Updated for 2023.
Today we bring you a list of family-friendly public golf courses in the Des Moines area as well as a few tips on golfing with kids. Golf can be an expensive, finnicky sport. People bringing kids to the golf course can be frowned upon. But, with the right planning, golfing can be a fun kid-friendly outing. Here’s a few public golf courses in Des Moines where you can putt a round with the fam.
Tips 4 Golfing with Kids
- Make sure to pick a good time. Forget about a weekend tee time! Contact the course and find out when their “slowest time” is. Plan to tee off later in the day when there won’t be so many grumps tapping their toes behind you, and the cheaper “twilight” rates kick in.
- Rent a golf cart. Even if you’re a cart snob, it’s fun for the kids and it will come in handy when fatigue starts to set in. Not to mention it will help speed things up.
- Work the short game. Manage the yardage your kids drive and play according to your kiddos age and abilities. There’s no harm in skipping a few holes or even leaving the course before you’ve finished all 9 holes.
- Get creative with scoring. Set the ground rules before you start, but keep it light. Or, maybe even pair up on teams, so kids don’t have to hit their own ball every time.
- Leave it to the pros. If you’d rather let a licensed professional handle the instruction, most of the places listed offer golf lessons for all ages and levels and junior golf leagues.
Please note that Green Fees are per person.
Public Golf Courses in the Des Moines Area
Altoona
Terrace Hills Golf Course
Location: 8700 NE 46th Avenue, Altoona, IA 50009
Phone: (515) 967-2932
Hours: 6:00 am to Sundown
Season: Open All Year
Holes: 18
Ankeny
Otter Creek
Location: 4100 NE Otter Creek Drive, Ankeny, IA 50021
Phone: (515) 965-6464
Hours: 6:30 am to Sundown (Summer)
Season: May 1 to November 15
Holes: 18
Des Moines
A. H. Blank Golf Course
Location: 808 County Line Road, Des Moines, IA 50320
Phone: (515) 248-6300
Hours: 6:30 am to Sundown
Season: April 1 to November 1
Holes: 18
Brightgrandview Golf Course
Location: 2401 E 29th Street, Des Moines, IA 50317
Phone: (515) 248-6301
Hours: 7:00 am to Sundown
Season: April 1 to November 1
Holes: 18
Waveland Golf Course
Location: 4908 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone: (515) 248-6302
Hours: 6:30 am to Sundown
Season: April 1 to November 1
Holes: 18
Woodland Hills Golf Course
Location: 620 NE 66th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313
Phone: (515) 289-1326
Hours: 6:30 am to Sundown
Season: March 15 to November 1
Holes: 27
Grimes
Beavercreek Golf Course
Location: 11200 NW Towner Drive, Grimes, IA 50111
Phone: (515) 986-3221
Hours: 6:30 am to Sundown
Season: April 1 to October 31
Holes: 27
Pleasant Hill
Copper Creek Golf Course
Location: 4825 Copper Creek Drive, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
Phone: (515) 263-1600
Hours: 7:00 am to Sundown
Season: March 1 to October 31
Holes: 18
Toad Valley
Location: 237 NE 80th Street, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
Phone: (515) 967-9575
Hours: 7:00 am to Sundown
Season: Open All Year
Holes: 18
Waukee
Sugar Creek Golf Course
Location: 1505 6th Street, Waukee, IA 50263
Phone: (515) 987-5247
Hours: 7:00 am to Sundown
Season: April 1 to November 1
Holes: 9
West Des Moines
Willow Creek Golf Course
Location: 140 SE Willow Creek Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Phone: (515) 285-4558
Hours: 6:00 am to Sundown
Season: Open All Year
Holes: 18
Where does your family go to enjoy a day on the golf course in Des Moines? We’d love to hear!
