Iowa is the kind of state you don't visit for golf and then can't stop thinking about. Spirit Hollow in Burlington, Talons of Tuscany north of Des Moines, the Harvester near Iowa City. Des Moines Golf and Country Club is one of the Midwest's best old-school courses; Wakonda Club is the Bobby Jones-touched private classic.
Des Moines GC + Wakonda
Approx. $2,200 / person, 3 days. Sponsored-play at both.
Fly into DSM. Walking-only members club. Pete Dye reno of a Lee Trevino classic.
West Des Moines. Tom Fazio 2001.
Spirit Hollow + The Harvester + Finkbine
Approx. $1,500 / person, 3 days. All public-resort. The under-the-radar Midwest gems.
Burlington. Rick Jacobson 2001 along the Mississippi.
Drive west. Keith Foster 2002 in the Iowa cornfields.
Iowa City. University of Iowa's home course, restored by Tom Doak.
Elmcrest + Cedar Rapids CC + Talons of Tuscany
Approx. $1,400 / person, 3 days. Quiet members clubs and one resort layout.
Fly into CID. Donald Ross 1922.
Cedar Rapids. Donald Ross 1929.
Drive south to Bondurant. Jack Nicklaus 1999.
Top-100-in-the-state regulars. The clubs you've heard of but maybe not played.
Tee times bookable by anyone with a credit card. Sorted by USGA course rating.
