Tournament Club of Iowa

[slpgolf08]

Heard its a great course. My high school team is taking a spring trip down there and just wanted to hear some reviews

[CyFan]

Very nice course. Mostly a target style of play. Personally, has too many holes that take driver out of your hands. But usually in very nice condition, and a fun play. They have a good website, that has a layout, etc. http://www.tcofiowa.com/

 

Not sure how long you'll be in the area, but another top notch course you might want to try is The Harvestor. Personally, I like it better than the TCI. I think it has more character, with no two holes being the same - yet they all fit together. Makes you play every club in your bag. There website is: http://www.harvestergolf.com/index.html

 

Have a great time!

[theironhorse]

as Cy said, definite target golf. accuracy off the tee a must. very short (relatively) as well.

[forgedforever]

as Cy said, definite target golf. accuracy off the tee a must. very short (relatively) as well.

 

Well, I dunno about short. I just checked the yardage of the 4th hole using the Palmer tees ( the second of four sets of tees) on the website. This par 5 plays at 5478 yards!! And that's only the 7th handicap hole on the course!

 

Anyway, it's always fun to find a misprint on a website!

 

Seriously, this looks like it would be a great course to play. It's an Arnold Palmer design. It has to be good, as he also designed Arbor Links in Nebraska City several years ago. That is one very challenging track to play from the longer tees. I was lucky enough to get his autograph, coming off the 9th hole, the day that course was dedicated.

 

 

 

[KevCarter]

Well, I dunno about short. I just checked the yardage of the 4th hole using the Palmer tees ( the second of four sets of tees) on the website. This par 5 plays at 5478 yards!! And that's only the 7th handicap hole on the course!

 

 

Driver, 22 3 woods, and a couple of chips with 3 putts. What's the big deal?

 

Kevin

[forgedforever]

Well, I dunno about short. I just checked the yardage of the 4th hole using the Palmer tees ( the second of four sets of tees) on the website. This par 5 plays at 5478 yards!! And that's only the 7th handicap hole on the course!

 

 

Driver, 22 3 woods, and a couple of chips with 3 putts. What's the big deal?

 

Kevin

 

 

 

HAHA Kevin. Only problem is, you're done with the hole and I'm probably still 448 out after all those 3-wood shots!

 

 

[jshel]

Tournament Club of Iowa isn't bad. For most of the round, you won't really believe you are in Iowa with the number of trees and the amount of elevation change.

I agree that The Harvester is better, but TCI is pretty solid.

To the OP, I see you are from the Twin Cities. Well, this course is owned and run by the same people who have The Legends in Prior Lake. So you can expect the same kind of experience.

[Preduck]

This is a very good track for the area. Usually is in great shape with a friendly staff. I'd agree with the reviews saying it's target golf. It's carved out of the woods for the most part, which is nice how it separates you from the other holes, so it feels like your the only one on the course most of the time. The biggest thing I don't like about this course are the finishing holes. It closes with 2 par 3s that are the same length from the tees I usually play, then 2 holes that don't fit the course at all. I've heard they are designed that way for the stadium effect to host tournaments, but they just seem very out of place. I'd personally play Harvester over TCI and The Legacy in Norwalk would be another good choice.

[all4isu]

I agree with with the comments about the last 4 holes, they are a terrible layout/finish. Most day's I'd rather play The Legacy in Norwalk which is cheaper. Harvester is better IMO as well and its not even close.

[Preduck]

Legacy's green's are probably the fastest in the area in my opinion.

[mojo_13]

TCI was my first "High Class" course that I had played and can say that I was impressed but not overly impressed. Don't get me wrong it was a very nice course but like some people have said the ending of the course leaves something to be desired. I had alot of fun but for the price there are better courses around the Des Moines area.

[Lexicographer]

Planning on playing TCI and Harvester this weekend. I'll give a report next week. I've played Harvester many times and it's my favorite course I've ever played. I doubt TCI will change my mind as I'm usually not a big fan of penal target golf, but it does look very very interesting for an Iowa course. Not your typical carved out of a cornfield job. Any tips for a first timer at TCI?

[Mitch_Cumstein]

Not a fan of the course. There are definitely others in the area that I would rather play.

[all4isu]

Believe it or not TCI just lowered their rates for the '11 season. They are now in line with the quality and because of this I will give the course some more play this year. It's a shame the course is not walkable.

[Preduck]

Good to hear they lowered their rates. Something about the drive to Polk City just seems so far out of the way. I'll be looking to play it a few more times this year.

[xXsnowXx]

I am glad I came across this thread. I'll be making a "cross country" trip from New England to Kansas, and was trying to find some courses to play on the way. Harvester and TCI were both on my list as potentials. Looks like I'll probably lean towards Harvester if things work out.

Sorry to venture away from the original topic, but any reviews on Bluetop Ridge at Riverside? Thanks!

[Preduck]

When are you traveling through? Riverside is on my list to play this year. Another good des moines area pic is The Legacy in Norwalk. Worth consideration.

[xXsnowXx]

[quote name='Preduck' timestamp='1299976729' post='3049917']
When are you traveling through? Riverside is on my list to play this year. Another good des moines area pic is The Legacy in Norwalk. Worth consideration.
[/quote]

I'll be in the area at the end of June. A lot of things are bound to change by then, but I'm enjoying reading all the reviews of courses in the area. I basically have my pick of public access courses from Massachusetts to Kansas. My list of choices is getting pretty long!

[DavePelz4]

Well, I dunno about short. I just checked the yardage of the 4th hole using the Palmer tees ( the second of four sets of tees) on the website. This par 5 plays at 5478 yards!! And that's only the 7th handicap hole on the course!

 

 

Driver, 22 3 woods, and a couple of chips with 3 putts. What's the big deal?

 

Kevin

 

For folks on GWrx, that's a driver, 3 wood and 70 degree lob wedge although if it's down wind, most might think about going for it in two.

[sleuth]

TCI is not a difficult course. I posted earlier on a different thread that I shot a 77 on my first and only time playing there. I'm a 8 handicapper and just crushed that course without knowing the layout. Also, since it's an Arnold Palmer course, more than half the holes are draws *yawn*.

I would definitely play this course again, though. Why? It's just absolutely gorgeous. Probably one of the more scenic courses I have ever played.

[ajhuntsman]

Since they've dropped their rates, TCI is one of the very best values in Iowa, in terms of what you get for your greens fees.

It's true, the last 4 holes are repetitive. 15 & 16 are par 3 holes of similar length. 17 & 18 are almost mirror images of each other; the only difference being 17 is longer and a par 5. The last 4 holes are not a deal-breaker, just more of an oddity; it's certainly no reason to avoid TCI.

The first 14 holes are awesome. Lots of angles, excellent use of elevation (more downhill than uphill), generous fairways.

The Harvester is a better course, but it costs a lot more.