Inexpensive Des Moines IA courses

mojo_13 · March 31, 2010

Been looking to meet a buddy in Des Moines for some golf once a month and we are looking for some inexpensive courses to play (under $40). I have been looking and see that Grandview, Woodland Hills, AH Blank, and Waveland all look like viable courses. Just wondering if anyone has played any of these and if so if they have any thoughts on them. Thanks

all4isu · March 31, 2010

I've played Grandview and Waveland. It's been a couple years for both but Waveland is hands down the better course. Waveland is not easy with all the elevation changes. I assume you mean 40 w/cart on weekend? Jester Park is about that and decent. Beaver Creek is also around that but more challenging because of the smaller fairways and mass of trees everywhere.

Titleist87 · March 31, 2010

Willow Creek, Jester Park (used to work there), Waveland, Veenker in Ames.

mojo_13 · April 1, 2010

Thanks for the info and yes I did mean $40 with cart on the weekend. I have found that playing after noon at most places gets you a discount so that is probably when we will play. I have played Jester before and it is a nice course (used to play the par 3 from time to time also). Beaver Creek is also another one that I have always wanted to play thanks for bringing it up. I have seen it from the highway but never gotten to play it.

all4isu · April 2, 2010

Beaver is tougher and slightly more expensive but most of the time I think it's worth it. If you get a chance request the South course. It's the best of the 3 nine's but also the hardest. West and South are the two to play if you have a choice.

mojo_13 · April 2, 2010

Beaver is tougher and slightly more expensive but most of the time I think it's worth it. If you get a chance request the South course. It's the best of the 3 nine's but also the hardest. West and South are the two to play if you have a choice.

Thanks for the advice on which course to play. We don't mind a tough course, we are both around 13 handicaps but playing a nice challenging course is never a problem we can hit it in the trees, water, etc just as easy

Hopefully we will be able to get out and try these soon.

Preduck · April 3, 2010

I would second the Beaver Creek suggestion. West and South is the combo to go for. Ask where they will route you when you call for a tee time or ask at the clubhouse. Most of the time, they will start you on the West, then you can ask to play the South. (I think the boys state high school played West/South last year)

Personally, I would stay away from Grandview and Woodland. Grandview is pretty short with nothing great about it except the price in my opinion. Woodland is a little hilly like Waveland, but I think Waveland is the better course with alot more history to it. Jester is another good option. I can't remember, but I think it plays longer than Beaver. If you can wait to do a Twilight, Legacy in Norwalk does $39 for 18 and a cart on the Weekend. I would say that's the best value for that price range. River Valley in Adel is a good course too. I think it'd be worth considering. The remodeled Otter Creek in Ankeny is decent. When I played it, it was windy and the ground was hard as a rock so I don't have a solid opinion on it yet. It does cost a little more, but not too bad.

If you willing to drive to Ames, Veenker would be a good choice. Growing up in Ames, I may be a little biased.....Coldwater is good too up there, it's a links style course.

Hit me up if you have any questions. I've played pretty much every public in the Des Moines area and pretty much none of the private courses haha....