Favorite Golf Courses

[JackCyclone]

I've played pretty much every course in Iowa that one would want to play, with these exceptions:

1. DMGCC (I've played neither course)
2. Glen Oaks
3. Spirit Hollow - Burlington

Because I've never played them, they are at the top of my "want to play locally list"

My favorite 5, in no particular order, which is no small task because I like something about a lot of course:

Harvester (18th hole, though scenic, is stupid, but the rest of the course makes up for it)
Amana (I don't think there is a hole I dislike on that course. Great layout)
Bos Landen (use every club in your bag. The 14th is dumb)
Riverside (longest hole in Iowa. All around good track)
TCI

I don't understand the love for:

Wakonda - it's a slightly "bigger" Waveland, and I actually think Waveland can play more difficult (The Wave is what I consider my "home course")
Hyperion - really short, and it's pretty easy once you figure out the greens, and that doesn't take long
Echo - for a CC, it's pretty "meh". I compare it to Beaver Creek

Miscellaneous:

Veenker will always have a place in my heart, though I have never played it in what I would consider "top form"
Coldwater is really nice, but I just don't like that kind of golf. Same for Landsmeer in Orange City (I like The Ridge in Souix Center better)
Preserve (Rathbun) is a fun course, but I've outplayed it. I go down there every year with a group of guys, and we play until our hands bleed for 4 days
Legacy almost made my top 5. I might like it more than TCI. It was tough to keep it out of my top 5
Honey Creek in Boone. The back 9, staring with 11, is incredible. There are some "OK" holes on the front, but not enough to balance it out (IMO)


***my gosh, I could talk about golf all day***

Bucket list:

Augusta National
Bethpage Black
St Andrews
Medinah
Pinehurst #2

Fascinated by this post- I grew up playing Waveland everyday in the summer and then it was our home course for my high school golf team. Why/how do you think it can play more difficult than Wakonda? Waveland is short, mostly open, and once you know where you're going a fairly simple course. Wakonda is much more narrow with lightning fast greens most of the year/more trouble all over the course.

Local top 5 favorite I've played (have played most courses in Iowa that would qualify for this list)
1. TCI- such a great course with a lot of fun and unique shots
2. Veenker- Course has a ton of character and gotta have love for Iowa State everywhere
3. Harvester- hard to keep off the list, so well taken care of
4. Waveland- special place in my heart- Oldest course west of the Mississippi
5. Hyperion- love the fast greens and usually well maintained. Every putt breaks towards the road.

Honorable mention- Wakonda, Glen Oaks, Legacy, Coldwater, Preserve at Lake Rathbun, Ottumwa CC, Briarwood, Otter Creek

All time top 5 I've played-
1. Tobacco Road (North Carolina- look it up if you've never heard of it- INSANE golf course. Like putt-putt on a full length course- https://tobaccoroadgolf.com/)
2. Pine Valley- Feel like the luckiest guy on earth that I get to say this
3. Ocean Course at Kiawah Island- This area is gorgeous, hardest course I've ever played handedly
4. Winged Foot- second hardest course ever played- can't miss a shot there, and also can't find a blade of grass out of line
5. Firestone CC

 

[enisthemenace]

Fascinated by this post- I grew up playing Waveland everyday in the summer and then it was our home course for my high school golf team. Why/how do you think it can play more difficult than Wakonda? Waveland is short, mostly open, and once you know where you're going a fairly simple course. Wakonda is much more narrow with lightning fast greens most of the year/more trouble all over the course.

Local top 5 favorite I've played (have played most courses in Iowa that would qualify for this list)
1. TCI- such a great course with a lot of fun and unique shots
2. Veenker- Course has a ton of character and gotta have love for Iowa State everywhere
3. Harvester- hard to keep off the list, so well taken care of
4. Waveland- special place in my heart- Oldest course west of the Mississippi
5. Hyperion- love the fast greens and usually well maintained. Every putt breaks towards the road.

Honorable mention- Wakonda, Glen Oaks, Legacy, Coldwater, Preserve at Lake Rathbun, Ottumwa CC, Briarwood, Otter Creek

All time top 5 I've played-
1. Tobacco Road (North Carolina- look it up if you've never heard of it- INSANE golf course. Like putt-putt on a full length course- https://tobaccoroadgolf.com/)
2. Pine Valley- Feel like the luckiest guy on earth that I get to say this
3. Ocean Course at Kiawah Island- This area is gorgeous, hardest course I've ever played handedly
4. Winged Foot- second hardest course ever played- can't miss a shot there, and also can't find a blade of grass out of line
5. Firestone CC

Wow...I posted that a while ago. Since then, I’ve knocked DMGCC (both courses) and Spirit Hollow off my “local” list, so only have Glen Oaks left. If anyone has a way on and looking for a 4th, PM me. I’ll fill in

You must have went to either Roosevelt or Hoover. I went to East and was always jealous of the kids who went to those schools because they got to play Waveland every day, while I was playing Grandview. I mean, Grandview does have it’s positives when working on your game...really small, mostly domed greens with some fairly good slopes, which is good for approach placement and chipping practice, but those who can drive the ball can easily score there, and there are very few penalties for errant tee shots. We did have some pretty good money games with the kids from North though, which were a good time, but I digress.

As for the Waveland/Wakonda comparison, I think what I meant was that I feel both courses are similar styles. Old school, tight in spots. There isn’t a hole at Wakonda that compares to “The Monster” (#3) IMO, but there are more, as in quantity, difficult holes at Wakonda probably.

Wakonda is longer than Waveland though, which for me means it is easier to leave myself a full shot into the greens. At Waveland, I find myself in between clubs a lot or inside 60-80 yards a lot, even though I have played there a ton. I like to hit driver, which can get me in trouble there, due to those half shot approaches. Wakonda’s greens are easier to read as well, in my opinion. Is that because they are in better shape (probably) or because there is some local, hidden break (like Hyperion) I just haven’t been able to figure out? Waveland, in my opinion, just requires a bit more precision and patience (hitting irons instead of driver) than Wakonda. At least for me, anyway.

 

[HardcoreClone]

Fascinated by this post- I grew up playing Waveland everyday in the summer and then it was our home course for my high school golf team. Why/how do you think it can play more difficult than Wakonda? Waveland is short, mostly open, and once you know where you're going a fairly simple course. Wakonda is much more narrow with lightning fast greens most of the year/more trouble all over the course.

Local top 5 favorite I've played (have played most courses in Iowa that would qualify for this list)
1. TCI- such a great course with a lot of fun and unique shots
2. Veenker- Course has a ton of character and gotta have love for Iowa State everywhere
3. Harvester- hard to keep off the list, so well taken care of
4. Waveland- special place in my heart- Oldest course west of the Mississippi
5. Hyperion- love the fast greens and usually well maintained. Every putt breaks towards the road.

Honorable mention- Wakonda, Glen Oaks, Legacy, Coldwater, Preserve at Lake Rathbun, Ottumwa CC, Briarwood, Otter Creek

All time top 5 I've played-
1. Tobacco Road (North Carolina- look it up if you've never heard of it- INSANE golf course. Like putt-putt on a full length course- https://tobaccoroadgolf.com/)
2. Pine Valley- Feel like the luckiest guy on earth that I get to say this
3. Ocean Course at Kiawah Island- This area is gorgeous, hardest course I've ever played handedly
4. Winged Foot- second hardest course ever played- can't miss a shot there, and also can't find a blade of grass out of line
5. Firestone CC

Wow I'm jealous. The top out of state courses I've played:
1. Hazeltine (MN)
2. Harbour Town (SC)
3. Atlantic Dunes (SC)
4. Bayside (NE)
5. Wild Horse (NE)
6. Quarry Oaks (NE)

 

[enisthemenace]

Wow I'm jealous. The top out of state courses I've played:
1. Hazeltine (MN)
2. Harbour Town (SC)
3. Atlantic Dunes (SC)
4. Bayside (NE)
5. Wild Horse (NE)
6. Quarry Oaks (NE)

Quarry Oaks is a fun course. Just off the Platte River between Omaha and Lincoln. I played there a couple years ago, and had a great time. Really neat holes with some nice views.

 

[Cyclone.TV]

Quarry Oaks is a fun course. Just off the Platte River between Omaha and Lincoln. I played there a couple years ago, and had a great time. Really neat holes with some nice views.

Might have to make a stop there on my way back sometime.

 

[Cyclone.TV]

Favorites I've played
Plantation Course - Kapalua -
Cog Hill - Dubs, chicago
Interlochen - Minneapolis
Hazeltine
Cherry Hills
Broadmoor East - hardest greens to read I've ever played.

Bucket List
Torrey Pines
all the other obvious ones

How bad was the wind at plantation when you played? I was a way worse golfer and playing with rentals when I went there, but it amazed me how those guys tear that course up. I putted about 45 times.

 

[JackCyclone]

Wow...I posted that a while ago. Since then, I’ve knocked DMGCC (both courses) and Spirit Hollow off my “local” list, so only have Glen Oaks left. If anyone has a way on and looking for a 4th, PM me. I’ll fill in

You must have went to either Roosevelt or Hoover. I went to East and was always jealous of the kids who went to those schools because they got to play Waveland every day, while I was playing Grandview. I mean, Grandview does have it’s positives when working on your game...really small, mostly domed greens with some fairly good slopes, which is good for approach placement and chipping practice, but those who can drive the ball can easily score there, and there are very few penalties for errant tee shots. We did have some pretty good money games with the kids from North though, which were a good time, but I digress.

As for the Waveland/Wakonda comparison, I think what I meant was that I feel both courses are similar styles. Old school, tight in spots. There isn’t a hole at Wakonda that compares to “The Monster” (#3) IMO, but there are more, as in quantity, difficult holes at Wakonda probably.

Wakonda is longer than Waveland though, which for me means it is easier to leave myself a full shot into the greens. At Waveland, I find myself in between clubs a lot or inside 60-80 yards a lot, even though I have played there a ton. I like to hit driver, which can get me in trouble there, due to those half shot approaches. Wakonda’s greens are easier to read as well, in my opinion. Is that because they are in better shape (probably) or because there is some local, hidden break (like Hyperion) I just haven’t been able to figure out? Waveland, in my opinion, just requires a bit more precision and patience (hitting irons instead of driver) than Wakonda. At least for me, anyway.

I don't post a ton here and didn't even realize that your post was 2 years old- oops! And yes Roosevelt. Waveland is a blast to play. Especially fun when we had teams come in from out of Des Moines and take an 8 on #3. That hole is a fantastic hole, and with the renovations even harder now! I also always loved #4. Someone who's never seen the course would not have a clue what to do there- same could be said for a bunch of other holes on the course as well- #7, #11, #12, #15, #17. As for Grandview, I loved playing there every so often because you can go really really low if the wedges are dialed in which is always a great confidence boost!

Wakonda's greens are much easier to read because they roll so true, however with how fast they are, getting up and down is often times twice as difficult as it would be at Waveland. Gotta have great touch around the greens to sneak away with par at Wakonda if your not striking the ball well.

 

[enisthemenace]

I don't post a ton here and didn't even realize that your post was 2 years old- oops! And yes Roosevelt. Waveland is a blast to play. Especially fun when we had teams come in from out of Des Moines and take an 8 on #3. That hole is a fantastic hole, and with the renovations even harder now! I also always loved #4. Someone who's never seen the course would not have a clue what to do there- same could be said for a bunch of other holes on the course as well- #7, #11, #12, #15, #17. As for Grandview, I loved playing there every so often because you can go really really low if the wedges are dialed in which is always a great confidence boost!

Wakonda's greens are much easier to read because they roll so true, however with how fast they are, getting up and down is often times twice as difficult as it would be at Waveland. Gotta have great touch around the greens to sneak away with par at Wakonda if your not striking the ball well.

Ahhhh...Waveland.

#3: It took me probably 15 years, but i think I finally figured it out. Still takes a lot of precision, but hit the fairway off the tee first. If I can do that, I now aim for the 4th fairway with a hybrid or fairway wood, depending on how far back I played off the tee. It is wide open over there and not a bad place to come into the green in regulation, and if I do happen to cut the second, i may get lucky and ride the sloping fairway right on down to the green for an eagle opp

#4: that little tree straight away is a little too obvious, am I right?

#7: this is a ***** of a hole for me. I seemingly always hit a nice drive, which makes me almost always want to go for it in 2. DUMB! That front bunker is very well placed, and the green slopes away from you, plus right is dead. Of late, I’ve just played out to the left or even laid up short. Has worked out a lot better

#12: I’m not long enough to get there in 2, so I do layup (unless I’ve been pounding the Coors Lights, then it’s bombs away). Positioning the 2nd shot at the top of the hill isn’t an easy accomplishment. Fun, strategic hole

#15: Not what it once was, IMO. OB on the left used to come out all the way to the dogleg (ice rink, right?). They have since moved that way left. I still cut that corner as much as I can. Can have as little as a 7 iron in.

#17: Maybe my favorite driving hole. I tee high and take it straight over #6 tee box. Usually leave myself about 75 yards. I’ve played a few times since they have added the bunkers to try to penalize that shot, but I haven’t landed in them yet.

Man, I like that course.

 

[drlove]

How bad was the wind at plantation when you played? I was a way worse golfer and playing with rentals when I went there, but it amazed me how those guys tear that course up. I putted about 45 times.

We got a little lucky last summer when we went as it wasn't too bad, but still windy. I did have my hat blow off my head once.

 

[Cyclone.TV]

We got a little lucky last summer when we went as it wasn't too bad, but still windy. I did have my hat blow off my head once.

Nice. It's an amazing course. James Worthy was there when I played it.

 

[cloneu]

Fascinated by this post- I grew up playing Waveland everyday in the summer and then it was our home course for my high school golf team. Why/how do you think it can play more difficult than Wakonda? Waveland is short, mostly open, and once you know where you're going a fairly simple course. Wakonda is much more narrow with lightning fast greens most of the year/more trouble all over the course.

I have played each course once and my score at Wakonda was 10 or so shots better than Waveland. I lost a few balls at Waveland that didn't help, Wakonda it was pretty much fairway and then being on or around the green on the approach with no troubles. Seemed like playing Waveland a few more times would help though.

 

[CyGuy5]

Looks like I'm going golfing for the first time this year on Friday. Even though its going to be windy it will be good to get back into things

 

[TheJackWePack5]

Looks like I'm going golfing for the first time this year on Friday. Even though its going to be windy it will be good to get back into things

What course are you hitting?

 

[CyGuy5]

What course are you hitting?

I think we're going to try Blank near the airport

 

[TheJackWePack5]

I think we're going to try Blank near the airport

I was wondering what places might be open this time of year.

 

[ZJohnson]

Man, going to be tough for me to narrow down my favorite courses. I've been very lucky between playing golf in college and being in the industry until a couple years ago. Have a couple of really cool new courses lined up for this year.

Top Iowa Courses:
DMGCC both
Glen Oaks
Echo Valley (new 9 only, other 18 are meh)
Stone Creek in Williamsburg...best 9 hole course I've ever played
Bent Tree in C Bluffs
Davenport CC
TPC Deere Run(yes I know its IL)
Harvester is overrated as ****

Toughest courses I've played:
Princeville at Hanalei(about 3 years ago before it went private)
Estancia Club(Scottsdale)
Scottsdale National
Princeville Makai
Hazeltine
Desert Mountain - Chiricahua (Scottsdale)
Desert Highlands
Desert Forest
Poppy Hills
Tobacco Road
Bulls Bay

Favorite Courses:
1 - Princeville at Hanalei (Kauai)
2 - Classic at Maddens(Brainerd, MN)
3 - Poipu Bay (Kauai)
4 - Hazeltine
5 - Tobacco Road (NC)
6 - Whisper Rock - Upper (Scottsdale)
7 - Caledonia Golf & Fish (near Myrtle Beach)
8 - Bulls Bay (Awendaw, SC)
9 - Deacon's Lodge (near Brainerd, MN)
10 - Crooked Stick (IN)

 

[enisthemenace]

I was wondering what places might be open this time of year.

Toad Valley is ALWAYS open (at least almost always). A few years ago, I played there in February. It was the only month I had never played golf in Iowa up until then, and it was supposed to be around 50 that day. Never got above 30, I don’t think. Pins were frozen in the cups and approach shots sprung off the greens like they were trampolines. Still got to play in February though.

 

[octaviouspoon]

Toad Valley is ALWAYS open (at least almost always). A few years ago, I played there in February. It was the only month I had never played golf in Iowa up until then, and it was supposed to be around 50 that day. Never got above 30, I don’t think. Pins were frozen in the cups and approach shots sprung off the greens like they were trampolines. Still got to play in February though.

Jester would usually be my go to when the weather was nice enough during the winter months, but with their renovations that's unfortunately not an option.

 

[CyGuy5]

Man, going to be tough for me to narrow down my favorite courses. I've been very lucky between playing golf in college and being in the industry until a couple years ago. Have a couple of really cool new courses lined up for this year.

Top Iowa Courses:
DMGCC both
Glen Oaks
Echo Valley (new 9 only, other 18 are meh)
Stone Creek in Williamsburg...best 9 hole course I've ever played
Bent Tree in C Bluffs
Davenport CC
TPC Deere Run(yes I know its IL)
Harvester is overrated as ****

Toughest courses I've played:
Princeville at Hanalei(about 3 years ago before it went private)
Estancia Club(Scottsdale)
Scottsdale National
Princeville Makai
Hazeltine
Desert Mountain - Chiricahua (Scottsdale)
Desert Highlands
Desert Forest
Poppy Hills
Tobacco Road
Bulls Bay

Favorite Courses:
1 - Princeville at Hanalei (Kauai)
2 - Classic at Maddens(Brainerd, MN)
3 - Poipu Bay (Kauai)
4 - Hazeltine
5 - Tobacco Road (NC)
6 - Whisper Rock - Upper (Scottsdale)
7 - Caledonia Golf & Fish (near Myrtle Beach)
8 - Bulls Bay (Awendaw, SC)
9 - Deacon's Lodge (near Brainerd, MN)
10 - Crooked Stick (IN)

How did you like Hazeltine? Its one of my bucket list courses and I think it would be fun to golf somewhere I've watched a tournament

 

[HardcoreClone]

Man, going to be tough for me to narrow down my favorite courses. I've been very lucky between playing golf in college and being in the industry until a couple years ago. Have a couple of really cool new courses lined up for this year.

Top Iowa Courses:
DMGCC both
Glen Oaks
Echo Valley (new 9 only, other 18 are meh)
Stone Creek in Williamsburg...best 9 hole course I've ever played
Bent Tree in C Bluffs
Davenport CC
TPC Deere Run(yes I know its IL)
Harvester is overrated as ****

Toughest courses I've played:
Princeville at Hanalei(about 3 years ago before it went private)
Estancia Club(Scottsdale)
Scottsdale National
Princeville Makai
Hazeltine
Desert Mountain - Chiricahua (Scottsdale)
Desert Highlands
Desert Forest
Poppy Hills
Tobacco Road
Bulls Bay

Favorite Courses:
1 - Princeville at Hanalei (Kauai)
2 - Classic at Maddens(Brainerd, MN)
3 - Poipu Bay (Kauai)
4 - Hazeltine
5 - Tobacco Road (NC)
6 - Whisper Rock - Upper (Scottsdale)
7 - Caledonia Golf & Fish (near Myrtle Beach)
8 - Bulls Bay (Awendaw, SC)
9 - Deacon's Lodge (near Brainerd, MN)
10 - Crooked Stick (IN)

Bent Tree and Deere Run are both on my wishlist this year. Walked Deere Run last year during the tourney, loved the look of that course. Front 9 had more terrain than I expected.