3 Best Golf Courses in Des Moines, IA

2026 Update: Woodland Hills Golf Course offers online tee time booking. Most golfers use GPS-equipped carts with touch screens that show yardages, hole maps, 3D views, and scoring updates. The GPS system also provides advertising opportunities for local businesses. The course has a mix of holes with different tee lengths, making it suitable for all ages and skill levels. The Executive 9 course is designed mainly for walking. Tee times can be booked online, so availability should be checked when booking. On Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, cart bookings must be made online. The Executive 9 course is 2,000 yards long, has a par of 29 with two par 4 holes and seven par 3 holes, and takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to play. The course also offers men’s and women’s leagues."

2026 Update: It was built in 1901 and has a historic brick clubhouse and pro shop. The course features elevation changes from tee to green, creating a challenging and varied playing experience with different lie angles and natural terrain. The setting is scenic, with mature trees and a unique layout that makes each round different. The clubhouse offers food and drinks for players to enjoy before or after their game. The course has a long history of over 122 years, with the land originally donated in 1894 and the course officially opened in 1901. They host programs such as PGA Junior League, camps, clinics, and in-house leagues. The venue can also host events like parties, banquets, and golf outings for groups of up to 144 players, with a historic clubhouse that accommodates up to 100 guests."

2026 Update: The golf course offers a unique playing experience that is shorter in length than many modern courses but still provides a strong challenge. It features large mature trees, small well-protected greens, and significant elevation changes that require precision and strategic play. The course hosts several events and tournaments throughout the year, including the Kick-Off Classic, an individual stroke play event using 8-inch cups; the Annual Fourth of July Tournament, a four-person best shot event; the Four-Person 8-Inch Cup Best Shot event; the Traditional Harv Ketter Tournament, which includes an 18-hole qualifier followed by a 9-hole championship round; the Metro Senior Tournament for experienced golfers; and the Junior City Championship, a two-day junior stroke play event. It also offers an in-house league with practice at the Jester Park Driving Range and play at the Jester Park Par Three course, designed for beginner to intermediate players to develop basic skills in a relaxed and supportive environment."