Hi- first time post.
I am travelling on business to iowa and I wanted to know if any of you recommend a course for me in the ceder rapids area or any place in iowa since I may be there for a few days.
I am not looking particuarly for the most challenging but perhaps the most scenic and maybe the most varied. maybe Im asking too much? thanks in advance.
tim e

Definately a very good first post. Many others will have their opinions, but mine is Walnut Ridge or Ewing Park in Des Moines if you are looking for a challenge mixed with scenery. You are not looking for the challenge, but they both definately have the scenery. In the Cedar Rapids area, i would recommend Jones Park for you. It does not have really the "scenery", but it is varied and a very, very fun course to play (it is now my home course.) Thomas Park in Cedar Rapids/Marion DEFINATELY has the scenery, but it is much more difficult. If you are heading to Iowa anytime in the next week, however, all of the courses will be covered in snow.

If you need any more information, you can send me a PM.

I just want to throw in a vote for Pickard. I played it during worlds and it was my favorite. With courses like Walnut Ridge and Ewing it was hard to pick a favorite, but there was just something about Pickard - the rolling hills, lake, varied holes... all put together left me wanting to play there more!

Have fun!

Ewing is incredible, pretty much every shot in the bag is needed. The front nine is in the trees and the back is wide open for long drives. Very nice-looking course and extremely fun to play.

Definitely Ewing or Walnut Ridge if your going to be in the Des Moines area. Jones in Cedar Rapids is a must if you're going to be in the area, varied shots and not too hard so it's a lot of fun. Shaver and Thomas are also a good time, but much more difficult and probably going to be muddy if not snow covered. When are you going to be in the area?

Must plays in Iowa are
Walnut Ridge ( Extremely Technical and Difficult course but an amazing setup and property )
Ewing ( Very LONG and challenging holes on a great peice of land)
Carol Marty (Pretty technical at some points but a well rounded course and very FUN to play)
Big Creek ( Extremely Tough and tight. If you get off the fairway here your in ALOT of trouble)
Pickard Park (didnt play or see it but i heard the pros RAVE about it)

DMACC was a great course but its no longer a course. Grandview is pretty cool to but I wouldnt say its a Must play.

hey thanks for the all the info!!! that helps me a lot. sounds like there are a lot of choices. I d rather have lots of choices than hardly any. I will be in Iowa on the 23-24th. snow and mud wont stop me. I am embarrassed to say im not exactly sure where Ill end up in Iowa for my business yet but when i do I certainly will let you all know ,if you are up for a game during a week day.

im gonna be playing at Jones -it looks like the easiest commute (im going to be staying less than a mile away!)
How is the weather? should i wear boots?
i be there around 3-4pm on weds.
hope to see you there. :D

What are some good courses to play along the I-35 corridor. I will be heading up to Iowa in mid April, from Austin. Hoping to play a few courses along the way. Hopefully there are some close to the Interstate, so we don't have to stray too far. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. <font color="red"> </font>

so, i went to Iowa and played at Jones park in cedar Rapids on 2.23.05. Jones park is spread out over one big hill. There are some good shots on this course i can say that at least pin 12 was picturesque and provided a good challenge. However, the course layout was a bit confusing and many holes crisscrossed. Plus, many of the sign posts were illegible from being too old and weathered. many times i had to yell out to someone(when they were in earshot) ahead of me and ask, "what am i shooting for???" I had problems with this on the very first tee where the basket is slightly to the the left behind a tree and some erosion control bales of hay but there is a basket right next to it (perhaps 20-25 feet) for another hole
Again, some holes were great, others i thought were just leaving something more to be desired. One in particular was pin placement 130' away from the tee straight up an incline with no obstacles. i cant say i have seen any shot like this except for maybe a practice hole.
I think this course has so much more potential with a little more upkeep/managent but maybe in the dead of winter i should not have expected too much.
I just wished i had more time in Iowa and played some of the courses that some of you all had mentioned and that i checked out online. I ended up playing 36 holes at Jones park -
anyway come to maryland or delaware sometime

Hi- first time post.
I am travelling on business to iowa and I wanted to know if any of you recommend a course for me in the ceder rapids area or any place in iowa since I may be there for a few days.
I am not looking particuarly for the most challenging but perhaps the most scenic and maybe the most varied. maybe Im asking too much? thanks in advance.
tim e

Pickard

One in particular was pin placement 130' away from the tee straight up an incline with no obstacles. i cant say i have seen any shot like this except for maybe a practice hole.



Without having seen the hole, I agree with you that a wide open 130' shot is a little pedestrian, but you'd be suprised how adding a strong elevation change can make a hole not quite so straightforward. It certainly affects judging the effective distance from the tee, and with a 'fast green' putting may be made more difficult, too.

You don't have to make excuses for it, Jeff. That hole is an automatic 2.

You don't have to make excuses for it, Jeff. That hole is an automatic 2.

No such thing as an autoimatic 2.