If you’ve spent any time chasing a white ball around the Midwest, you know the struggle of finding a "public" course that doesn't feel like a goat ranch. Most of the time, you're stuck between a $150 private club invite or a municipal track where the greens look like a Velcro suit. Then there's Falcon Lakes Golf Course in Basehor, KS. It’s a bit of an outlier. It’s technically a public course, but it plays like something you’d find behind a gated community in the Carolinas.
Honestly, it’s the wind that gets you. Basehor isn't exactly a mountain range. It’s flat-ish, open, and usually breezy. When Jay Riviere designed this place back in 2002, he clearly had a link-style vision in mind. We're talking wide fairways that look inviting from the tee but hide some nasty surprises if you get too greedy with the driver.
What Actually Makes the Layout Different
Most Kansas City area courses are carved out of heavy timber. You hit it offline, you’re punching out from behind an oak tree. Falcon Lakes isn't like that. It’s open. Airy. It feels big. But don’t let the lack of trees fool you into thinking it's easy. The challenge here is almost entirely about the "lakes" part of the name and the undulating greens that can make a three-putt feel like an absolute certainty if you're on the wrong tier.
The par-72 layout stretches out to about 7,100 yards from the tips. That’s plenty of golf for the low handicappers. However, most people are playing the white or blue tees, which sit around 5,800 to 6,500 yards. It’s manageable. But you have to account for the elevation. While it’s a "links-style" course, it has these dramatic drops and climbs that you wouldn’t expect just driving down State Avenue.
The greens are usually the star of the show. They use a high-quality bentgrass that stays remarkably smooth even when the Kansas heat is trying to melt the asphalt in the parking lot. You’ll see local sticks from Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties flocking here specifically because the putting surfaces are consistent. That’s a rare find for a public daily-fee course.
The Signature Stretch
You can't talk about Falcon Lakes Golf Course in Basehor, KS without mentioning the finishing holes. The 18th is a beast. It’s a par 4 that requires a carry over water if you want a short iron in, but the safe play out to the right leaves you a long, stressful approach to a green guarded by—you guessed it—more water. It’s a card-wrecker. I've seen plenty of decent rounds go to die right there in front of the clubhouse windows.
Then there’s the par 3s. They aren't just "filler" holes here. They require actual club selection. Depending on the wind direction, a 160-yard shot can play like 190 or 130. It’s a mental game as much as a physical one.
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The Maintenance Reality
Let's talk about the "expert" side of things. Most golfers don't look at the drainage or the bunker sand quality, but you notice it when it's bad. Falcon Lakes generally stays ahead of the curve. Even after a heavy Midwest thunderstorm, the course sheds water surprisingly well. This is largely due to the way Riviere designed the mounding and the runoff channels.
Zoysia fairways are the gold standard in this region for a reason. They provide that "ball on a tee" lie that makes everyone feel like Tiger Woods for a split second. Falcon Lakes maintains their Zoysia well. It’s thick. It’s lush. It’s that bright emerald green that looks great in photos but, more importantly, provides a consistent base for your irons.
There are criticisms, though. Like any high-traffic public course, the bunkers can get a little thin if the maintenance crew hasn't had a chance to fluff them after a rain. And because it's so popular, the pace of play on a Saturday morning can be... let's just say "leisurely." If you're looking for a two-hour round, don't show up at 9:00 AM on a weekend. You’re looking at four and a half, easy.
Practice Facilities and The "Vibe"
The driving range is grass—thank God. No one likes hitting off those jarring plastic mats that ruin your joints and give you fake feedback on your ball flight. They have a massive putting green and a chipping area too. It’s a legit place to actually practice, not just a place to whack a bucket of balls before your tee time.
The clubhouse isn't a marble palace, and that’s a good thing. It’s comfortable. The Falcon’s Nest Bar & Grill serves actual food, not just microwaved hot dogs. It’s the kind of place where people actually stick around for a beer after the 18th because the view of the finishing hole from the patio is actually worth seeing. It’s a community hub for Basehor as much as it is a golf course.
Why Location Matters More Than You Think
Basehor used to feel like it was halfway to Colorado. Not anymore. With the expansion of the Legends area and the growth out West, Falcon Lakes is now just a quick 25-minute hop from downtown Kansas City. It’s positioned perfectly for people who want to escape the cramped city courses but don't want to drive an hour to get to the middle of a cornfield.
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Being just north of I-70 and right off Highway 24/40 makes it accessible. You see a lot of military folks from Fort Leavenworth down here, along with the corporate types from Overland Park. It’s a melting pot of golfers. You’ll see a guy in a tailored polo playing alongside a dude in a t-shirt and work boots. That’s the beauty of Kansas golf. It’s unpretentious.
Pricing and Value Strategy
If you're looking to play on a budget, you have to be smart about when you book. Their dynamic pricing model means that Friday mornings are going to cost you a lot more than a Tuesday afternoon.
- Weekday rates: Usually very competitive for the quality.
- Weekend peaks: Can get pricey, but still cheaper than the top-tier private-adjacent courses in Johnson County.
- Twilight specials: This is the pro move. The wind usually dies down a bit in the evening, and the shadows across the mounds make for a beautiful walk.
They also offer various memberships and "frequent player" passes. If you live within 15 miles, it’s almost a no-brainer to look into their seasonal options.
Common Misconceptions About Falcon Lakes
People hear "links-style" and they think "no trees." While it’s true there aren't many woods to get lost in, the tall fescue grass that lines the fairways is arguably worse. If you hit your ball into that golden-brown waving grass, just leave it. Don't go in there. You won't find it, and you’ll probably come out with a tick.
Another myth is that it’s a "flat" course. It’s really not. There are several blind tee shots where you have to trust the aiming poles. If you’ve never played there before, do yourself a favor and look at the GPS on the cart. Aiming at the wrong hill can put you in a bunker you didn't even know existed.
The wind isn't always your enemy, either. It’s a tool. Learning how to hit a "knockdown" shot is basically a requirement for playing well at Falcon Lakes Golf Course in Basehor, KS. If you try to launch everything high into the Kansas sky, the wind will take your ball on a scenic tour of the neighboring housing development.
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Technical Course Specs
The course rating is usually around 74.3 with a slope of 134 from the back tees. That’s a "real" golf course. For comparison, your average neighborhood course might be a 115 or 120 slope. This place has teeth.
- Par 3s: Long and guarded.
- Par 4s: A mix of "go-for-it" short holes and "please-just-give-me-a-bogey" long holes.
- Par 5s: Reachable in two if you're a big hitter, but the bunkers are positioned exactly where a "layup" shot wants to land.
Final Advice for Your Round
If you are heading out to Falcon Lakes, bring an extra sleeve of balls for the back-to-back water holes. Don't be a hero on the 18th. Aim for the center of the greens rather than hunting pins, because the slopes will funnel a "good" shot into a "great" one if you play the contours correctly.
Check the wind report before you leave the house. If it’s gusting over 20 mph, pack your patience. The course is designed to be played in the wind, but it requires a different kind of strategy than the typical target-golf you see in the Missouri woods.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Book online: Their website usually has better rates than calling the pro shop directly.
- Arrive 30 minutes early: The range is at the far end of the parking lot, and you’ll want time to get the speed of the greens down.
- Download a GPS app: Unless your cart has the updated screens, having a yardage app helps with the several semi-blind shots on the back nine.
- Check the event calendar: They host a lot of tournaments. Make sure you aren't trying to squeeze in a round during a 144-person scramble.
- Try the burger: Seriously, the grill is better than it has any right to be for a golf course snack bar.
Whether you're a local or just passing through the KC metro, Falcon Lakes offers a specific kind of "big" golf that’s hard to find elsewhere. It’s challenging, it’s usually in great shape, and it doesn't require a country club membership to get past the gate. Just keep it out of the fescue.