Golfing Galore
Hit the ball or throw the disc. We don’t care, as long as you visit some of these area favorites.
By Cyote Williams
Golfing
Iowa has the highest number of golf courses per capita. Grab your bag and an extra sleeve of balls, because there are plenty of quality golf courses within an hour’s drive. Here are a few to check out.
WAVELAND GOLF COURSE
4908 University Ave., Des Moines
www.golfwaveland.com
The oldest golf course this side of the Mississippi River has aged like fine wine. Since 1901, Waveland Golf Course has been one of the best places to play a round in Des Moines for its classic layout that features dramatic terrain nestled among rolling wooded hillsides with significant slopes that challenge the best of golfers.
A.H. BLANK GOLF COURSE
808 County Line Road, Des Moines
www.golfblank.com
Originally built in 1971, it expanded to an 18-hole regulation course in 1985 and has delighted southside Des Moines and area golfers since. The course offers a friendly challenge for golfers of any and all skill levels. Try out the mini-golf course with the family if that is more your speed.
THE LEGACY GOLF CLUB
400 Legacy Parkway, Norwalk
www.thelegacygolfclub.com
The Legacy Golf Club is located just south of Des Moines. Bentgrass in the fairways and Kentucky bluegrass in the rough are well-manicured to create an excellent golfing experience. There is also a full practice facility and GPS on the golf carts. They say, “Our mission is to provide you great service and great golf at a great value.” Sign us up.
TOURNAMENT CLUB OF IOWA
1000 Tradition Drive, Polk City
www.tcofiowa.com
It is probably a good sign when your golf course is associated with one of the greats, Arnold Palmer. Tournament Club of Iowa is the only Arnold Palmer Signature Course in the state. Arnold Palmer and his team created TCI’s beautiful course layout in 2003. It cuts through the dramatic bluffs and running ravines between Big Creek Dam and Saylorville Lake.
HONEY CREEK GOLF CLUB
1323 Noble Lynx Drive, Boone
www.golfhoneycreekiowa.com
This course is a short drive north of Des Moines and was designed by Iowa native Bradford Benz. Honey Creek is one of the more unique golf courses in the Midwest, with a variety of golf holes carved out of the natural landscape that pose a fun, beautiful challenge to golfers.
Disc golfing
Disc golfing has boomed in popularity in recent years and for good reason. A day at one of the metro’s best disc golf courses provides a great workout while enjoying the more relaxed version of golf.
PICKARD PARK
2205 E. Second Ave., Indianola
www.experienceindianola.com/attractions/pickard-park-disc-golf-course/
Pickard Park is the choice for pros in Iowa. The Disc Golf Pro Tour makes a stop at this course for the Discmania Challenge every year. For you non-pros, the course is still open all year round and provides a tough but fun experience.
WALNUT RIDGE
West side of Saylorville Lake off of N.W. Beaver Drive, Johnston
www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234696
Walnut Ridge has multiple challenging holes. The woods require tight throws, sharp corners necessitate deft skill shots, and wide open fairways test arm strength. All of this is along Saylorville Lake, providing a beautiful view.
SOUTHWOODS PARK
DISC GOLF
350 S. 35th St., West Des Moines
www.wdm.iowa.gov/government/parks-recreation/parks-trails-facilities/southwoods-park-disc-golf-course-reservations
One of the newest disc golf courses in the area is a delight for new and experienced players alike. The layout has a combination of open holes and lots of technical wooded shots. Some water is in play with loads of great elevation. What was once an overgrown nine-hole course has been reinvigorated into one of the best courses across the entire state.
GRANDVIEW DISC GOLF COURSE
2300 E. 32nd St., Des Moines
www.dsm.city/departments/parks_and_recreation-division/places/disc_golf.php
One of the metro’s longer courses, this one will test the speed and power at which disc golfers can throw. With a mix of long open fairways, sharp dogleg corners and winding woodland shots, this course on Des Moines’ east side is a local treat.
EWING PARK
5121 Indianola Ave., Des Moines
www.dsm.city/departments/parks_and_recreation-division/places/disc_golf.php
This has become a favorite course for Des Moines disc golfers with a mix of classic holes and some modern ones, too. Reviews say the long throw on hole 10 is a sight to behold. Just keep track of your disc while it is on the way down.
Golfing
Iowa has the highest number of golf courses per capita. Grab your bag and an extra sleeve of balls, because there are plenty of quality golf courses within an hour’s drive. Here are a few to check out.
WAVELAND GOLF COURSE
4908 University Ave., Des Moines
www.golfwaveland.com
The oldest golf course this side of the Mississippi River has aged like fine wine. Since 1901, Waveland Golf Course has been one of the best places to play a round in Des Moines for its classic layout that features dramatic terrain nestled among rolling wooded hillsides with significant slopes that challenge the best of golfers.
A.H. BLANK GOLF COURSE
808 County Line Road, Des Moines
www.golfblank.com
Originally built in 1971, it expanded to an 18-hole regulation course in 1985 and has delighted southside Des Moines and area golfers since. The course offers a friendly challenge for golfers of any and all skill levels. Try out the mini-golf course with the family if that is more your speed.
THE LEGACY GOLF CLUB
400 Legacy Parkway, Norwalk
www.thelegacygolfclub.com
The Legacy Golf Club is located just south of Des Moines. Bentgrass in the fairways and Kentucky bluegrass in the rough are well-manicured to create an excellent golfing experience. There is also a full practice facility and GPS on the golf carts. They say, “Our mission is to provide you great service and great golf at a great value.” Sign us up.
TOURNAMENT CLUB OF IOWA
1000 Tradition Drive, Polk City
www.tcofiowa.com
It is probably a good sign when your golf course is associated with one of the greats, Arnold Palmer. Tournament Club of Iowa is the only Arnold Palmer Signature Course in the state. Arnold Palmer and his team created TCI’s beautiful course layout in 2003. It cuts through the dramatic bluffs and running ravines between Big Creek Dam and Saylorville Lake.
HONEY CREEK GOLF CLUB
1323 Noble Lynx Drive, Boone
www.golfhoneycreekiowa.com
This course is a short drive north of Des Moines and was designed by Iowa native Bradford Benz. Honey Creek is one of the more unique golf courses in the Midwest, with a variety of golf holes carved out of the natural landscape that pose a fun, beautiful challenge to golfers.
Disc golfing
Disc golfing has boomed in popularity in recent years and for good reason. A day at one of the metro’s best disc golf courses provides a great workout while enjoying the more relaxed version of golf.
PICKARD PARK
2205 E. Second Ave., Indianola
www.experienceindianola.com/attractions/pickard-park-disc-golf-course/
Pickard Park is the choice for pros in Iowa. The Disc Golf Pro Tour makes a stop at this course for the Discmania Challenge every year. For you non-pros, the course is still open all year round and provides a tough but fun experience.
WALNUT RIDGE
West side of Saylorville Lake off of N.W. Beaver Drive, Johnston
www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234696
Walnut Ridge has multiple challenging holes. The woods require tight throws, sharp corners necessitate deft skill shots, and wide open fairways test arm strength. All of this is along Saylorville Lake, providing a beautiful view.
SOUTHWOODS PARK
DISC GOLF
350 S. 35th St., West Des Moines
www.wdm.iowa.gov/government/parks-recreation/parks-trails-facilities/southwoods-park-disc-golf-course-reservations
One of the newest disc golf courses in the area is a delight for new and experienced players alike. The layout has a combination of open holes and lots of technical wooded shots. Some water is in play with loads of great elevation. What was once an overgrown nine-hole course has been reinvigorated into one of the best courses across the entire state.
GRANDVIEW DISC GOLF COURSE
2300 E. 32nd St., Des Moines
www.dsm.city/departments/parks_and_recreation-division/places/disc_golf.php
One of the metro’s longer courses, this one will test the speed and power at which disc golfers can throw. With a mix of long open fairways, sharp dogleg corners and winding woodland shots, this course on Des Moines’ east side is a local treat.
EWING PARK
5121 Indianola Ave., Des Moines
www.dsm.city/departments/parks_and_recreation-division/places/disc_golf.php
This has become a favorite course for Des Moines disc golfers with a mix of classic holes and some modern ones, too. Reviews say the long throw on hole 10 is a sight to behold. Just keep track of your disc while it is on the way down.