Medora, North Dakota
Bully Pulpit delivers a big punch for adventurous public golfers: championship-scale drama, stunning prairie-and-canyon scenery, and a routing that’s equal parts beauty and challenge. While not a national pilgrimage for most, it’s among the region’s absolute destination rounds, with a singular setting you’ll remember long after you leave Medora.
Bully Pulpit is a bold statement in public golf architecture, routing its holes through the heart of the North Dakota Badlands. Dr. Michael Hurdzan’s design harnesses elevation, prairie openness, and natural canyon walls to create a test that relies on both shot placement and scenery. The course was recently revitalized with strategic reconstruction after flooding, including new green complexes on holes 14 and 16, preserving its challenging but fair character while enhancing resilience and playability. Expect a round shaped by open wind, dramatic visuals, half-blind shot options, and risk-reward calculations at every turn.
Dr. Michael Hurdzan is acclaimed for routing courses that capitalize on raw landscapes—Bully Pulpit channels his signature emphasis on natural movement, environmental stewardship, and player engagement.
A reachable par 5 that runs along the opening of Bully Pulpit’s main canyon, this strategic three-shotter tempts big hitters but punishes poor layups with native rough and angled bunkers.
Long hitters can challenge the green in two if the wind is cooperative, but a safe layup leaves a straightforward wedge. Precision on the second shot to avoid the native junk is key.
Aggressive approaches risk finding the natural badlands brush or deep bunker; a slight miss brings big numbers into play.
Consistently well-kept fairways and greens, especially post-renovation; expect seasonal wind and some native rough encroachment.
Leisurely but steady; dramatic holes and big scenery keep groups lingering, so plan for 4.5–5 hours on busy days.
Laid-back resort-destination energy; adventure and scenery in equal measure.
Standard golf attire recommended; collared shirts, no denim.
Bring extra balls and a jacket—the Badlands breeze is almost guaranteed.
Confirm status of holes/greens before booking, as phased restoration may affect routing.
Save drive time and soak up the full destination experience by staying nearby.
Practice stance adjustments—natural terrain puts you on sidehills and slopes all round.
Course opens (approximate; exact year not found)
Stays in Golf Digest’s North Dakota Top 5 (ongoing trend)
Begins major flood-driven course restoration and green renovation
Hosts NDGA Scramble and state-level events
Continued phased restoration projects; hosts ND Two-Man Scramble Championship
When Dr. Michael Hurdzan set out to create Bully Pulpit, he put the untamed North Dakota Badlands front and center, weaving holes through canyons, over ridges, and onto wide prairie. The result: a course that feels as wild and free as Teddy Roosevelt’s fabled Medora frontier.
After a flood reshaped the land, Bully Pulpit underwent an ambitious multi-year restoration from 2021 onward, strengthening its iconic greens on 14 and 16 and making the course more resilient for generations of golfers and Badlands storms to come.
Golfers arrive here expecting great views but leave talking about the adventure: teed up among buttes, interrupted by wild wind, and surprised by a stretch of holes that ask you to play bold. No other North Dakota course stages such drama from the first shot to the last.
From the Governor’s Cup to the state’s high school championships and NDGA tournaments, Bully Pulpit isn’t just a traveler’s test—it’s where the community’s biggest golf moments happen, making it a hub for local pride and friendly competition.
Named as an homage to Theodore Roosevelt’s famous 'bully pulpit' speeches.
You may spot wild bison and horses from the tee boxes—local wildlife roam the Badlands freely.
Features one of the region’s only holes routed through an actual painted canyon.
Site of charity and local fundraising events nearly every summer weekend.
A modern, acclaimed course known for its black sand bunkers and open prairie design—top regional play just east in Bismarck.
A windswept, minimalist prairie links 2 hours north; one of the state's most celebrated destination rounds.
Solid local option in Dickinson for a casual extra 18 after Bully Pulpit.
Medora—the true heart of the Badlands and home to the golf, the national park, and lively small-town hospitality.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: If Bully Pulpit Golf Course is your kind of course, Sand Hollow Resort Championship Course is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Wailea Golf Club (Gold Course) shares a memorable sense of place, making it a compelling counterpart to Bully Pulpit Golf Course.
Why it matches: Green Mountain National Golf Course is a natural next stop after Bully Pulpit Golf Course: it shares a memorable sense of place.
Community Sentiment
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