
Get close to pin, for a 25-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Driving Range31-43 min25 HCP8 drills
Precision34%
Scoring18%
Mechanics11%
69% match
For Red tees
Up-and-down contest, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Short Game~26 min35 HCP4 drills
Scoring30%
Distance Control21%
Alignment20%
58% match
For Red tees
Chip close, for a 17-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min17 HCP7 drills
Accuracy29%
Alignment18%
Distance Control18%
68% match
For Red tees
Pick line and commit, for a 2-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Short Game~26 min1 HCP5 drills
Aim29%
Distance Control19%
Precision18%
57% match
For Red tees
Vary landing spot, for a 29-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Short Game~26 min29 HCP9 drills
Distance Control32%
Alignment23%
Accuracy14%
Unlock Your Golf Potential
Get personalized coaching and custom training programs tailored to your game.
Get Started54% match
For Red tees
Hit intended line, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Short Game~26 min34 HCP6 drills
Aim30%
Alignment27%
Scoring20%
74% match
For Red tees
Pick landing spot, for a 16-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min16 HCP6 drills
Accuracy28%
Scoring21%
Distance Control20%
62% match
For Red tees
Vary landing spot, for a 3-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Short Game~26 min2 HCP3 drills
Distance Control32%
Aim18%
Trajectory16%
69% match
For Red tees
Vary landing spot, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min18 HCP8 drills
Distance Control35%
Scoring21%
Accuracy11%
55% match
For Blue tees
Commit to the stroke, for a 2-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Putting18-30 min2 HCP4 drills
Precision39%
Scoring35%
Alignment10%
41% match
For Blue tees
Achieve long-range accuracy, for a 14-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Putting18-27 min14 HCP5 drills
Dispersion40%
Accuracy30%
Distance Control8%
44% match
For Blue tees
Visualize perfect flop, for a 15-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min15 HCP4 drills
Scoring45%
Accuracy31%
Visualization25%
63% match
For Blue tees
Feel the green, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min17 HCP9 drills
Distance Control32%
Precision15%
Alignment11%
56% match
For Blue tees
Vary landing spot soft, for a 23-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Short Game~26 min23 HCP6 drills
Distance Control29%
Alignment23%
Accuracy20%
55% match
For Blue tees
Control trajectory, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Driving Range30-31 min17 HCP5 drills
Precision29%
Dispersion21%
Distance Control18%
46% match
For Blue tees
Stop missing greens, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Driving Range~31 min35 HCP9 drills
Precision28%
Mechanics20%
Trajectory16%
46% match
For Blue tees
Stop missed shots, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Driving Range~31 min35 HCP6 drills
Precision26%
Mechanics23%
Trajectory18%
Unlock Your Golf Potential
Get personalized coaching and custom training programs tailored to your game.
Get Started64% match
For Blue tees
Chip through gate, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Short Game~26 min35 HCP4 drills
Aim28%
Alignment26%
Scoring13%
76% match
For Blue tees
Thread the needle, for a 17-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min17 HCP6 drills
Precision18%
Accuracy17%
Aim16%
68% match
For Blue tees
Chip through gate, for a 2-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Short Game~26 min1 HCP5 drills
Aim29%
Distance Control19%
Precision18%
62% match
For Blue tees
Up-and-down contest, for a 20-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Short Game~26 min20 HCP7 drills
Scoring31%
Accuracy28%
Visualization11%
64% match
For Blue tees
Vary landing spot, for a 20-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Short Game~26 min20 HCP7 drills
Distance Control33%
Scoring19%
Precision14%
65% match
For Blue tees
Hit intended line, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Short Game~26 min34 HCP6 drills
Aim27%
Scoring27%
Alignment20%
74% match
For Blue tees
Save par clutch, for a 14-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min13 HCP3 drills
Scoring29%
Accuracy21%
Precision13%
73% match
For Blue tees
Vary landing spot, for a 4-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Short Game~26 min4 HCP9 drills
Distance Control22%
Precision20%
Dispersion14%
63% match
For Blue tees
Up-and-down contest, for a 12-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min12 HCP5 drills
Scoring34%
Accuracy28%
Distance Control13%
53% match
For Blue tees
Feel the distance, for a 17-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min16 HCP6 drills
Distance Control38%
Alignment13%
Accuracy13%
80% match
For White tees
Save par on approaches, for a 16-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min16 HCP7 drills
Distance Control29%
Scoring24%
Aim15%
2026
Prepare for Tournaments at The Bluffs
Follow a complete multi-week structured practice program ahead of the upcoming events and arrive prepared.
United States
Triple Pro Scramble
4/12/2026
Tournament
Triple Pro Scramble
all
Open for registration
View full preparation programFAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about The Bluffs
Get answers to common questions about playing The Bluffs and what to expect.
How difficult is The Bluffs for mid-handicap golfers?
From a scoring perspective, The Bluffs challenges consistency. With a slope of 121.0, it remains playable for a wide handicap range. The course rating of 71.2 reflects on scoring relative to par 72.
What tees should a 15 handicap play at The Bluffs?
A 15 handicap golfer should consider tees closer to 5076 yards. The back tees extend to 5526.0 yards, which makes approach shots longer and scoring more challenging.
What is considered a good score at The Bluffs?
With a course rating of 71.2 and par 72, a mid-handicap golfer would typically score in the mid to high 80s. Stronger players aiming to break 72 must manage approach shots and avoid penalty strokes.
How long is The Bluffs and how does yardage affect play?
Measuring 5526.0 yards at maximum length, strategy outweighs power in most scoring situations.
What type of course is The Bluffs and how should I play it?
The Bluffs is designed as a Parkland layout. Overall, the setup will reward players who place the ball in safe positions far from hazards. Also, type of shot is more crucial rather than just trying to gain distance.
What features make The Bluffs strategically challenging?
The combination of a slope rating of 121.0 and yardage reaching 5526.0 yards creates consistent pressure on approach shots. You will need to balance risk and reward, especially on longer par 4s and protected greens.
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