Question 1

What is the cheapest public golf course in Des Moines?

Accepted Answer

City of Des Moines courses — Blank Park Golf Course, Grandview Golf Course, and Waveland Golf Course — run $20-28 for 18 holes, the lowest in the metro. All are operated by Des Moines Parks and Recreation and allow walking. Grandview and Waveland are centrally located with flat, walkable layouts.

Question 2

Is the Tournament Club of Iowa worth playing near Des Moines?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the Tournament Club of Iowa (Polk City, $65-90 weekday) is Iowa's most acclaimed public course — an Arnold Palmer Signature design that hosted LPGA Tour events and offers conditioning and layout quality not typically found at this price point in the Midwest. It is the consensus top public golf experience reachable from Des Moines.

Question 3

What is the best public golf course in the Des Moines area?

Accepted Answer

The Tournament Club of Iowa (Polk City, $65-90) is the premier choice. Among mid-tier options, Toad Valley Golf Course ($35-55) is the best value — consistently well-conditioned, challenging layout, and excellent pricing. Briarwood Golf Course ($40-60) is the top mid-market option in the south Des Moines suburbs.

Question 4

When is the best time to play golf in Des Moines?

Accepted Answer

May through June and August through September are optimal — mild temperatures (68-82°F), low humidity, and excellent course conditions. July can bring heat and humidity but early morning rounds are comfortable. The season runs April through October; late April and early May feature the best conditions before summer heat.

Question 5

How does Des Moines golf compare in price to other Midwest cities?

Accepted Answer

Des Moines is one of the most affordable major golf markets in the Midwest. City courses start at $20, and the mid-tier clusters at $35-60 — cheaper than comparable courses in Minneapolis, Kansas City, or Columbus. The Tournament Club of Iowa ($65-90) is the only premium option, and it is well below comparable design-pedigree courses in larger markets.

Question 6

Are there good golf courses in the western Iowa suburbs near Des Moines?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dallas County (West Des Moines, Waukee, Urbandale) has several quality public-access courses: Glen Oaks Golf Course, Willow Creek Golf Course, and Otter Creek Golf Course run $30-55. Warren County (Indianola, Carlisle) to the south adds Sheaffer Memorial Golf Course and Indianola Country Club daily-fee access at $25-45.

			Twilight	Walk?		Verified
Jewell Golf and Country Cheapestpublic	$22+cart	$25	—	Yes	4.7(39)	Listed on course website · Checked Apr 25, 2026
Jefferson Community Golf Course public	$23+cart	$23	$20	Yes	4.4(39)	Listed on course website · Checked Apr 25, 2026
Willow Creek Golf Course public	$29+cart	$36	$48	Yes	4.1(275)	Listed on course website · Checked Apr 25, 2026
Otter Creek Golf Course public	$33+cart	$43	—	Yes	4.4(287)	Listed on course website · Checked Apr 25, 2026
Beaver Creek Golf Club public	$33+cart	$43	$31	Yes	4.0(276)	Listed on course website · Checked Apr 25, 2026
Copper Creek Golf Club and Event Center public	$55	$70	—	Yes	4.4(317)	Listed on course website · Checked Apr 25, 2026
Tournament Club of Iowa public	$65	$80	$45	Yes	4.4(469)	Listed on course website · Checked Apr 25, 2026
Glen Oaks Country Club Iowa public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.7(322)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Wakonda Club public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.5(275)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Ankeny Golf and Country Club public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.9(67)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Net Par public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.9(67)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
The Back Nine Golf \| Des Moines, IA - Ankeny public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.9(30)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Urbandale Golf & Country Club public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.6(58)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Hyperion Field Club public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.7(214)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Sugar Creek Golf Course public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.3(162)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Elevation Golf Club public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	5.0(23)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Indianola Golf Club public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.5(133)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
The Back Nine Golf \| Waukee, Des Moines, IA public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	5.0(28)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Walnut Ridge Disc Golf Course public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.8(88)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Range Restaurant + Cocktail Bar public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.3(698)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
The Back Nine Golf \| Des Moines - Downtown public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.9(9)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Iowa Golf Association public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	5.0(4)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Deer Run Golf Club public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	3.5(96)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Bright Grandview Golf Course public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.3(205)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Shady Oaks Golf Course public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.1(108)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
A.H. Blank Golf Course public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.2(423)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Woodland Hills Golf Course public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.8(1,499)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
The Executive 9 at Woodland Hills public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.1(20)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Jester Park Golf Course public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.4(244)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Warrior Run Golf Course public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.4(120)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates
Des Moines Golf and Country Club public	Call for rates	—	—	Yes	4.6(241)	No public pricing found · Call to confirm rates

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