best public courses in iowa

[adamjstl]

I've varying reports, so I would love to know from anyone who has played all over the state, what are top 5 in Iowa? And is there a big discrepancy between The Harvester and everywhere else in terms of quality?

[Tarantula18t]

I really can't give you a top 5, simply because I have only played about a dozen courses in the state. I haven't been to many of the highly rated ones likes the Harverster, and the new casino course south of Cedar Rapids. Although, I would have a hard time believing that Amana isn't in the top 5 public. I have played there, and that course was awfully good.

[The Duck]

They are Snowmobile trails today

[daughterscameron]

[quote name='adamjstl' timestamp='1295795644' post='2917548']
I've varying reports, so I would love to know from anyone who has played all over the state, what are top 5 in Iowa? And is there a big discrepancy between The Harvester and everywhere else in terms of quality?
[/quote]


I've only played a couple of courses in Iowa. One being The Harvester. What an outstanding
course!! Was there for a weekend, can't believe how beautiful that couse and it's surroundings
were. The 18th hole seemed like it was carved from a video game. lol. JMO and that really doesn't
give you the top 5. Sorry.

[all4isu]

I am biased as I worked at The Harvester but it's Iowa's #1 course. It really is the best Iowa has to offer and is that much better than anything else but you will pay for it. If you have a chance to play it don't hesitate. I believe it's ranked in the top 30-40 public courses in the country.

[DavePelz4]

[quote name='all4isu' timestamp='1297292033' post='2964003']
I am biased as I worked at The Harvester but it's Iowa's #1 course. It really is the best Iowa has to offer and is that much better than anything else but you will pay for it. If you have a chance to play it don't hesitate. I believe it's ranked in the top 30-40 public courses in the country.
[/quote]

Sneak over the border into Illinois and you have TPC Deere Run and the General as top courses. Our economy needs the $$$'s.

[all4isu]

[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1297292099' post='2964007']
[quote name='all4isu' timestamp='1297292033' post='2964003']
I am biased as I worked at The Harvester but it's Iowa's #1 course. It really is the best Iowa has to offer and is that much better than anything else but you will pay for it. If you have a chance to play it don't hesitate. I believe it's ranked in the top 30-40 public courses in the country.
[/quote]

Sneak over the border into Illinois and you have TPC Deere Run and the General as top courses. Our economy needs the $s.
[/quote]

I play the TPC Deere Run course at least once a year right before the tour comes through town. It's a great great course and I enjoy it just as much as The Harvester. I will look up The General, havn't played that one.

[DavePelz4]

[quote name='all4isu' timestamp='1297292302' post='2964018']
[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1297292099' post='2964007']
[quote name='all4isu' timestamp='1297292033' post='2964003']
I am biased as I worked at The Harvester but it's Iowa's #1 course. It really is the best Iowa has to offer and is that much better than anything else but you will pay for it. If you have a chance to play it don't hesitate. I believe it's ranked in the top 30-40 public courses in the country.
[/quote]

Sneak over the border into Illinois and you have TPC Deere Run and the General as top courses. Our economy needs the $s.
[/quote]

I play the TPC Deere Run course at least once a year right before the tour comes through town. It's a great great course and I enjoy it just as much as The Harvester. I will look up The General, havn't played that one.
[/quote]

A great 36 hole day is to play the North Course at Eagle Ridge and then follow it with a round on the General. Try to do that a couple of times a year. Fun, fun golf on a very scenic pair of tracks.

[zig99]

Any suggestions on a good course near sioux city to get a membership at?

[sabram]

Here's a link to my photos of the Harvester: [url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/578136020gxKSRO"]Harvester[/url]

[adamjstl]

thanks for the pictures link... you saved me from being disappointed lol.... for 36th best public course in america I expected ALOT more wow factor

[CFA Jay]

[quote name='zig99' timestamp='1298232973' post='2995250']
Any suggestions on a good course near sioux city to get a membership at?
[/quote]

When I was growing up my parents belonged to Sioux City Country Club. That is where I learned to play golf. Excellent course.

[sabram]

[quote name='adamjstl' timestamp='1298520058' post='3004402']
for 36th best public course in america I expected ALOT more wow factor
[/quote]

Some courses have "Wow" scenery and some have good golf holes. Were expecting mountains, oceans or marshland in Iowa? All I can say is that this course has lots of really good golf holes. For the price I'd say "wow."

[adamjstl]

of course i didn't expect oceans and mountains, but 36th best public in america should be impressive to look at. plain and simple. it looks nice, but you can't say top 50 in the country with so little WOW factor. period.

[sabram]

[quote name='adamjstl' timestamp='1301689103' post='3110342']
you can't say top 50 in the country with so little WOW factor. period.
[/quote]

Of course I can, and so did Golf Magazine and other sources. Wow factor is not what makes a good golf course. By your test I suppose Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas couldn't have a top 50 public course. By your test the Old course at St Andrews would not be a good course, yet most people who have played it think it is one of the greatest in the world. IMO the ranking of a course is in how it plays not how it looks. If you like man made wateraflls and stuff like that you can create "wow" even in the Plains, but that doesn't make a good golf course. Golf week, Golf Digest and Golf Magazine all have had the Harvester as the #1 public access course in Iowa and it has been listed as a top 100 public in the US more than once. I'm not one who loves the lists.Although wow factor is important to you, it is not what I and many others use as the main criteria for a good golf course.

[adamjstl]

well of course there are many factors involved in how good/great the course is... if you actually look at the evalutation process used by Golf Digest for course rankings it's so lame... i believe they have 8 categories. I can't remember all the categories, just that "shot values" counts double.... so essentially "aesthetics" counts only 11.1% of the rating system... that's pathetic... i rate based on 4 categories- conditioning, design quality, aesthetics(including wow factor), and memorability...

and as to your other comment about me thinking that no courses in kansas or iowa not making the top 100 list.... i just played SPIRIT HOLLOW is burlington, iowa last september and it was awesome. a great course. in my personal top 5-10, out of 85... and, yes, it had "wow" factor... elevation, trees, water, etc... it was also in great shape, with a very good layout, and several very memorable holes... WEAVER RIDGE is consistently in golf digest top 100 and SPIRIT HOLLOW was BY FAR the better of the two... so there you go.

and st. andrews... yeah, it's the home of golf, and has all the history, blah, blah, blah... i've seen it on tv many, many times and it is hideous... and appears to have very little, if any, elevation change... so honestly i don't know what i would think of it.... but you can't just assume that everyone is gonna love a course because it has accolades and/or history.

[sleuth]

Have the wife's family in Des Moines and I've had the opportunity to play a few courses out there.

Harvester is great. Only played it once and the greens were like ice. I swear they must have been at least a 13 on the stimp meter. I 4 putted a few times rofl. I'm not that bad of a putter, I swear! Just not used to this coming from overpriced, municipal courses around Chicago.
TCI is another great course. I think it's probably one of the most scenic courses I have ever played. Not awfully difficult but absolutely gorgeous. I shot a 77 my first and only time on that course.
TPC Deere Run is another great course. The course is pretty deceptive. It's beautifully laid out and the course doesn't appear to be difficult. Been there half a dozen times and I don't think I've ever shot lower than a 84. I don't know why. The length of the rough is very unforgiving, so you better be accurate.
Legacy - I played it on a very wet and soggy day so my review would be very bias.
The Preserve - Hope you like links style golf! This is a great one! Highly recommend.

[adamjstl]

[quote name='sleuth' timestamp='1301935780' post='3117313']
Have the wife's family in Des Moines and I've had the opportunity to play a few courses out there.

Harvester is great. Only played it once and the greens were like ice. I swear they must have been at least a 13 on the stimp meter. I 4 putted a few times rofl. I'm not that bad of a putter, I swear! Just not used to this coming from overpriced, municipal courses around Chicago.
TCI is another great course. I think it's probably one of the most scenic courses I have ever played. Not awfully difficult but absolutely gorgeous. I shot a 77 my first and only time on that course.
TPC Deere Run is another great course. The course is pretty deceptive. It's beautifully laid out and the course doesn't appear to be difficult. Been there half a dozen times and I don't think I've ever shot lower than a 84. I don't know why. The length of the rough is very unforgiving, so you better be accurate.
Legacy - I played it on a very wet and soggy day so my review would be very bias.
The Preserve - Hope you like links style golf! This is a great one! Highly recommend.
[/quote]

thanks for the info... do any of them stand out over the rest??

[sleuth]

[quote name='adamjstl' timestamp='1301945959' post='3117940']
[quote name='sleuth' timestamp='1301935780' post='3117313']
Have the wife's family in Des Moines and I've had the opportunity to play a few courses out there.

Harvester is great. Only played it once and the greens were like ice. I swear they must have been at least a 13 on the stimp meter. I 4 putted a few times rofl. I'm not that bad of a putter, I swear! Just not used to this coming from overpriced, municipal courses around Chicago.
TCI is another great course. I think it's probably one of the most scenic courses I have ever played. Not awfully difficult but absolutely gorgeous. I shot a 77 my first and only time on that course.
TPC Deere Run is another great course. The course is pretty deceptive. It's beautifully laid out and the course doesn't appear to be difficult. Been there half a dozen times and I don't think I've ever shot lower than a 84. I don't know why. The length of the rough is very unforgiving, so you better be accurate.
Legacy - I played it on a very wet and soggy day so my review would be very bias.
The Preserve - Hope you like links style golf! This is a great one! Highly recommend.
[/quote]

thanks for the info... do any of them stand out over the rest??
[/quote]
In order of my preference: Deere Run, Harvester, TCI, Preserve and then Legacy.

Deere Run is first for me. Only because this is a PGA Tour course. I enjoy watching the John Deere Classic and seeing how the players play their shots, and what kind of strategies they implement for each hole. Kind of makes you rethink your golf strategy when you're out there playing. This isn't an overly difficult course, however. You'll watch the tour players just tear it up and watch the event winner finish at -30. Goydo's shot a 59 last year. So if you're looking for a great, challenging course I would suggest Harvester (difficulty should only detract you if you're a scratch golfer). This is a picturesque course with some great finishing holes. I've played many other PGA Courses in the area, including Whistling Straits (2010 PGA Championship) and Cog Hill (BMW Classic). I personally disdain Cog Hill and Whistling Straits, while amazing, is supremely expensive. Deere Run always has me coming back because it's just a well laid out course, relatively inexpensive, and no two holes are the same.

Aside from the aforementioned course, Harvester and TCI are great courses in there own right. Harvester is a challenging long hitters course. TCI is just gorgeous. Arnold Palmer's handy work is evident because every other hole is a draw hole.

[adamjstl]

[quote name='sleuth' timestamp='1301948869' post='3118181']
[quote name='adamjstl' timestamp='1301945959' post='3117940']
[quote name='sleuth' timestamp='1301935780' post='3117313']
Have the wife's family in Des Moines and I've had the opportunity to play a few courses out there.

Harvester is great. Only played it once and the greens were like ice. I swear they must have been at least a 13 on the stimp meter. I 4 putted a few times rofl. I'm not that bad of a putter, I swear! Just not used to this coming from overpriced, municipal courses around Chicago.
TCI is another great course. I think it's probably one of the most scenic courses I have ever played. Not awfully difficult but absolutely gorgeous. I shot a 77 my first and only time on that course.
TPC Deere Run is another great course. The course is pretty deceptive. It's beautifully laid out and the course doesn't appear to be difficult. Been there half a dozen times and I don't think I've ever shot lower than a 84. I don't know why. The length of the rough is very unforgiving, so you better be accurate.
Legacy - I played it on a very wet and soggy day so my review would be very bias.
The Preserve - Hope you like links style golf! This is a great one! Highly recommend.
[/quote]

thanks for the info... do any of them stand out over the rest??
[/quote]
In order of my preference: Deere Run, Harvester, TCI, Preserve and then Legacy.

Deere Run is first for me. Only because this is a PGA Tour course. I enjoy watching the John Deere Classic and seeing how the players play their shots, and what kind of strategies they implement for each hole. Kind of makes you rethink your golf strategy when you're out there playing. This isn't an overly difficult course, however. You'll watch the tour players just tear it up and watch the event winner finish at -30. Goydo's shot a 59 last year. So if you're looking for a great, challenging course I would suggest Harvester (difficulty should only detract you if you're a scratch golfer). This is a picturesque course with some great finishing holes. I've played many other PGA Courses in the area, including Whistling Straits (2010 PGA Championship) and Cog Hill (BMW Classic). I personally disdain Cog Hill and Whistling Straits, while amazing, is supremely expensive. Deere Run always has me coming back because it's just a well laid out course, relatively inexpensive, and no two holes are the same.

Aside from the aforementioned course, Harvester and TCI are great courses in there own right. Harvester is a challenging long hitters course. TCI is just gorgeous. Arnold Palmer's handy work is evident because every other hole is a draw hole.
[/quote]

disdain cog hill? really? why is that??

[sleuth]

[quote name='adamjstl' timestamp='1302010890' post='3121521']
disdain cog hill? really? why is that??
[/quote]
I was playing in a group with a local Corporate CFO and he was giving me the lowdown. The owners of Cog Hill were trying so hard to improve the course in order to host any major. That's why they spent millions and hired Reese Jones as the golf architect to do the improvements. Of course, they fell short and the owners are overly pissed. They didn't change much on the course layout itself. If anything they took away from it and made it worse. This is pretty much the consensus in the area. For the everyday golfer this is just not a fun course. I think there's about 150 bunkers on No. 4 (Dubsdread). Almost every green is surrounded and flanked by bunkers on every side. This is the same as the fairway bunkers. I'll be shocked if a person isn't hitting a sand shot at least every other hole. The reality is there isn't a good balance here and it really detracts from the course itself. And at the price, a lot of us play Ruffled Feathers across the street instead. In the Chicago land area, Dubs isn't any better than some of the $80-$100 muni courses. It just feels and plays like an overpriced sand box. I was not wowed by the course, it was not that attractive and I will not be returning soon. Unless I have some friends visiting who have the itch.

[herbst20]

The Harvestor is my favorite course in Iowa without a doubt. The course is LONG but generous landing areas off the tee so it makes for a good course. We play the Heaven and Hell Scramble there every year. The Back 9 is a beast from the tips!

I am a member at the Amana Colonies so I am kinda partial to the course. It was rated 4.5 stars from Golf Digest. ( if anyone ever wants to play there, I can get them a discount ...Let me know)

I used to be an assistant pro at the General at Eagle Ridge.....I am not a fan of this course. To much of a gimic. I would rather play the South Course instead.

Spirit Hollow in Burlington is a great track as well. It would definately be a top 5 for me.

Tournament Club of Iowa is a great track as well.


Scott

[sleuth]

[quote name='herbst20' timestamp='1302016763' post='3121878']
I am a member at the Amana Colonies so I am kinda partial to the course. It was rated 4.5 stars from Golf Digest. ( if anyone ever wants to play there, I can get them a discount ...Let me know)
[/quote]
What is the discounted rate out of curiosity? I'm relocating to Des Moines in a few weeks and the father in law and I were talking about this place I have to play.

[herbst20]

The discounted rate would be $32 for unlimited play that day.......but you would have to play with a member such as myself.

Scott

[sleuth]

[quote name='herbst20' timestamp='1302022715' post='3122205']
The discounted rate would be $32 for unlimited play that day.......but you would have to play with a member such as myself.

Scott
[/quote]
But you would have to play with two knuckle heads with myself and the inlaw. Hahaha. That is a truly amazing price though. I'll hold you to that offer though if you don't mind

[Hawkeye77]

The above are all good choices and no question some really nice and "high end" courses have been built in Iowa recently.

Leaving aside private courses no one has a chance in heck of playing, there are some courses out there that are "Country Clubs" that you can get on and play, and cheaper than Harvester, Amana, etc., that are well-designed old school golf courses.

Ottumwa Country Club and Fort Dodge Country Club are great golf courses. Finkbine in Iowa City, which is public, gets a lot of play, but it's worth playing. Waveland in Des Moines is a challenging muni and I'm also partial to Jester Park just outside of Des Moines off 141. Just because we've got some admittedly great golf courses that get the headlines, plenty of courses out there worth a look.

Des Moines Register [u]years[/u] ago used to do an 18 best golf holes in Iowa, and there would be a cross section of great holes/courses listed in that.

[herbst20]

Sleuth........that is fine...hold me to it! If we can make it work with our schedules I am all for it!


I was never a big fan of Finkbine........It is a decent course but IMO not up to Big Ten caliber course.

The Meadows in Dubuque is also a decent track......my old head pro is now the GM there.

Another great track is Glynn's Creek in Elderidge Iowa. It is a short drive from the Quad Cities but a great course for the price.

[adamjstl]

[quote name='sleuth' timestamp='1302014012' post='3121715']
[quote name='adamjstl' timestamp='1302010890' post='3121521']
disdain cog hill? really? why is that??
[/quote]
I was playing in a group with a local Corporate CFO and he was giving me the lowdown. The owners of Cog Hill were trying so hard to improve the course in order to host any major. That's why they spent millions and hired Reese Jones as the golf architect to do the improvements. Of course, they fell short and the owners are overly pissed. They didn't change much on the course layout itself. If anything they took away from it and made it worse. This is pretty much the consensus in the area. For the everyday golfer this is just not a fun course. I think there's about 150 bunkers on No. 4 (Dubsdread). Almost every green is surrounded and flanked by bunkers on every side. This is the same as the fairway bunkers. I'll be shocked if a person isn't hitting a sand shot at least every other hole. The reality is there isn't a good balance here and it really detracts from the course itself. And at the price, a lot of us play Ruffled Feathers across the street instead. In the Chicago land area, Dubs isn't any better than some of the $80-$100 muni courses. It just feels and plays like an overpriced sand box. I was not wowed by the course, it was not that attractive and I will not be returning soon. Unless I have some friends visiting who have the itch.
[/quote]


yeah, my friend played cog hill and said it was really solid, etc... i said the same as you- from seeing on tv every year, it looks like a typical country club- very well kept, a bunch of bunkers, parkland layout, that while a nice golf course, lacked the memorability and wow factor to be considered a big deal.... i've played ruffled feathers and thought it was an exciting and very memorable course.

[adamjstl]

[quote name='herbst20' timestamp='1302016763' post='3121878']
The Harvestor is my favorite course in Iowa without a doubt. The course is LONG but generous landing areas off the tee so it makes for a good course. We play the Heaven and Hell Scramble there every year. The Back 9 is a beast from the tips!

I am a member at the Amana Colonies so I am kinda partial to the course. It was rated 4.5 stars from Golf Digest. ( if anyone ever wants to play there, I can get them a discount ...Let me know)

I used to be an assistant pro at the General at Eagle Ridge.....I am not a fan of this course. To much of a gimic. I would rather play the South Course instead.

Spirit Hollow in Burlington is a great track as well. It would definately be a top 5 for me.

Tournament Club of Iowa is a great track as well.


Scott
[/quote]

was harvester ALOT better than spirit hollow? how do they compare as far as aesthetics and memorable holes?? I've played spirit, and our group was considering a trip to the harvester at the end of may... it's a 6 hour trip... worth it??

[huskerpower_105]

Growing up in Cedar Rapids these were/are my favorites.Bluetop Ridge, TCI, Spirit Hollow, Preserve, Harvester, Legacy, not a fan of eagle ridge. I also loved being able to play Elmcrest Country Club and Cedar Rapids Country Club whenever i got the chance. Veenker is also a pretty nice course up in Ames