Tell Me About Life in Des Moines... Courses too!

Possibly, for the first time, and the last, I may be relocating for work. I have lived in southeast Wisconsin all my life. So, I thought I'd expand my horizons by moving to Des Moines!

It's just my wife and me and our dog. We don't need or want for much. Just looking for a little condo. Maybe near some golf...

Tell me about Des Moines!

Lots of courses in the Des Moines area, both public and private. You should have no problem finding a new favorite.

Lived around Des Moines for the last 20 years ... Are you going to play private or public? Some really nice clubs in town, the public golf is OK.

Don't live there, but been visiting there all my life and spent a couple summer there back in the day. Headed there Saturday, but no golf, unfortunately - wife and youngest daughter meeting up at Civic Center (they love their Broadway, lol). Plenty of golf in and around Des Moines and not far away, good variety of areas to live, some good places to eat. Hard to know what exactly you may be looking for, but will answer any and all questions. Feel free to PM and happy to visit any time.

> @tatertot said:

> Lived around Des Moines for the last 20 years ... Are you going to play private or public? Some really nice clubs in town, the public golf is OK.

Right now thinking of doing a membership at a public. But private would be a possibility depending on location.

> @games said:

> > @tatertot said:

> > Lived around Des Moines for the last 20 years ... Are you going to play private or public? Some really nice clubs in town, the public golf is OK.

>

> Right now thinking of doing a membership at a public. But private would be a possibility depending on location.

PM if you'd like ... I've had memberships at most of the publics in and around town. Currently have a season pass to the muni's ... 4 courses means plenty of variety and there's always tee times open.

Privates vary on what part of town/suburbs your looking at, what social benefits, how much you want to spend, etc.

Again, feel free to PM with more questions or if you want to get out and play some time.

> @Hawkeye77 said:

> Don't live there, but been visiting there all my life and spent a couple summer there back in the day. Headed there Saturday, but no golf, unfortunately - wife and youngest daughter meeting up at Civic Center (they love their Broadway, lol). Plenty of golf in and around Des Moines and not far away, good variety of areas to live, some good places to eat. Hard to know what exactly you may be looking for, but will answer any and all questions. Feel free to PM and happy to visit any time.

You were the first golf invite I was thinking of! It's been too long, anyway. Still coming for Montefest in Chicago?

> @tatertot said:

> Again, feel free to PM with more questions or if you want to get out and play some time.

Thank you! I'm excited about what I've learned of Des Moines, but that's also some heavy spin from "Welcome Wagon" type websites.

> @games said:

> > @Hawkeye77 said:

> > Don't live there, but been visiting there all my life and spent a couple summer there back in the day. Headed there Saturday, but no golf, unfortunately - wife and youngest daughter meeting up at Civic Center (they love their Broadway, lol). Plenty of golf in and around Des Moines and not far away, good variety of areas to live, some good places to eat. Hard to know what exactly you may be looking for, but will answer any and all questions. Feel free to PM and happy to visit any time.

>

> You were the first golf invite I was thinking of! It's been too long, anyway. Still coming for Montefest in Chicago?

Yes sir!

And headed to Des Moines in forty minutes!

Was informed I will be receiving a written offer this week! Just incredible... I guess we were looking to downsize, anyway.

The more I ask around and read, the more I like about Des Moines. Looks like a nice selection of townhomes and condos in the metro area. Found a condo in the Glen Oaks complex. Anyone know anything about Glen Oaks or recommend another course with condo / townhome style living in the area?

The Glen Oaks area is very nice. The course is great and the men's locker room is really cool with a full bar in it. I don't know much about the membership (people), as I have only played it a handful of times. They have very good practice facilities. I'm not sure what the price is. I think it is in the neighborhood of $20,000 initiation. Maybe it is less if you live on the property. When I lived in Des Moines I was a member at Echo Valley and I still go back for the member/guest every year. It is more of a "golf club" than a "country club". Very down to earth and not snooty at all. All of the neighbors know each other, they stop in at each other's places all the time. Not sure what is available for housing around the golf course. They have several townhomes around the course, but I'm not sure if any are available. The course is 27 holes and they have been doing some renovations to one of the 9s. The newist 9 holes, the Ridge, is about 13-14 years old now and is great. I would guess that is $5,000 initiation or less.

> @henniga said:

> When I lived in Des Moines I was a member at Echo Valley and I still go back for the member/guest every year. It is more of a "golf club" than a "country club". Very down to earth and not snooty at all. All of the neighbors know each other, they stop in at each other's places all the time... I would guess that is $5,000 initiation or less.

This sounds like a place I'd fit in a little better! Liked what I saw on the website. I'll check it out!

IT IS OFFICIAL. I am moving to Des Moines! Start work there second week of July for a firm downtown near Nationwide. My temporary residence is TBD, but hopeful for corporate housing near a course.

If you’re working downtown why not live near Wakonda Club and be a member there? Not cheap, but great course. Close to work.

How has Des Moines been?

Join the Harvester Club (Rhodes). You will make lots of friends on GolfWRX and thousand greens very quickly!

in all seriousness, there is a lot of good public golf near by. Harvester is too far. Would highly recommend playing public year 1, figuring out your living situation and so forth. Will also allow you to travel around and play some other great places. TCI is a good course for public money IMO. Also make a road trip to places like Ames, Iowa City, Riverside, Burlington and play some of the best in state public courses in year 1. If you want to join a private club I’m positive they would be happy to have your dues beginning next year as well.

Harvester is golf heaven.

I miss the Harvester ... a lot.

Since you live near Ankeny, I would suggest possibly looking into a membership at Briarwood. It is probably the cheapest private club in town and I have a buddy who loves being a member there. The course isn't Glen Oaks or Des Moines Golf, but it's also about half the monthly price without the big up front initiation fee. I live in Grimes and would probably be long there if it wasn't a 25-30 minute drive. Jester and TCI or probably my two favorite public courses in town. Legacy would be good to check out as well, although it is a bit farther away.

And yes, I greatly miss Harvester. I really looked forward to the times when I would pay their all day rate and play 54.