Graceland University has an excellent course. It's got 18 holes and is very challenging. There are plenty of elevation changes, water in play, and the woods are thick in some places.

There are two tees on each hole. the longs are paved with concrete, and have illustrated signs with distances marked on the posts. The short tees are natural and marked with numbered posts. There is also more than one pin location on each hole. I love the mach 2 baskets.

I love the opening hole. It is long, but plays down a big hill. There are a few trees along the way, but they leave a really nice line to the pin at the bottom. Hole 2 is also fun. It plays next to the first pond, and flexes around some bushes and mature trees. Hole 5 plays over a smaller pond if you aim for the short pin, which I did. There were baskets in both locations on this hole, it was the only one with dual baskets. Hole 6 is another large run downhill, but with more trees tightly packed restricting airspace. There is a pond behind one pin, and a large cluster of trees and bushes hiding the other.

The back nine starts with another fun downhill drive that is shorter and fairly open. It still takes a great drive to get close to the pin. 11 has a tricky line that is more woodsy as you near the pin. 12 is a long open fairway that hooks sharply to the right at the end of the tree line, with the pin on a slope before the trees thin out. 13 is the longest hole, flat and wide open. There was a wire fence at the far end of the field, adjacent to the pin.
15, well it's just crazy. There is a tunnel straight down a big hill in front of the tee. A wire fence lines the left side all the way down, and thick trees on the right with lots of branches that create a low ceiling. You can try a line drive through the tunnel, or play over the fence to the left and risk going OB. I went tunnel, because I didn't trust my left to right throws enough to make it back over the fence. It didn't work out for me. 16 is another tough hole, with trees crossing the fairway that create difficult lines.

There are roads, sidewalks and some campus buildings near holes. Hole 18 tees in a really weird spot right in front of the library. Be on the lookout for pedestrians. The layout is kind of choppy. I was glad I printed the map and brought it along.

The length is formidable, and everything is par 3. I used the long tees, and would say some of them could be reasonably called par 4. Windy conditions would make it even more difficult.

Campus is tobacco, alcohol and drug free. Some fun is permitted.

When I reached Graceland the sun was shining, and there was hardly a breeze. It was only 32 degrees, and there was an inch of snow on the ground. But I had a wool hat and hand warmers in my pocket. The frozen pond saved my plastic on hole 2. I was able to walk on water to retrieve a disc that would have been a goner most days.

I managed not to slip and fall down during the round, but had a couple of close calls. Obviously, my game suffered some effects of snow golf. Drives were not as long and putting was very unreliable. I shot a 76, and only made par on six holes. No birdies.

The campus grounds were nice and clean, and were nicely manicured under the snow I imagine. I was surprised that the only tracks in the snow beside mine were from animals. None of the college kids appeared to even go out and throw a any snowballs.

I had waited too long to play my first new course of 2018. I enjoyed this course, even with the snow. I would recommend it, but I'm sure it is better if you wait for more favorable weather conditions.

Beautiful course with great turf. Four or 5 holes to empty the bag on. Tight and open holes alike. A great course to work on distance. Course is always tranquil and never busy. Bring the big gun.


+ Elevation change on most holes.
+ Ample Concrete tee pads and mach 2s.
+ Hole one may be the prettiest hole in Iowa.
+ Course map and score card in mailbox at hole one.
+ Course loops back to parking lot after tee 9.
+ Nice balance for right and left hand throws.
+ May be the most friendly and peaceful course I have ever played.

Mach ll spit outs ( so take care)
- Course flow becomes hectic mid round. See course map
- l pack two water discs for a few water hazards and trouble shots.
- May be a little open for the technical crowd.
- One walking path and a few roads may halt round momentarily.

130 mi from my front door. Have been there around 15 times in 6 years and have never been disappointed. I would give Graceland 8 out of 10 on course maintenance.

Incredibly challenging college campus course. Spacious and well maintained. Lots of variety in terms of length, woodsiness, and elevation. Several of the holes have varying left versus right pin positions which make you consider a completely different strategy for the hole. Some on the front nine precariously located near the campus lake. Others on the back nine near dense woods or other OB. Despite the length, finesse is required. Maps available at Tee #1. (Trust me, get one). Good lefty-righty balance.

Not particularly good signage. Only the hole number displayed in some cases. The Am tees marked only by posts can be hard to find, (note, they are not marked on the map). Hole #15...I've seen some precarious tees before that were near OB, but the tee here is brushed up against a fence guarding a sewage lagoon, and the only way to really make a decent shot is going over the fence or being really conservative.

Definitely not for beginners. Even the short pads have some danger. I've heard the legend of the Lamoni courses before and for whatever reason, I've never had the chance to stop into town and play them. It was well worth the wait. Not much else between Des Moines and Kansas City, so definitely stop by and play if you're passing through.

An excellent course that will really stretch out your arm. The front nine center around two ponds surrounded by rolling hills. The back nine feature flatter Iowa prarie with a scattering of woods. This course will use every shot you have in your bag.

Baskets are only in either the gold or blue positions. It would be nice to have both on the course at the same time. Am teepads are only grass

The course is only an hour or so south of Des Moines and has the same quality that you will find in the course up there.

Other than the 2 courses, there's nothing else in Lamoni.