Favorite Golf Courses

[CycloneTJS]

The top 10 Iowa courses according to Golf Digest last summer:

1. (1) The Harvester G.C. (pictured above), Rhodes ^
2. (7) Des Moines G. & C.C. (North), West Des Moines
3. (3) Des Moines G. & C.C. (South), West Des Moines
4. (4) Glen Oaks C.C. West Des Moines
5. (5) Wakonda Club, Des Moines
6. (9) Cedar Rapids C.C.
7. (2) Spirit Hollow G. Cse., Burlington ★
8. (8) Blue Top Ridge At Riverside ★
9. (6) Davenport C.C., Pleasant Valley
10. (10) Tournament Club Of Iowa, Polk City★

I've played the Bolded ones and guess I'd like to play the other 4 plus Ames G&C even though I know nothing about it other than it is in God's Country!

World wide: St. Andrews, Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Firestone and Cypress Point.

 

[CyGuy5]

My bucket list courses:
1- Hazeltine (I was at the Ryder Cup and would eventually like to golf the course)
2- Augusta
3- Pebble Beach
4- St Andrews

 

[Cyclone.TV]

I heard rumor that Albaugh (spelling?) was trying to buy Briarwood.

I highly doubt this to be the case.

He doesn't make anyone pay for the current course he has, so I don't think he would want to get another just to maybe make some money.

 

[octaviouspoon]

For years my friends and I have talked about playing Amana, Spirit Hollow, and Blue Top. Between the 3 which would people suggest playing? Since we have been talking about it for years and we haven't played any of them might as well just shoot for one to start. Considering we live in DSM we are really dragging out feet.

 

[Cyclone.TV]

I played Quintero, which is north of Phoenix/Scottsdale. Supposedly one of the nicest in AZ. I liked it a lot, but the dude I was playing with made us hit from the tips. Neither had any business playing there. I'm a 7, but the slope was 148. I was -1 thru 5, then it took for the worse....the way way worse.

 

[1100011CS]

The top 10 Iowa courses according to Golf Digest last summer:

1. (1) The Harvester G.C. (pictured above), Rhodes ^
2. (7) Des Moines G. & C.C. (North), West Des Moines
3. (3) Des Moines G. & C.C. (South), West Des Moines
4. (4) Glen Oaks C.C. West Des Moines
5. (5) Wakonda Club, Des Moines
6. (9) Cedar Rapids C.C.
7. (2) Spirit Hollow G. Cse., Burlington ★
8. (8) Blue Top Ridge At Riverside ★
9. (6) Davenport C.C., Pleasant Valley
10. (10) Tournament Club Of Iowa, Polk City★

I've played the Bolded ones and guess I'd like to play the other 4 plus Ames G&C even though I know nothing about it other than it is in God's Country!

World wide: St. Andrews, Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Firestone and Cypress Point.

There's really nothing good about Ames G&C. Harvester is very nice but very pricey for Iowa.

 

[1100011CS]

For years my friends and I have talked about playing Amana, Spirit Hollow, and Blue Top. Between the 3 which would people suggest playing? Since we have been talking about it for years and we haven't played any of them might as well just shoot for one to start. Considering we live in DSM we are really dragging out feet.

Played in a 4-man at Amana. Very hilly and lots of timber. Fun course and I think the price was reasonable.

 

[kcdc4isu]

I highly doubt this to be the case.

He doesn't make anyone pay for the current course he has, so I don't think he would want to get another just to maybe make some money.

Rumor was he was going to buy it, close it and sell lots for homes.

 

[Cyclone.TV]

Rumor was he was going to buy it, close it and sell lots for homes.

I’d believe that more I suppose.

 

[FerShizzle]

Rumor was he was going to buy it, close it and sell lots for homes.

NOOO! HE'S THE GOLF GRINCH.

 

[mywayorcyway]

I played Quintero, which is north of Phoenix/Scottsdale. Supposedly one of the nicest in AZ. I liked it a lot, but the dude I was playing with made us hit from the tips. Neither had any business playing there. I'm a 7, but the slope was 148. I was -1 thru 5, then it took for the worse....the way way worse.

I've never taken an a**-whooping from a course like Quintero gave me. It may be the most difficult course I've ever played, and I have played a lot of golf courses. I shot upper 80s my first trip (don't remember the exact number), during a tournament, one tee up from the tips. That bruised the ego so my friends and I went back a month later. Shot a 92. I'm a 3 handicap. That was two years ago and I haven't been back. I keep scorecards from various courses, and I still have the second one as a reminder. Hoping to replace it someday with a better number but it will be a lot of therapy before I get back out there.

The difference between "great shot", "ok shot" and "you'll never see that ball again" is very small. Pretty, and worth the trip, but be prepared to come home black and blue.

 

[CyForPresident]

Amana is very nice but incredibly hilly. Besides the tee box, you won’t have a level lye all day, which makes it very hard.

My 2018 wish list
Blue Top Ridge
Hunter's Ridge
Wildcat Golf Course - Shellsburg (only played glow golf on it)
Pin Oak Links - Manchester
Saddleback - Solon
Wellman Golf Course - Sand green course that looks interesting

Anyone ever played a round on a Simulator? I’m gonna try that this winter

 

[Cyclone.TV]

I've never taken an a**-whooping from a course like Quintero gave me. It may be the most difficult course I've ever played, and I have played a lot of golf courses. I shot upper 80s my first trip (don't remember the exact number), during a tournament, one tee up from the tips. That bruised the ego so my friends and I went back a month later. Shot a 92. I'm a 3 handicap. That was two years ago and I haven't been back. I keep scorecards from various courses, and I still have the second one as a reminder. Hoping to replace it someday with a better number but it will be a lot of therapy before I get back out there.

The difference between "great shot", "ok shot" and "you'll never see that ball again" is very small. Pretty, and worth the trip, but be prepared to come home black and blue.

Completely agree. It was EXHAUSTING playing from the tips and I should have never, ever been playing from there. There were at least 2 drives where I had to hit it 250-260 to just reach the fairway. Every par 3 was 210+, and with the elevation change it made it incredibly difficult.

If you miss the fairway by 10 yards it’s “where the hell is that ball?” It’s an automatic double and that’s being generous. I hit some incredible irons and made some putts first 5 holes. Then it was a double bogey fest the rest of the way. And the greens were fast and firm. I’m guessing I was -1 thru 5 and probably shot 95ish. I was looking for balls just so I had enough to get through the round.

 

[mywayorcyway]

Completely agree. It was EXHAUSTING playing from the tips and I should have never, ever been playing from there. There were at least 2 drives where I had to hit it 250-260 to just reach the fairway. Every par 3 was 210+, and with the elevation change it made it incredibly difficult.

If you miss the fairway by 10 yards it’s “where the hell is that ball?” It’s an automatic double and that’s being generous. I hit some incredible irons and made some putts first 5 holes. Then it was a double bogey fest the rest of the way. And the greens were fast and firm. I’m guessing I was -1 thru 5 and probably shot 95ish. I was looking for balls just so I had enough to get through the round.

I didn't medicate enough last time and remember much more about the round than I should. I lost two balls that landed on the green. One on a par 4 nearly stopped, trickled right, ran off the side, then through the grass and went down a drop off. Could see the ball but it was unrecoverable. On a par 3 I hit the green, it bounced twice, then shot off the left side. Gone. On a short par 4, hit a hybrid, a nine iron into the green, didn't quite clear the very tall bunker, made an 8 (that was just a stupid blunder - hit enough club, moron). There were many other not so memorable shots, and as my swing got worse as the day went on, the numbers got bigger and bigger. I'm starting to sweat just thinking about it.

 

[octaviouspoon]

Amana is very nice but incredibly hilly. Besides the tee box, you won’t have a level lye all day, which makes it very hard.

My 2018 wish list
Blue Top Ridge
Hunter's Ridge
Wildcat Golf Course - Shellsburg (only played glow golf on it)
Pin Oak Links - Manchester
Saddleback - Solon
Wellman Golf Course - Sand green course that looks interesting

Anyone ever played a round on a Simulator? I’m gonna try that this winter

I'll play a few rounds a month at Broheim's in Waukee and will also go to their "driving range" to just get some swings in. Obviously doesn't compare to playing outdoors, but can't complain about swinging a club during the winter months.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Amana is very nice but incredibly hilly. Besides the tee box, you won’t have a level lye all day, which makes it very hard.

My 2018 wish list
Blue Top Ridge
Hunter's Ridge
Wildcat Golf Course - Shellsburg (only played glow golf on it)
Pin Oak Links - Manchester
Saddleback - Solon
Wellman Golf Course - Sand green course that looks interesting

Anyone ever played a round on a Simulator? I’m gonna try that this winter

I've done it a couple times. It's a good time! I thought that off the tee and approach shots were really accurate. I struggle with pitching the ball because I contact the ball a little differently hitting off a mat than I would on an actual grass surface. The ball tends to come out much hotter that I would hit it on the course.

 

[mywayorcyway]

Completely agree. It was EXHAUSTING playing from the tips and I should have never, ever been playing from there. There were at least 2 drives where I had to hit it 250-260 to just reach the fairway. Every par 3 was 210+, and with the elevation change it made it incredibly difficult.

If you miss the fairway by 10 yards it’s “where the hell is that ball?” It’s an automatic double and that’s being generous. I hit some incredible irons and made some putts first 5 holes. Then it was a double bogey fest the rest of the way. And the greens were fast and firm. I’m guessing I was -1 thru 5 and probably shot 95ish. I was looking for balls just so I had enough to get through the round.

Do they have a clubhouse yet? When I was there last they had a real building, but it was supposed to be temporary - a small pro shop with a small attached restaurant - maybe 8 tables. It was a mile from the range and first tee. Is that still the case or have they put something up near the range?

 

[enisthemenace]

For years my friends and I have talked about playing Amana, Spirit Hollow, and Blue Top. Between the 3 which would people suggest playing? Since we have been talking about it for years and we haven't played any of them might as well just shoot for one to start. Considering we live in DSM we are really dragging out feet.

A buddy of mine and I tried this exact trip last summer. Amana had an outing the day it made sense logistically for us though, so we ended up only playing Spirit Hollow and Blue Top. I have played Amana though, so do have an opinion.

All 3 courses are great, as far as I’m concerned. I would put Blue Top Ridge above the other 2, but not by much. What puts it at the top for me is that it has always been immaculate when I’ve played it. There are also 5-6 sets of tees you can play, and you will get a different course from each set. We played 54 holes one day, and 3 different tees...had a great time.

I think Amanas would be #2, but it’s a course that can vary considerably depending on when you go. It has been mentioned, but it is cut out of a lot of trees. When you play that course, you feel like you are all alone on each hole. It really is great. There are really cool holes too. Now...some of the negatives:

- it is low lying, and does not drain well. If there has been rain in the area, it will be soggy...really soggy in a lot of places
- Mosquitoes can be down right thick there...again, depending on time of year and recent weather
- they sometimes don’t take care of their bunkers like they should. I’ve played it before where you simply couldn’t play out of them without risk of breaking your club or your back
- the greens can be rough, simply because the trees are so thick, some don’t get enough sunlight

Don’t let those “negatives” discourage you though. It really is a great course.

As for Spirit Hollow...I rank it 3rd, but that may be because I’ve only played it a couple of times. There are some really, really cool holes. There are also some though that look like you’re playing Otter Creek (not horrible, but not what i would expect from what is billed the best course in Iowa by some publications).

In short...this would be a great golf road trip. You should do it.

 

[PlanoClone]

I’d believe that more I suppose.

Wouldn't be surprised if he makes Talons a private (extremely exclusive) club and take quite a few members from Briarwood. I see Briarwood getting bought by somebody who will turn it into a residential development area. Bank is asking less and less every year. Cash flowing that place (any golf course for that matter) is very difficult.

 

[1100011CS]

A buddy of mine and I tried this exact trip last summer. Amana had an outing the day it made sense logistically for us though, so we ended up only playing Spirit Hollow and Blue Top. I have played Amana though, so do have an opinion.

All 3 courses are great, as far as I’m concerned. I would put Blue Top Ridge above the other 2, but not by much. What puts it at the top for me is that it has always been immaculate when I’ve played it. There are also 5-6 sets of tees you can play, and you will get a different course from each set. We played 54 holes one day, and 3 different tees...had a great time.

I think Amanas would be #2, but it’s a course that can vary considerably depending on when you go. It has been mentioned, but it is cut out of a lot of trees. When you play that course, you feel like you are all alone on each hole. It really is great. There are really cool holes too. Now...some of the negatives:

- it is low lying, and does not drain well. If there has been rain in the area, it will be soggy...really soggy in a lot of places
- Mosquitoes can be down right thick there...again, depending on time of year and recent weather
- they sometimes don’t take care of their bunkers like they should. I’ve played it before where you simply couldn’t play out of them without risk of breaking your club or your back
- the greens can be rough, simply because the trees are so thick, some don’t get enough sunlight

Don’t let those “negatives” discourage you though. It really is a great course.

As for Spirit Hollow...I rank it 3rd, but that may be because I’ve only played it a couple of times. There are some really, really cool holes. There are also some though that look like you’re playing Otter Creek (not horrible, but not what i would expect from what is billed the best course in Iowa by some publications).

In short...this would be a great golf road trip. You should do it.

I forgot about these two issues. We were almost carried away by mosquitoes and some of the traps were unplayable.