Golf in Iowa

[shakogolfer78]

Next Friday marks the first day of my spring break, and I was thinking about taking a road trip down to Iowa to play 36 a day for a weekend. I was wondering if any courses are or will be open by then and which ones are the best value. I been watching the Tour play in Florida and I can't wait any longer to go and play. What courses do you recommend in Iowa? Thanks

[texaseagle76]

Shako78...thats a push tryin to make Iowa a early spring golf destination. I grew up in Ames and we were lucky to find a day worth a darn until early April. You want to get on down to KC or Oklahoma. Get down to Tulsa and play all the public course. There is a 36 hole complex that is great. Its on West side of river, cant recall the name. There is a nice 36 hole complex on North side of downtown. Finished in top five of Tulsa Cnty Am, very nice. A nice 18 hole in middle of town.


But if you cant do that head straight for The Harvester down I-35 south of Ames/north of Des Moines, east about 15 miles in Norwalk???? You can walk and play one of the nicest/hardest courses in the USA. Heck I wouldnt leave that area. Play it over and over. Its great! Or head over to Williamsburg and tee it up at the 9 hole local course. Used to be Sport Hill, now some new name. Again a walker and as good as it gets. Do not play Amana Colonies unless you go brain dead. Could be the worst course in America. If you want to stay close to dsm, play Waveland. An old 18 hole muni that is very sporty. Again, dont waste ur $$ at The Players course in Johnson, its in a hole and isnt very friendly to walk ups.

That is all I know about golf in Iowa. (Former Iowa High School Team Champ)

[Iowa Hawkeye]

Next Friday marks the first day of my spring break, and I was thinking about taking a road trip down to Iowa to play 36 a day for a weekend. I was wondering if any courses are or will be open by then and which ones are the best value. I been watching the Tour play in Florida and I can't wait any longer to go and play. What courses do you recommend in Iowa? Thanks

What part of the state? I assume you're heading down 35? If so there's:

Tournament Club of Iowa - Polk City - an Arnold course http://www.tcofiowa.com/index.asp The Legacy - Norwalk http://www.thelegacygolfclub.com/ Harvester - Rhodes, East of 35 http://www.harvestergolf.com/ Hyperion - Dsm Area http://www.hyperionfc.com/ Countryside - Norwalk http://www.countrysideiowa.com/

[shakogolfer78]

Thanks for the advice, we are planning on heading down as far south as neccesary to find open courses, and these look like some great ones. I got to play TCOI in August while visiting Iowa St., and loved it. I've heard great things about the Harvester, and I let you all know about how the trip goes. Thank you for the great advice.

[Iowa Hawkeye]

Thanks for the advice, we are planning on heading down as far south as neccesary to find open courses, and these look like some great ones. I got to play TCOI in August while visiting Iowa St., and loved it. I've heard great things about the Harvester, and I let you all know about how the trip goes. Thank you for the great advice.

Everything in central Iowa is open and good to go. I take it you're a senior? If so, are you gonna be heading to ISU? I'm a Hawkeye born and raised but I'm transferring to ISU in the fall for Engineering. I've heard good things about Veenker GC right by campus there.

[shakogolfer78]

Yup a senior from south suburbs of Minneapolis. I have been accepted at ISU and might take up there architecture program. Its in my top three choices of schools at the moment. I was greatly surprised by how nice the campus was. VERY IMPRESSED!

[texaseagle76]

Thanks for the advice, we are planning on heading down as far south as neccesary to find open courses, and these look like some great ones. I got to play TCOI in August while visiting Iowa St., and loved it. I've heard great things about the Harvester, and I let you all know about how the trip goes. Thank you for the great advice.

I would head for Harvester and play it as many times as possible. Head over to the north end of the practice area and find a chipping green & bunker for your use. Practice putting is nice touch. Im sure they will allow a walker. Clubhouse is open and food service is awesome. John is the head pro and will take care of you.

[texaseagle76]

Yup a senior from south suburbs of Minneapolis. I have been accepted at ISU and might take up there architecture program. Its in my top three choices of schools at the moment. I was greatly surprised by how nice the campus was. VERY IMPRESSED!

Veenker swithed to bent grass fairwasy last fall and will be too rough to play. You may want to give the Ames G& CC a shot. Ask for Don Portwine and tell him a guy from Dallas, Texas said "you'd allow out of state players". I built it! Greens are awesome

!!

[Iowa Hawkeye]

Yup a senior from south suburbs of Minneapolis. I have been accepted at ISU and might take up there architecture program. Its in my top three choices of schools at the moment. I was greatly surprised by how nice the campus was. VERY IMPRESSED!

Yeah. I almost went Arch. but ended up in ConE. If you end up in Ames let me know, might have to arrange for you to whoop up on me on the course...