Abandoned Golf Course in Newton

[coolerifyoudid]

Not a golfer. Would rather go fishing or hiking. For all of the golfers on here, were your parents into golf? Or is it more due to your circle of friends? Work related? Just curious.

My dad was one of the original investors in our home town course and has always loved it. I played a decent amount growing up and was on the golf team in high school. I was never much better than a bogey golfer, but I enjoyed it (still do when I go)

I never played in college (poor) and, after college, I got away from it since it was a pain to get on a course and I really didn't have the money. Any more, I may golf once every few years if I meet up with my dad or brothers.

I'd like to golf more, but my friends either don't golf at all or take it waaaay too seriously for my taste. Since my wife and daughter have no interest, I'd rather spend my limited free time with them right now. Maybe I'll pick it back up again when the kid goes to college.

 

[BryceC]

There is no place for casual golfers. There used to be. Tiger ushered in the era of 350 yd drives and professional players whining about every little imperfection of the golf course. The fans followed suit (prodded by the way golf was marketed), which killed off a good deal of the small courses. Then, a bunch of those fans decided that they couldn't afford the money to play on pristine golf courses, or the 4-5 hours of time takes to play one. Since there were no small courses left to go back to, they left golf.

I guess I'm lucky in that I live around Des Moines, and there are still some nice small courses. I haven't played golf anywhere but Grand View for a long time. Even then though, it isn't cheap.

 

[mywayorcyway]

Not a golfer. Would rather go fishing or hiking. For all of the golfers on here, were your parents into golf? Or is it more due to your circle of friends? Work related? Just curious.

I started off goofing around on the farm smacking balls around with my Dad's old clubs that were sitting in the basement. My parents never really played and there is only one family member on either side that plays with any regularity. When I was around 11 our local course had a deal that kids could play on Tuesdays for $0.50. My Mom dropped me off at the course and left me for the day and I was hooked.

30 some years later and I'm still hooked. Would probably be retired by now if it weren't for golf. Drugs might have been cheaper.

 

[cycloneman003]

I picked it up a few years back (mid-twenties) and play when I can. Not good at all, but don't have the time to play enough to improve significantly. Just hard to justify the time on the course with a 1-year old at home!

Got into it via a combination of friends/business outings, interest in watching the sport and the longevity of the hobby into old age. I certainly see myself playing a lot more in my 40's/50's and then all the time into retirement.

Being a poor golfer can be frustrating, but I get a great deal of satisfaction out of it for a few reasons. 1) If I play by myself, walking 18 early in the morning is a nice bit extra exercise, 2) It's a fun competition with friends, 3) It's a great way to spend some time outside rather than on the couch and some of the beautiful courses are just fun to see

 

[Die4Cy]

To be good at golf, you have to be able to regularly hit like three good shots in a row. I can get one consistently, two occasionally. But three in a row is an insurmountable hump for some reason.

The occasional two shots in a row can get you close enough to wanting to come back for more.

 

[2020cy]

It’s real shame, it actually used to be an 11 hole course and maintained very well. A few owners tried to keep it going but couldn’t. A farmer bought it and is trying to develop housing on it, but that has been slow.

 

[Rural]

Every morning I walk through the basement past my state of the art clubs that are now vintage.

 

[theshadow]

As was previously stated, was a country club until Maytag left. Then turned into a public course, which failed after 5 or so years. Now, it's being sold as plots of land to build houses on. I think there have been a few houses built, but over all, it's been a failed project.

Speaking of which, it's still weird as hell to see giant houses where fairways used to be at The Oaks (north of Ames).

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

As was previously stated, was a country club until Maytag left. Then turned into a public course, which failed after 5 or so years. Now, it's being sold as plots of land to build houses on. I think there have been a few houses built, but over all, it's been a failed project.

There's no money left in that town. Manatts are about it.

 

[JY07]

I don't know where iowa stands now, but 15 or so years ago, iowa had the most golf courses per capita.

I'm going to guess the 10 block area around 36th st & delaware in ankeny is leading the charge in that regard with 3 courses

 

[TitanClone]

Not a golfer. Would rather go fishing or hiking. For all of the golfers on here, were your parents into golf? Or is it more due to your circle of friends? Work related? Just curious.

Played maybe 5 times in middle school. And then didn't really play until my senior year of high school when I went out in the fall because it was free golf. Parents play maybe 3 times a year each, my brother and I were just busy with baseball, basketball and soccer year round.

Get to Ames, 1 of the first friends I made loves golf and it's led to an obsession. Not sure if they still have it but Honey Creek had a deal on Wednesday's where you could play unlimited golf for the day for $35, no exams/quizzes, it's nice out, we can miss class today.

Now it's my favorite activity, there's a small course 5 minutes from me and 5 minutes from my office that I can play 9 holes by myself in ~1 hour after work. It's like going for a walk to clear your mind.

 

[enisthemenace]

Played maybe 5 times in middle school. And then didn't really play until my senior year of high school when I went out in the fall because it was free golf. Parents play maybe 3 times a year each, my brother and I were just busy with baseball, basketball and soccer year round.

Get to Ames, 1 of the first friends I made loves golf and it's led to an obsession. Not sure if they still have it but Honey Creek had a deal on Wednesday's where you could play unlimited golf for the day for $35, no exams/quizzes, it's nice out, we can miss class today.

Now it's my favorite activity, there's a small course 5 minutes from me and 5 minutes from my office that I can play 9 holes by myself in ~1 hour after work. It's like going for a walk to clear your mind.

It’s $50 for all you can play on Wednesday’s now. Still a steal, but not as good as it used to be. Maybe it’s less for students though? Doubt it, but maybe.

 

[TitanClone]

It’s $50 for all you can play on Wednesday’s now. Still a steal, but not as good as it used to be. Maybe it’s less for students though? Doubt it, but maybe.

If they could just figure out how to maintain 16's green it would be the best bang for your buck course I've played. Not the best tee's, fairways or greens but great diversity and 11 is so fun to hear your ball smack the green when you hit it.