Comprehensive directory of Iowa's 400+ golf courses, from championship layouts to charming nine-hole small-town courses
Iowa offers exceptional golf opportunities with over 400 courses scattered across the state's rolling landscape. From championship courses designed by Arnold Palmer and Rees Jones to historic municipal layouts over 120 years old, Iowa's golf scene combines quality, affordability, and Midwestern hospitality. The state leads the nation with 254 nine-hole courses, many nestled in charming small towns where golf remains central to community life.
Whether you seek challenging championship play at The Harvester (ranked #179 nationally), affordable rounds at historic municipal courses like Waveland (built 1901), or scenic resort golf at Brooks National in Okoboji, Iowa delivers diverse experiences. Public access remains excellent, with green fees typically ranging from $18-$71 and many municipal courses offering quality play under $30.
Iowa's premier golf destinations combine championship design, exceptional conditioning, and memorable settings. These courses consistently rank among the state's finest and attract golfers from across the region.
📍 Rhodes (Near Des Moines)
Keith Foster's finest original design, ranked #179 nationally. Reopened in 2019 after renovations, this modern layout captures the essence of Iowa's open landscape with broad, billowing fairways through fields of wavy grasses. Former daily fee facility turned exclusive private club.
📍 Burlington | ☎️ 319-752-0004
Ranked #1 Best Course You Can Play in Iowa by Golfweek for seven consecutive years. Championship public course featuring dramatic elevation changes, strategic bunkering, and spectacular Mississippi River valley views. Recognized by Golf Digest as one of Iowa's best public courses.
📍 Riverside (Riverside Casino & Golf Resort)
Rees Jones design at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort. Features the longest golf hole in Iowa - the 665-yard par-5 16th. Championship layout combining strategic design with resort amenities including casino, dining, and entertainment.
📍 Okoboji (Iowa Great Lakes) | ☎️ 712-332-5011
Three distinctive courses: The Mounds, Val Brooks, and Scot's Links. Located in Iowa's premier resort destination, offering 54 holes of championship golf near West Okoboji Lake. Top-rated on GolfPass with resort amenities, fine dining, and lakeside setting.
📍 Des Moines | 3915 Fleur Dr
William Langford design renovated by Tyler Rae in 2023. The dramatic restoration reversed aging effects and sharpened architectural features, positioning it among Iowa's elite courses. Classic design showcasing golden age architecture.
📍 Cedar Rapids
The only Donald Ross-designed layout in Iowa. Recently renovated to restore Ross's original design intent. Historic course combining strategic design with traditional Midwest parkland setting. Consistently rated among Iowa's top private clubs.
Iowa features several championship courses designed by legendary golf architects, offering tournament-quality conditions and strategic design challenges.
📍 Polk City | 1000 Tradition Dr | ☎️ 515-984-2638
Iowa's only Arnold Palmer Signature Course, designed in 2003. Set on 500 acres of dramatic bluffs and ravines between Big Creek Dam and Saylorville Lake. Water comes into play on over half the holes. Features comprehensive practice facilities, elegant clubhouse, restaurant with scenic views.
Facilities: Driving range, short game area, putting green, pro shop, locker rooms
📍 West Des Moines
Two championship courses: South Course and North Course. Both ranked among Iowa's best by Golf Digest. Historic club offering 36 holes of championship golf with impeccable conditioning and challenging layouts.
📍 Ames (Iowa State University) | 1925 Stange Road
Iowa State University's championship course offering excellent public access. Well-maintained layout with collegiate tournament history. Quality design with affordable rates for public play.
View Rates📍 Sioux City | 6500 Whispering Creek Dr | ☎️ 712-276-3678
Named 2007 Iowa Golf Course of the Year. 18-hole championship course offering tournament-quality conditions with fast greens, water features, tree-lined fairways, and rolling hills. Open to public with membership options available.
📍 Silvis, IL (Quad Cities Area)
Annual host of the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic each July. While technically in Illinois, this championship course serves Iowa's Quad Cities region. Designed by D.A. Weibring, featuring tournament-caliber challenge accessible to public golfers.
📍 West Des Moines
Premier private club in Des Moines metro area. Championship layout consistently ranked among Iowa's top courses. Known for tournament-quality conditioning and challenging design.
The Des Moines metropolitan area offers 36+ golf courses ranging from historic municipal layouts to exclusive private clubs. With three city-owned courses built over a century ago, Des Moines provides exceptional affordable public golf.
Three high-quality municipal courses offer affordable rates and excellent playability for all skill levels:
📍 4908 University Ave | ☎️ 515-242-4626
Built in 1901, the oldest municipal golf course west of the Mississippi. Features incredible slope built on wooded hillsides. Historic layout offering challenging terrain and scenic beauty at affordable municipal rates.
📍 2401 East 29th Street
Built in 1902, one of the oldest courses in the country. Located on the east side of Des Moines. Historic layout offering over 120 years of golfing tradition with excellent conditioning and affordable play.
📍 808 County Line Rd
First opened in 1971 as nine holes, expanded to 18 holes in 1985. Modern layout offering straightforward design ideal for beginners to advanced golfers. Excellent value with quality conditions.
Eastern Iowa's golf courses stretch from the Mississippi River valley to Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, featuring river bluffs, rolling terrain, and championship public access.
Cedar Rapids operates three municipal courses plus several private clubs. The area features 18 courses within 15 miles.
Western Iowa features courses ranging from Council Bluffs and Sioux City metropolitan areas to small-town layouts across the rolling prairie landscape.
Sioux City offers 18 golf courses within the metro area, including quality municipal and public options.
Northern Iowa's golf destinations include the Iowa Great Lakes resort area, Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro, and numerous quality courses throughout the region.
Iowa's premier resort golf destination featuring multiple courses near West Okoboji Lake.
Waterloo offers three public municipal courses plus several private clubs. The metro area supports 14+ golf courses.
Iowa's municipal courses offer exceptional value, with many cities operating quality public courses at affordable rates. These city-owned facilities provide accessible golf for residents and visitors.
Many Iowa courses participate in the Youth on Course program, offering $5 green fees for golfers 17 and under with active membership. This initiative promotes junior golf development and provides affordable access to quality courses statewide.
Iowa leads the nation with 254 nine-hole courses - more than any other state. These layouts, often found in small towns, represent Iowa's rich golf heritage and community-centered approach to the game. Playing a small-town nine-hole course offers authentic Iowa golf experience with friendly atmospheres and affordable rates.
📍 Williamsburg
D.A. Weibring design (five-time PGA Tour champion). Named Iowa Golf Association's 9-Hole Course of the Year twice (2011 and one other year). Featured on Golf Digest's 2010 list of "The 25 Best Nine-Hole Courses in America." Premier nine-hole experience in Iowa.
📍 Bellevue | 32292 395th Ave
Iowa's premiere 9-hole course along the Mississippi River. Scenic layout featuring river bluff views and challenging terrain. Known for excellent conditioning and welcoming atmosphere.
Complete listing of additional golf courses throughout Iowa, organized alphabetically.
Note: This represents a sample of Iowa's 400+ courses. For complete listings organized by city, visit the Iowa Golf Association directory at iowagolf.org.
Iowa offers excellent value compared to coastal states:
Example Rates: Glynns Creek (Scott County): $30/18 holes, $18/9 holes | Cedar Rapids Municipal: $21 adults
Iowa golf season and optimal playing conditions:
Pro Tip: Book tee times early for weekend mornings during peak season (May-August). Twilight rates available at many courses after 4pm.
Many Iowa courses offer excellent season pass values:
Value: Season passes typically pay for themselves after 15-25 rounds depending on the course.
Booking your Iowa golf experience:
Note: Small-town courses like Sun Valley (Sioux City) advertise "No Tee-Times Needed" - just show up and play!
What to expect at Iowa golf courses:
Resort Courses: Brooks National, Blue Top Ridge, and Okoboji View offer full resort amenities including lodging, dining, and entertainment.
Inclusive golf in Iowa:
Junior Programs: Many courses offer junior clinics, leagues, and Youth on Course $5 rates to encourage youth participation.
The Harvester Golf Club (Rhodes, near Des Moines) ranks as Iowa's #1 course and #179 nationally. Designed by Keith Foster, this private club features broad billowing fairways through native grasses capturing Iowa's open landscape. The course reopened in 2019 after renovations, transforming from daily fee to exclusive private membership.
For public access, Spirit Hollow Golf Course (Burlington) holds the #1 Best Course You Can Play designation by Golfweek for seven consecutive years. This championship layout features dramatic elevation changes, strategic bunkering, and Mississippi River valley views. Other top public options include Blue Top Ridge (Rees Jones design at Riverside Casino), Brooks National Golf Club (Okoboji - 54 holes), and Tournament Club of Iowa (Arnold Palmer design in Polk City).
Iowa features over 400 golf courses, making it one of the top 10 states for golf courses per capita. This total includes approximately 254 nine-hole courses - more than any other U.S. state (New York has 209, Texas has 207). The state's extensive golf infrastructure reflects its rural character, with many small towns of 1,000-3,000 residents supporting quality nine-hole layouts.
The courses range from championship facilities like The Harvester and Spirit Hollow to charming small-town nine-hole courses. Iowa's major metropolitan areas include: Des Moines metro (36+ courses), Cedar Rapids area (18 courses within 15 miles), Waterloo-Cedar Falls (14+ courses), Sioux City (18 courses), and Iowa Great Lakes/Okoboji (multiple resort courses).
Iowa offers excellent golf value compared to coastal states. Typical green fees:
Additional discounts typically available: senior rates (62+), twilight rates (after 4pm), resident discounts at municipal courses, and season passes. Cart rentals usually cost $15-$20 per rider.
Iowa's golf season runs April through October, with peak conditions from May through September. Spring golf (late March-April) depends on weather - courses open as conditions allow after winter frost. Early season may have softer conditions but fewer crowds and lower rates.
Summer (June-August) provides ideal weather with temperatures 75-90°F, long daylight hours, and courses in peak condition. This is the busiest season - book tee times early for weekend mornings. Fall (September-October) offers excellent golf with cooler temperatures (60-75°F), less humidity, beautiful foliage, and reduced green fees at some courses.
Most Iowa courses close November through March due to snow, frost, and frozen ground. A few courses may offer winter golf during mild stretches. Always call ahead in spring and fall to verify course conditions and availability.
Iowa Great Lakes/Okoboji offers Iowa's premier golf resort destination. Stay near West Okoboji Lake with access to Brooks National Golf Club (54 holes across three courses), Okoboji View Golf Course (18 holes on the lake), and Indian Hills Golf Club (9 holes). The area provides extensive lodging, dining, water activities, and entertainment - ideal for multi-day golf trips.
Des Moines metro provides the most course variety with 36+ layouts including championship courses (Tournament Club of Iowa - Arnold Palmer design, The Legacy Golf Club), historic municipal courses (Waveland - built 1901), and private clubs. Extensive hotel options and urban amenities make it convenient for golf-focused trips.
Burlington/Southeast Iowa centers on Spirit Hollow Golf Course (#1 public course in Iowa) and Blue Top Ridge at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort (Rees Jones design). Riverside Casino offers on-site lodging with golf packages. Quad Cities (Davenport area) provides access to TPC Deere Run (PGA Tour host) plus multiple Iowa courses like Glynns Creek and Emeis.
For budget-friendly golf trips, base yourself in Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, or Ames - each offers quality municipal golf at affordable rates plus decent hotel selections.
Walking is generally permitted at most Iowa public and municipal golf courses. Municipal courses in Des Moines (Waveland, Bright Grandview, A.H. Blank), Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo welcome walkers. Many nine-hole courses actively encourage walking given their more compact layouts.
However, policies vary by course type and time:
Always call ahead to verify walking policies, especially for weekend play or championship courses. Cart rental typically costs $15-$20 per rider. Some courses offer "trail fees" ($5-$10) if using your own push cart.
Iowa's 254 nine-hole courses - more than any U.S. state - represent authentic Midwest golf heritage. These layouts, predominantly in small towns of 1,000-3,000 residents, offer intimate, community-centered golf experiences fundamentally different from resort courses.
What makes them unique:
Travel Iowa recommends: "It would be a mistake to come to Iowa and not play a small-town, nine-hole golf course." These courses showcase Iowa's character - friendly, unpretentious, and community-focused.
Yes, Iowa features several courses designed by legendary golf architects:
Arnold Palmer: Tournament Club of Iowa (Polk City) is Iowa's only Arnold Palmer Signature Course. Designed in 2003, this championship layout spreads across 500 acres of dramatic bluffs and ravines between Big Creek Dam and Saylorville Lake. Water affects over half the holes, and comprehensive practice facilities include driving range, short game area, putting green, plus elegant clubhouse with scenic restaurant.
Other Renowned Designers:
Additionally, TPC Deere Run (Silvis, IL - Quad Cities area) designed by D.A. Weibring hosts the annual PGA Tour's John Deere Classic and serves Iowa's eastern border communities.
Booking methods vary by course type:
Online Booking Systems:
Phone Reservations: Call courses directly using phone numbers listed in this guide. Municipal courses often have centralized booking - examples: Cedar Rapids Golf Office (319-286-5588) handles all three city courses.
Walk-Up Play: Many nine-hole and small-town courses welcome walk-ups without reservations. Courses like Sun Valley Golf Course (Sioux City) advertise "No Tee-Times Needed" - just arrive and play. This is common at rural courses during weekdays.
Advance Booking: Most courses allow tee times 7 days in advance; some championship courses permit 14-30 day advance booking. Weekend morning times (7am-10am) book fastest during peak season (May-August).
Pro Tip: Book online for convenience and potential discounts, but call directly for questions about course conditions, walking policies, or group outings.
Waveland Golf Course in Des Moines holds the distinction as Iowa's oldest golf course and the oldest municipal golf course west of the Mississippi River. Built in 1901 as an 18-hole course, Waveland features remarkable topography with incredible slope built on wooded hillsides near downtown Des Moines.
Bright Grandview Golf Course, also in Des Moines, opened in 1902 - making it one of the oldest courses in the entire country. Located on the east side of Des Moines, this historic municipal course has served the community for over 120 years.
Both courses remain fully operational and open to the public with affordable municipal rates. They represent living golf history, combining vintage layouts with modern maintenance standards. Playing these courses offers a unique opportunity to experience golf as it was played in the early 1900s, with original routing largely preserved despite updates to meet contemporary standards.
These historic Des Moines municipal courses, along with A.H. Blank Golf Course (opened 1971), demonstrate the city's long commitment to providing accessible public golf. At over 120 years old, they rank among the oldest continuously operated municipal golf facilities in the United States.
Official state golf association providing handicap services, tournament organization, course ratings, and member club directory. Primary resource for Iowa golf information.
Professional Golfers' Association of America - Iowa Section. Represents PGA professionals throughout Iowa, offering instruction, junior programs, and tournament operations.
Specialized organization promoting traditional hickory shaft golf. Organizes vintage golf events and preserves golf heritage.
USA Golf: USA Golf Sites. Associations, Education, Juniors, News (Golf), Pro Players, Professional Golf, Seniors, Women's Golf
Last updated on November 24, 2025