What Are the Highest Rated Private and Public Golf Courses In Iowa?

The Open Championship is underway today and golf has been on my mind since 1:30 this morning. As an avid golfer, it's an easy way to get excited about, what some would call, the most boring sport to watch. It's amazing how good these guys really are and if you've ever played golf, you know it can be the most frustrating sport in the world.

Professional golfers teed off early this morning at 1:30 (our time) as they start the first day of play at the 150th Open Championship. This will also be the 30th time the Open is being played at St. Andrew's.

Many consider "The Old Course" of St. Andrews the birthplace of golf. Located in Fife, Scotland, it's one of the oldest golf courses in the world and golfers have been playing there since the 15th century. The last time the Open was held at St. Andrews, Zach Johnson, a Cedar Rapids native, won the tournament.

With golf on the top of my mind today, I was curious what are the highest-rated public and private courses located in Iowa. Golf Digest uses a seven scoring criteria by Golf Digest's course ranking panelists and according to that pannel, the number one golf course in the state is...

1 - The Harvester Golf Club 

The Harvester golf club is a private golf course, located in Rhodes, Iowa. Maybe I just have St. Andrews on the brain but scrolling through their Instagram, this course gives me St. Andrews vibes. Maybe that's just me. I hope one day I get the chance to play at this private golf course.

2 - Davenport Country Club 

Davenport Country Club is another private course located in Pleasant Valley. This golf course is ranked the number 73 course in the United States. Add this to my list of "I hope I know someone who can get me on so I can play it once" golf courses. Just look at this video showing off this beautiful course.

3 - Cedar Rapids Country Club 

The Cedar Rapids Country Club has been around since 1904 and has been a "premier family-friendly retreat in Eastern Iowa" according to its website, Cedar Rapids CC. Not only does the golf course look incredible, but all of the other amenities do as well. I'd like to hit some laps in that pool!

4 - Des Moines Golf and Country Club 

The Des Moines Golf and Country Club is a private club located in West Des Moines and features 36 holes for you to enjoy, or get irritated at depending on your golf game. This course was designed by Pete Dye, who was an American golf course designer, whose family was full of course designers, according to Golf Channel.

5 - Wakonda Club 

The Wakonda Club is another private course located in the heart of Des Moines. This club was founded in 1922 and prides itself on its professional and courteous staff. Along with 18 holes of golf, there are clay tennis courts, pools, and a clubhouse located on the property.

Something you may have noticed in the top 5 golf courses in Iowa is they are all private country clubs, which makes sense. The only way you or I could play any of these courses is if we know someone or you want to shell out a decent amount of money for a club membership.

I have a wedding to pay for in about a year so you won't be seeing me at any of these courses anytime soon. I wanted to give some love to the best public courses in the state of Iowa as well. The top 5 public courses according to the Des Moines Register are...

1 Spirit Hollow - Located in Burlington

2 - Blue Top Ridge - Located in Riverside

3 - Tournament Club of Iowa - Located in Polk City

4 - Amana Colonies - Located in Amana

5 - Finkbine - Located in Iowa City

There you have it with the highest-rated golf courses in Iowa. Hopefully, I'll see you out at one of these sometime soon. Enjoy The Open Championship this weekend!