11 Best Golf Courses in Iowa
Iowa's Midwestern location sometimes lessens the attention its championship-caliber courses receive. Destination courses like the century-old Wakonda Club blend rolling prairies and Golden Age architecture that uses the state's terrain more creatively than many expect. Iowa offers remarkable variety for golfers of every skill level with dramatic elevation changes, classic Midwest parkland golf, and layouts designed by Arnold Palmer and Pete Dye. These standout Iowa golf courses feature some of the most beautiful rounds in the Midwest.
The Harvester Club
Located in the small town of Rhodes, which sits about 45 minutes away from Des Moines and roughly an hour from Des Moines International Airport, The Harvester Club is widely regarded as a premier golf course in Iowa. Designed by acclaimed architect Keith Foster, the private club blends prairie-style golf with dramatic elevation changes, rugged bunkering, and sweeping countryside views. The layout stretches across rolling farmland and features immaculate conditioning that has become legendary among Midwest golfers.
Since The Harvester is a private club, tee times are generally limited to members and invited guests, though occasional limited-access opportunities may be available through special arrangements. Green fee pricing is not publicly available but is available upon request. Amenities include a refined clubhouse, dining facilities, professional caddie services, and a well-stocked pro shop. Early fall adds cooler air and golden color across the farmland, making it a prime time to visit. For overnight stays, golfers can look toward Prairie Meadows Hotel in Altoona or downtown Des Moines options such as Hotel Fort Des Moines.
Davenport Country Club
Davenport Country Club is in Bettendorf, a city within Iowa's Quad Cities region that is about 15 minutes from downtown Davenport and approximately 20 minutes from Quad City International Airport in Moline, Illinois. Originally designed by the Colt & Alison firm, with Charles Alison closely associated with the routing, the course is celebrated for its ravines, mature trees, and classic Golden Age golf architecture. Overall, Davenport Country Club delivers a challenging yet scenic layout that has hosted numerous regional and national tournaments over the years.
The club operates as a private, member-based facility, and membership pricing and green fees are not publicly available, though prospective members can request details directly from the club. Guests typically need to be accompanied by a member in order to play. Amenities include a historic clubhouse, upscale dining venues, swimming facilities, tennis courts, and a pro shop stocked with apparel and equipment.
Spring and fall suit Davenport especially well, with cooler playing weather and ravines framed by fresh green or autumn color. Travelers visiting the course can stay nearby at The Current Iowa, Autograph Collection in downtown Davenport or the Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf along the Mississippi River.
Cedar Rapids Country Club
Cedar Rapids Country Club is located near downtown Cedar Rapids and about 15 minutes from the Eastern Iowa Airport, making it an accessible Iowa golf destination. Originally designed by Donald Ross in 1915 and later restored by Ron Prichard, the course features rolling terrain, tree-lined fairways, and strategic greens carved through the scenic Indian Creek area. It remains the only Donald Ross-designed course in Iowa, helping cement its reputation among architecture enthusiasts and serious golfers alike.
Beyond the course, Cedar Rapids Country Club functions as a full-service private club, with dining, event spaces, tennis, aquatics, and fitness amenities. Its golf side includes a driving range, putting greens, and instruction programs. Guest access is generally restricted to members only, however. Official green fees and pricing are not publicly listed; it is best to confirm pricing directly with the club.
From May into October, Indian Creek and the surrounding oaks give the course its strongest visual character. Since there is no resort lodging on-site, visitors can stay nearby at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex or the Hotel at Kirkwood Center.
Wakonda Club
Located south of downtown Des Moines and roughly 15 minutes from Des Moines International Airport, Wakonda Club is one of Iowa's most historic golf institutions. Originally designed by William Langford in the 1920s, the course recently underwent an acclaimed restoration that revived its bold bunkering, strategic green complexes, and classic character. The mature landscape set a visually striking stage that has helped Wakonda maintain a consistent place among Iowa's private golf clubs.
Wakonda operates as a private membership club, and membership fees and guest pricing are available upon request rather than publicly listed. The club offers a full-service experience with an elegant clubhouse, fine dining, swimming facilities, tennis courts, and a pro shop carrying premium apparel and equipment. Additionally, the club typically hosts the annual Principal Charity Classic, giving golfers a chance to play a course with PGA Tour Champions pedigree.
Summer and early fall tend to provide the best conditions for visiting, especially when the fairways and bunkers are at their most eye-catching. Visitors seeking accommodations nearby can stay at the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton or the modern Surety Hotel downtown, both within a short drive of the course and Des Moines's restaurant and entertainment districts.
Spirit Hollow Golf Course
Spirit Hollow Golf Course, an award-winning course designed by Rick Jacobson, sits near Burlington, Iowa. It is recognized as one of Iowa's best daily-fee golf destinations, with a winding layout that moves over wooded hills, around lakes, and across dramatic elevation changes that create a resort-style golf experience right within the Midwest.
Unlike many elite Iowa courses, Spirit Hollow is open to the public and offers online tee-time booking. Green fees vary by season and time of day; they start at $45 for nine holes and go up to $135 for all-day play on weekends or holidays. Season passes are also available for $2,100 or $2,400. Amenities on-site include a spacious clubhouse, restaurant and bar, practice facilities, a pro shop, and stay-and-play golf packages.
The best time to visit Spirit Hollow is between late spring and early fall, when the lush landscape and water features look their best. Nearby accommodations include the Catfish Bend Inn & Spa at the FunCity Resort complex, which offers casino gaming, dining, entertainment, and spa services.
Glen Oaks Country Club
Situated in West Des Moines, Glen Oaks Country Club is just about 20 minutes from downtown Des Moines. This course is best known for its pristine conditioning and upscale atmosphere. The course, which was designed by architect Tom Fazio, incorporates rolling fairways, sculpted bunkers, and water hazards into a polished layout that appeals to both low-handicap golfers and recreational players.
Glen Oaks is a private membership club, so pricing information for membership and guest fees is available upon request. The expansive clubhouse serves as a social hub for the course, and it is where you can find fine dining, banquet facilities, and member events throughout the year. Additional amenities include tennis courts, swimming pools, fitness facilities, plus a well-appointed golf shop. Summer is the ideal season to visit, particularly when the landscaping and flower displays surrounding the course are in peak condition. For lodging, West Des Moines options such as the Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn sit close to restaurants, shopping, and Jordan Creek Town Center.
Des Moines Golf & Country Club, North Course
Des Moines Golf & Country Club's North Course is approximately 25 minutes from Des Moines International Airport. Set in West Des Moines, this Pete Dye design showcases many of the architect's signature elements, including dramatic bunkering, elevated greens, railroad-tie accents, and risk-reward shotmaking opportunities. The course has hosted major professional events, and it is widely considered one of the state's premier championship layouts.
As a private club, access is primarily reserved for members and guests; pricing is available upon request. Should you visit the club, you will find extensive amenities on hand, including multiple dining venues, tennis facilities, swimming pools, fitness centers, and a large private clubhouse. A comprehensive pro shop and high-end practice facilities further enhance the experience.
The North Course is especially attractive during summer (which is also tournament season), when conditions are maintained at championship level. Since there is no on-site lodging, travelers visiting the course can stay at nearby accommodations such as the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel or the Rewind Hotel.
Blue Top Ridge Golf Course at Riverside
Blue Top Ridge at Riverside Casino in Riverside is about 20 minutes south of Iowa City, and it is considered one of the state's best public courses. Challenging yet approachable, this Rees Jones-designed course features links-style golf with wetlands, rolling terrain, and strategically placed water hazards that create one visually impressive public golf experience.
Blue Top Ridge is fully open to the public and offers online booking for tee times and golf packages. Green fees vary seasonally but generally range from $60 for nine holes up to $109 for the full 18-hole course on weekends and holidays, though exact pricing depends on the day and time you choose to visit. The course is directly connected to Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, giving visitors access to on-site accommodations, a full-service spa, casino gaming, restaurants, bars, indoor pools, and entertainment venues. Golfers also have a dedicated clubhouse with event space, dining, and a pro shop, separate from the wider casino-resort amenities.
The ideal time to visit is late spring through early fall, when the wetlands and prairie scenery are especially vibrant. Guests looking for a golf-focused resort getaway will find Blue Top Ridge one of the most complete destination experiences in Iowa. Plus, it sits approximately 30 minutes from The Eastern Iowa Airport, making it nicely accessible.
Tournament Club of Iowa
The Tournament Club of Iowa sits in Polk City, roughly 30 minutes north of downtown Des Moines and its airport. It is an Arnold Palmer-designed course that delivers dramatic elevation changes, expansive fairways, and water features across acres of countryside, and it has built a strong reputation among Iowa golfers for its championship layout, generous playing corridors, and country-club-level conditioning without requiring private membership access. Unlike many of Iowa's top courses, it is open to the public.
Tournament Club of Iowa operates as a daily-fee course and allows golfers to reserve tee times online. Green fees do vary depending on season and tee time, with peak summer rounds generally priced in the upper range for public golf in Iowa. Current 18-hole rates start at $55 for the season and peak at $80, and there are discounted rates for twilight, 9-hole, and replay options.
Once you arrive on-site, amenities include a modern clubhouse, dining and bar service, practice greens, a driving range, and a pro shop. Summer mornings and early fall afternoons are considered the best times to play, thanks to mild temperatures and scenic views across Saylorville Lake country. Since there is no on-site resort lodging, visitors commonly stay at nearby accommodations such as the Courtyard by Marriott Ankeny or the Hilton Garden Inn Des Moines/Urbandale.
Des Moines Golf & Country Club, South Course
The South Course at Des Moines Golf & Country Club stands out with a classic parkland-style layout known for mature trees, rolling fairways, and strategic shotmaking. While its sister course often hosts major tournaments, the South Course stands out for its walkability, consistent conditioning, and traditional country club atmosphere.
The course consistently ranks among Iowa's top private golf experiences and offers a slightly more forgiving but still championship-caliber round. Like the North Course, the South Course is private and accessible to members and invited guests (membership rates and guest fees are not publicly available). Amenities include expansive practice facilities, multiple dining venues, swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness centers, and a large clubhouse that serves as one of the Midwest's premier country club facilities. The on-site pro shop is where guests will find apparel, custom fittings, and equipment services.
Summer and early fall provide the best playing conditions here. Nearby accommodations include the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel and the West Des Moines Marriott, offering offsite places to rest between rounds.
Amana Colonies Golf Club
Set in the rolling countryside of eastern Iowa, Amana Colonies Golf Club is approximately 25 minutes from The Eastern Iowa Airport. The course, which features wooded fairways, steep elevation changes, and dramatic blind shots, was designed by Jodie Kinzenbaw. The result is one of the state's most scenic and memorable public golf experiences.
Across the course, the layout winds through hills and forests, offering a secluded atmosphere that feels removed from urban golf. The course is open to the public, and green fees range from $35 to $75 depending on when you visit (and how many holes you choose to play). Visitors can also look into stay-and-play packages offered through local lodging partners. While fees are generally affordable, Amana Colonies does not skimp on amenities. The course includes a clubhouse, bar and grill, practice facilities, and a pro shop.
Fall may be the signature season here, as the wooded corridors around the Amana Colonies turn the round into a foliage drive with golf clubs. While there is no on-site resort, visitors can stay in the nearby Amana Colonies, where options such as the Hotel Millwright and Die Heimat Country Inn provide accommodations tied to the region's historic German heritage.
Iowa's Underrated Golf Destinations
Within Iowa, you can have your pick of beautiful but challenging golf courses, including nationally-ranked private clubs and scenic public courses set among rolling farmland. As a result, Iowa offers far more golf variety than many travelers expect. Pack up your clubs and plan where you will head next. Perhaps you will play a championship-caliber round at The Harvester Club, or indulge in a resort-style getaway at Blue Top Ridge. For golfers looking to discover surprisingly diverse courses, these Iowa standouts are well worth adding to your must-visit list.
