Iowa Golf

Heading down to TPC Deere Run from Minneapolis on 4/20. We are taking 35w to get there and back and are looking for a good course to play on the way home Sunday in Iowa. Any recommendations?

Harvester GC is ~20 miles northeast of Des Moines, and is easily accessible from I-80 (Exit 155). 'Probably the best course in the state.

You could play The General at Eagle Ridge. Outstanding Andy North/Roger Packard design. Top 5 public course in IL.

Harvester GC is ~20 miles northeast of Des Moines, and is easily accessible from I-80 (Exit 155). 'Probably the best course in the state.

Harvester closed for the year and opening as a private in 2019:

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1599976-harvester-golf-club-iowa/

Harvester GC is ~20 miles northeast of Des Moines, and is easily accessible from I-80 (Exit 155). 'Probably the best course in the state.

 

Harvester closed for the year and opening as a private in 2019:

http://www.golfwrx.c...golf-club-iowa/

Bummer. I guess that leaves Finkbine, Bos Landen, or Blue Top Ridge.

I do like the idea of the General, though. You could take US-20 back to I-35 after the round, or meander up Route 35 to La Crosse.

Bos Landen in Pella was fabulous the last time I played it a few years back and I’d highly recommend it if anyone has a more recent update on the course conditions.

“The 18-hole championship public course at Bos Landen Golf Club in Pella, Iowa, was designed by well-known architect Dick Phelps. Each hole features 5 sets of tees for players of all skill levels, ranging from 5,100 to 7,000 yards in length.

Bos Landen Golf Club has been ranked as Iowa’s #1 Public Golf Course from 1997 to 2001 and was also ranked in the Top-75 Most Affordable Golf Courses in the United States, all according to Golf Digest. Golf Digest also awarded Bos Landen with its “Four Star Place to Play – 2007.” It has also made the Top 5 Best Courses in the State by Golfweek April 2017”

I think it depends on your travel route. If you go back north, then I would highly recommend the Eagle Ridge-The General. Even the North & South courses @ Eagle Ridge are good if you have time. But if you are heading back west on 80 to 35, then I would second Blue Top Ridge or possibly Amana Colonies (just outside of Iowa City). Haven't played Amana for a couple of years, but used to be in good shape and has some hills to the course which makes for a challenge.

Another vote for Amana Colonies, great layout, usually in great shape ...

TCI is probably your best bet in the Des Moines area ... Legacy is also a nice course.

I would vote for the General in Galena. Travel up HWY 61 to Dubuque and cut over to Galena. After the round, take HWY 20 to Waterloo/CF and take HWY218 to I35. I live near DBQ and have family in the Cities and the 20/218/35 route is an easy drive.

Another vote for Amana Colonies, great layout, usually in great shape ...

 

TCI is probably your best bet in the Des Moines area ... Legacy is also a nice course.

I was also going to suggest TCI and Legacy. They were two of my favorites when I lived in DSM. Great lay outs and in great shape almost always and really reasonable. Last I played TCI it was $50.

Awesome guys. Thanks for all the tips.

First of all who the hell knows if there will be snow on the ground, this weather is nuts. Second, I can't believe all the love for The General, TCI, Amana and Bos Landen. In my opinion they are all similar where they are "target" golf which admittedly is not my type of golf course. If you like that then The General is fine. Amana is usually in good shape, but an awful design. TCI is both an awful design and from my experience has been in terrible shape. There was actually a dandelion growing on the green the last time I played it. If you are going to go via I-80/I-35, which is the longer route then Blue Top Ridge is the answer. Finkbine in Iowa City is pretty good, Hunters Ridge in Cedar Rapids is good. It is a little the wrong direction, but Spirit Hollow in Burlington is very good. Since Otter Creek in Ankeny has been redesigned it isn't bad, more of a links style.

First of all who the hell knows if there will be snow on the ground, this weather is nuts. Second, I can't believe all the love for The General, TCI, Amana and Bos Landen. In my opinion they are all similar where they are "target" golf which admittedly is not my type of golf course. If you like that then The General is fine. Amana is usually in good shape, but an awful design. TCI is both an awful design and from my experience has been in terrible shape. There was actually a dandelion growing on the green the last time I played it. If you are going to go via I-80/I-35, which is the longer route then Blue Top Ridge is the answer. Finkbine in Iowa City is pretty good, Hunters Ridge in Cedar Rapids is good. It is a little the wrong direction, but Spirit Hollow in Burlington is very good. Since Otter Creek in Ankeny has been redesigned it isn't bad, more of a links style.

Funny, I do not like TCI, but do like Bos Landen. We pay for a pass at a local muni in Des Moines (Terrace Hills), but play Otter a lot also, is a solid track. Legacy is not too bad either. I have not been to some of the other courses. I was told that Spirit Hollow is a good test of golf.

Will also throw out Coldwater in Ames ... No trees are in play on the entire courses, true links golf - as close as you'll get in Iowa.

First of all who the hell knows if there will be snow on the ground, this weather is nuts. Second, I can't believe all the love for The General, TCI, Amana and Bos Landen. In my opinion they are all similar where they are "target" golf which admittedly is not my type of golf course. If you like that then The General is fine. Amana is usually in good shape, but an awful design. TCI is both an awful design and from my experience has been in terrible shape. There was actually a dandelion growing on the green the last time I played it. If you are going to go via I-80/I-35, which is the longer route then Blue Top Ridge is the answer. Finkbine in Iowa City is pretty good, Hunters Ridge in Cedar Rapids is good. It is a little the wrong direction, but Spirit Hollow in Burlington is very good. Since Otter Creek in Ankeny has been redesigned it isn't bad, more of a links style.

 

Funny, I do not like TCI, but do like Bos Landen. We pay for a pass at a local muni in Des Moines (Terrace Hills), but play Otter a lot also, is a solid track. Legacy is not too bad either. I have not been to some of the other courses. I was told that Spirit Hollow is a good test of golf.

I like Otter Creek a lot. I lived about a 10 minute drive from Legacy so I played there far more than any place else. I like it a lot as well.

Where did you end up playing?

36 at TPC Deere run. Amazing! I will be back in the summer to see it green. Then we went to Amana Colonies. Cant say it was our favorite course. Probably wont be back.

Yeah, I never understand the love for that place I think it is terrible. I think when people see bent grass fairways and lots of trees they automatically think it is nice.

On another note, I just moved to Minneapolis from Iowa City about a week ago. Any recommendations you could give for places to play or practice? I was going to go beat some balls this past weekend but I didn't really know where to go. There are so many courses up here I don't know where to start. I'd like to join a lower end club at some point, but probably next year. I live downtown for a reference point.

Thanks.

I enjoyed Amana when I played it last year. Was it great shape. A couple funky holes, but that's alright. Just got out on Brown Deer in Coralville for my first round of 2018!

Yeah, I never understand the love for that place I think it is terrible. I think when people see bent grass fairways and lots of trees they automatically think it is nice.

 

On another note, I just moved to Minneapolis from Iowa City about a week ago. Any recommendations you could give for places to play or practice? I was going to go beat some balls this past weekend but I didn't really know where to go. There are so many courses up here I don't know where to start. I'd like to join a lower end club at some point, but probably next year. I live downtown for a reference point.

 

Thanks.

What side of the cities are you on?

West - Chaska town course, Wilds, Legends, Medows at Mystic, Baker

South - Willingers, dont make it down this way much

East- Troy Byrn (WI), Stoneridge, Les Bolsted, Keller, Royal Golf Club

North- Edinburgh USA, Minneapolis City courses,

Out of the cities.

South -Jewel

North - All the Brainerd lakes courses (lots), Wilderness, Giants ridge

West - Dacotah ridge

East - White Eagle (WI)

That was just off the top of my head. Tons of ok to good courses out there.

Let me know if you want any other info.

Has anyone played Deere Run recently? Looks like OP played in early May and the course wasn't green yet. I'm assuming it is great shape, but was just curious if anyone has played in in the past couple of weeks.

Has anyone played Deere Run recently? Looks like OP played in early May and the course wasn't green yet. I'm assuming it is great shape, but was just curious if anyone has played in in the past couple of weeks.

Played there last week, it’s in good shape.

Anyone ever play Cedar Rapids Country Club? Restored Donald Ross.