Let's be honest… when you think "golf destination," Iowa probably isn't the first place that comes to mind. But here's the thing: while you're fighting for tee times in Scottsdale or dropping serious cash in Myrtle Beach, Iowa is quietly offering some of the Midwest's best golf at prices that won't require a second mortgage.
Why Iowa deserves a spot on your golf bucket list
I know what you're thinking. Iowa? Really? But stick with me here. This state has 395 golf facilities generating over $817 million annually, and some of them are designed by the biggest names in golf architecture. We're talking Arnold Palmer, Rees Jones, and Rick Jacobson courses that rival anything you'll find in traditional golf destinations.
The numbers tell an interesting story. Iowa attracts nearly 835,000 golf trips each year, with visitors spending an average of $202 per trip during their 3.6-day stays. That's a lot of satisfied golfers who've discovered what locals have known all along… you can play championship-caliber golf here without the championship-caliber prices.
What really sets Iowa apart is the variety. You've got everything from links-style prairie courses to dramatic river valley layouts with 100-foot elevation changes. And here's the kicker: green fees are typically 30-50% lower than comparable courses in major cities. So yeah, maybe it's time to reconsider Iowa.
The crown jewel: Spirit Hollow Golf Course
If you only play one course in Iowa (though honestly, why would you limit yourself?), make it Spirit Hollow in Burlington. This Rick Jacobson design consistently ranks as Iowa's #1 public course, and once you see it, you'll understand why.
Built on a former 400-acre cattle ranch in 2000, Spirit Hollow is basically what happens when Mother Nature decides to show off. The course stretches to 7,550 yards from the tips, but don't let that scare you off… there are five tee options ranging down to a much friendlier 5,053 yards. Natural streams come into play on 11 holes, and the elevation changes through the Mississippi River Valley will have you reaching for your camera as often as your driver.
Rates that won't break the bank
Here's where it gets really good. Green fees at Spirit Hollow range from $50-135 depending on when you play, but the real deal is their all-day play option: $125 on weekdays and $135 on weekends. That's right… unlimited golf on one of the Midwest's best courses for what you'd pay for 18 holes at many big-city tracks.
The facility also features Iowa's only Toptracer Range (because who doesn't want to know their exact carry distance while warming up?), a full practice facility, and Lambo's Restaurant for that essential post-round beer and burger.
Where to stay and play packages
Spirit Hollow has figured out the accommodation game too. They've got an eight-room lodge right on property, plus two cabins that can handle up to eight golfers each. Perfect for that annual buddy trip where someone inevitably snores loud enough to wake the dead.
Stay-and-play packages start at $300-350 per night with one round included. But if you're really serious about golf (and let's face it, you wouldn't be reading this if you weren't), spring for the unlimited golf packages ranging from $358-837 per night. Trust me, you'll want to play this course more than once.
Arnold Palmer's Iowa masterpiece
Just 30 miles northwest of Des Moines sits the Tournament Club of Iowa, and it's got a pretty cool claim to fame: it's the only course Arnold Palmer ever designed in Iowa. Opened in 2003 on 500 acres between Big Creek Dam and Saylorville Lake, this place is absolutely bonkers in the best possible way.
The course plays 7,001 yards from the tips with a par of 71, but those numbers don't tell the whole story. The elevation changes here are extreme… we're talking ski-slope steep in some places. Water comes into play on more than half the holes, and the whole thing winds through forests adjacent to Big Creek State Park.
Signature holes that'll test your nerve
The fourth hole is the stuff of golf dreams (or nightmares, depending on your perspective). This 593-yard par 5 drops 50 feet from tee to green with multiple forced carries. It's the kind of hole that makes you simultaneously curse and admire Mr. Palmer's twisted genius.
Then there's the 12th hole, a 442-yard par 4 that ranks among Iowa's most difficult. And just when you think you've survived, the 459-yard finishing hole demands one more precise shot over water. The course rating from the back tees? A teeth-chattering 73.5 with a slope of 139.
Deals that'll make you do a double-take
Here's where it gets interesting. While weekend rates are what you'd expect for a championship course, the weekday specials are almost comically good. How does $42.50 for two players with a cart sound? That's not a typo. You can play an Arnold Palmer design for less than the cost of a nice dinner.
The facility includes everything you'd expect: full practice areas, the Oak Room banquet facility (seats 160+ for those corporate outings), and PGA professional instruction. Plus, it's only 15 minutes from downtown Des Moines, so you can squeeze in a round and still make your dinner reservation.
Go all-in at Blue Top Ridge
Sometimes you want more than just golf, and that's where Blue Top Ridge at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort comes in. This Rees Jones design opened in 2009 and offers something unique: a legitimate championship course attached to a full casino resort. It's like Vegas met Iowa and decided to have a golf baby.
The course itself is a beast at 7,400 yards, incorporating three distinct types of terrain: prairie, river plain, and dramatic hillside. The 16th hole is Iowa's longest at 665 yards, where a creek splits the landing areas and makes even the big hitters think twice about going for it in two.
Resort perks beyond the golf
Green fees run $85 Monday through Thursday and $95 on weekends, with twilight rates dropping to $65 after 3:30 PM. But honestly, the real value here is in the complete resort experience.
The property features:
- Deluxe rooms with golf course views
- Indoor and outdoor pools
- Full spa services
- 750 gaming options in the casino
- Multiple restaurants including Ruthie's Steak & Seafood
Stay-and-play packages range from $280.45 to $351.95 plus tax and include one night's lodging and two rounds of golf. It's basically a mini golf vacation without leaving the Midwest.
Hidden gems worth the detour
While the big names get most of the attention, Iowa has some under-the-radar courses that'll blow your mind. Take Amana Colonies Golf Club, for instance. This William J. Spear design winds through 500 acres of white oak forest in the historic Amana Colonies area, and it might just be the toughest course in Iowa.
Amana Colonies: Where golf meets the forest
The numbers don't lie: 6,824 yards with a slope rating of 146 from the championship tees. But it's not the length that gets you… it's the trees. Towering white oaks line virtually every hole, and the fairways are tighter than your golf buddy's wallet when it's his turn to buy drinks.
Peak season rates are absurdly reasonable at $49-50 on weekdays and $59-65 on weekends, including cart and practice balls. They just finished a new 8,000-square-foot clubhouse in 2024, so at least you'll have a nice place to lick your wounds after the course hands you your lunch.
The Legacy Golf Club: Des Moines' best-kept secret
Fifteen minutes south of Des Moines in Norwalk sits The Legacy Golf Club, a Jeffrey D. Brauer design that locals have been trying to keep quiet about since 2002. This 7,199-yard championship layout offers tour-quality conditions at muni prices.
The front nine winds through a residential area (don't worry, the houses are set back far enough that your slice won't find any windows), while the back nine opens up into Iowa countryside with some spectacular views. Rates are $55 weekdays and $72 weekends, but here's the insider tip: same-day replay is just $35. That's 36 holes of championship golf for less than $100. Your wallet will thank you.
Planning your Iowa golf adventure
Alright, so you're convinced Iowa is worth a visit. Now let's talk logistics, because nobody wants to show up in December wondering why the courses are covered in snow.
When to visit for optimal conditions
Iowa's golf season typically runs from mid-March through November, but the sweet spots are May-June and September-October. The weather's perfect, the courses are in prime condition, and you'll avoid both the summer heat and the spring mud season. Plus, many courses offer shoulder season rates in March-April and November if you're looking to save even more money.
Getting there is easier than you think
Three major airports serve Iowa's golf scene:
- Des Moines International (DSM)
- Cedar Rapids (CID)
- Quad Cities International (MLI)
The beauty of Iowa is that I-80 runs east-west and I-35 runs north-south, intersecting in Des Moines. This means most major courses are within 30 minutes of these main highways. You can easily play multiple courses without spending half your day in the car.
Booking tips from someone who's been there
Most courses allow booking 7 days in advance, though some extend that to 14 days. If you're bringing a big group (30+ players), you'll get access to special rates and can book even further out.
Here's what nobody tells you: book online when possible and have a credit card ready. Cancellation policies usually require 2-24 hours notice, so don't be that guy who no-shows and ruins it for everyone else.
Money-saving passes and packages
If you're planning to play multiple rounds (and trust me, you will), check out the Iowa Golf Trail. Established in 2000, it connects the state's best courses and helps you plan multi-course itineraries that actually make sense geographically.
Even better, grab an Iowa PGA Golf Pass for discounts at over 250 facilities across Iowa and western Illinois. It's like having a secret handshake that gets you reduced rates everywhere you go.
Resort packages that include more than golf
Beyond individual courses, Iowa's resort properties offer comprehensive packages:
- Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort
- Honey Creek Resort at Rathbun Lake
- Lake Okoboji (27 holes at this traditional vacation spot)
These packages typically run $280-837 per night and include unlimited golf, accommodations, and resort amenities. Perfect for when your non-golfing spouse wants something to do besides watch you practice your putting.
Private club excellence (just to make you jealous)
While you can't play them without a member hookup, Iowa's private clubs prove this state has serious golf pedigree. The Harvester Club in Rhodes ranks #179 in America according to Golf Digest. Davenport Country Club, designed by Charles Alison in 1924, sits at #73 on Golfweek's Top 200 Classic Courses. And Cedar Rapids Country Club? That's Donald Ross's only Iowa design.
These courses show that top architects have been coming to Iowa for over a century. The recent renovation boom, including Wakonda Club's 2023 restoration, proves Iowa takes its golf seriously.
The bottom line on Iowa golf
Here's the deal: Iowa has nearly 400 golf courses, generates over $800 million in golf-related economic impact, and offers green fees that are 30-50% below what you'd pay in major metropolitan areas. You can play courses designed by the biggest names in golf architecture, stay at full-service resorts, and never fight crowds for a tee time.
The state ranks in the top 10 nationally for courses per capita, which means you've got options. Lots of them. From links-style prairie courses to tree-lined parkland designs to dramatic river valley layouts, Iowa offers more variety than you'd expect from a state better known for corn and caucuses.
Look, I get it. Iowa doesn't have the beach views of Monterey or the desert vistas of Scottsdale. But what it does have is exceptional golf at reasonable prices, genuine Midwest hospitality, and the kind of uncrowded conditions that let you actually enjoy your round instead of waiting on every shot.
So maybe it's time to think beyond the usual golf destinations. Book a long weekend in Iowa, play some world-class courses, and keep the money you save for that new driver you've been eyeing. Your golf buddies might give you grief when you tell them where you're going, but they'll change their tune when you show them the photos… and the scorecard from that Arnold Palmer course you played for less than fifty bucks.
Trust me on this one. Iowa golf is the real deal, and the secret's getting out. Better book your tee time before everyone else figures it out.
