Our Picks for The 10 Best Golf courses in Iowa
1. Davenport Country Club
Address: 25500 Valley Drive, Pleasant Valley, Iowa (IA) 52767, USA
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 130
Course Rating: 72.2
Total par (men’s tees): 71
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,468
Scorecard: Link
Designed by Hugh alison when he was running the Colt & Alison design office during the early 1920s out of Detroit. In 2014, Ron Forse and Jim Nagle were called in to upgrade the layout and described it as “retro rebuild.” Davenport Country Club sits amid an amazing set of hills and valleys, approximately a mile from the banks of the Mississippi River.
2. The Harvester Golf Club
Address: 833 Foster Dr, Rhodes, Iowa 50234, Marshall County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 140
Course Rating: 76
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,365
Scorecard: Link
The Harvester opened in 2000 and soon thereafter started showing up on lists ranking the top 100 public courses in America. It is perhaps the finest original creation of Architect Keith Foster. A decade after opening, the course was renovated and in 2018 Keith Foster performed another renovation. The course reopened in 2019.
3. Cedar Rapids Country Club
Address: 550 27th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (IA) 52403, USA
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 125
Course Rating: 72
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,601
Scorecard: Link
Since 1904 the Cedar Rapids Country Club has served as the premier family-friendly retreat in Eastern Iowa. Designed in 1915 by the internationally renowned architect Donald Ross, and immaculately restored by famed “Ross Restorer” Ron Prichard beginning in 2011. Cedar Rapids Country Club has been called one of the prettiest pieces of land in the Midwest.
4. South at Des Moines Golf & Country Club
Address: 1600 74th St, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266, Polk County
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 134
Course Rating: 75.2
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,347
Scorecard: Link
Established in 1899, it established its current site in 1970. In late September 1897, the foundation of the Des Moines Golf and Country Club was established. Six years later, the club relocated next to the Waveland Municipal Golf Course, with tom Bendelow designing the layout.
5. North at Des Moines Golf & Country Club
Address: 1600 74th St, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266, Polk County
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 139
Course Rating: 74.9
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,267
Scorecard: Link
Designed by Pete Dye, ASGCA/(R) Richard Jacobson, ASGCA, the North golf course opened in 1969. The club hosted the US Senior Open 1999 and the Solheim Cup in 2017. The layout emphasizes the curves and dips of the land.
6. Wakonda Club
Address: 3915 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, Iowa 50321, Polk County
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 135
Course Rating: 74.1
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,959
Scorecard: Link
The golf course was designed by William Langford in 1922. The club hosted the Western Amateur in 1947 then the US Amateur in 1963. The Wakonda golf course opened in 1922. Wakonda borrowed its name from the native Indians.
7. Glen Oaks Country Club
Address: 1401 Glen Oaks, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266, Polk County
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Private
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 140
Course Rating: 74.4
Total par (men’s tees): 71
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,898
Scorecard: Link
Designed by Thomas Fazio, ASGCA, the Glen Oaks golf course opened in 1994. The club recently decided to embark on a major renovation project, calling in former Fazio Senior Designer Dennis Wise (who was with Tom Fazio from 1985 to 2012) to carry out the upgrade.
8. Spirit Hollow Golf Course
Address: 5592 Clubhouse Drive, Burlington, Iowa (IA) 52601, USA
Type of field: Parkland
Course access: Public
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 129
Course Rating: 73.6
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 6,580
Scorecard: Link
Ranked as the #1 Best Course You Can Play in Iowa by Golfweek. Architect Rick Jacobson crafted the course in a Risk/Reward style naturally suited for the undulating landscape. The Spirit Hollow golf course opened in 2000.
9. Tournament Club of Iowa
Address: 1000 Tradition Dr, Polk City, IA 50226, Polk County
Type of field: Links
Course access: Public
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 145
Course Rating: 74
Total par (men’s tees): 71
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,043
Scorecard: Link
Tournament Club of Iowa is the only Arnold Palmer Signature Course in the state of Iowa. The Arnold Palmer Design Company has award-winning golf courses in over 37 states and 25 countries. Situated between Saylorville Lake and Big Creek State Park.
10. Blue Top Ridge At Riverside
Address: 3184 Highway 22, Riverside, Iowa (IA) 52327, USA
Type of field: Links
Course access: Public
Length of play: 18-hole course
Slope index: 141
Course Rating: 77.3
Total par (men’s tees): 72
Total yardage (men’s tees): 7,505
Scorecard: Link
Blue Top Ridge offers breathtaking vistas overlooking two rivers, lakes, and Eastern Iowa’s rolling terrain. Designed by Rees Jones and Bryce Swanson, this golf course was built in 2007.
