Glen Oaks Country Club, is a Private, 18 hole golf course located in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Glen Oaks Country Club first opened for play in 1994. The course was designed by Tom Fazio.
Although located in West Des Moines, the course is close to downtown Des Moines. and as I walked the property I could see it had great potential. The property had on which the course was built had several distinct environments, one of which was an old corn field. But it also had dips and hollows and several forested areas. The elevation changes were quite strong. The golf course possesses a great deal of movement and flows through the property in all different directions, taken its cues from the flow of the land rather than from a static plan from the drawing board. There were two spring-fed creeks and five or six ponds on the site that were tied into several holes.
The course is routed into the trees and alongside the creeks and ponds, which add to the golfing interest. Some of the holes cross streams, others play alongside them and over parts of lakes. This course has four holes with the Scottish links-style in mind. The other fourteen holes have characteristics of a Midwestern design. The course was built on a semi-rolling terrain and has numerous mature trees lining the fairways.
Early farmers had collected stones from the ground to clear the way for planting crops and had piled them alongside the fields in crude walls as boundaries for different crops. These stone wall boundaries now frame some of the golf holes.
Black tees: par-71, 6,961 yards, 74.9 / 142
Green tees: par-71, 6,592 yards, 72.9 / 138
White tees: par-71, 6,300 yards, 70.2 / 134
Blue tees: par-71, 5,403 yards, 66.9 / 120
Gold tees: par-71, 4,761 yards, 67.3 / 111
Glen Oaks is an award-winning gated community in West Des Moines, Iowa, and is the centerpiece of a master-planned community. The Club is shared by friends and families who embody a lifestyle marked by quality, tradition, and unrivaled amenities.
World-renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio designed the golf course at Glen Oaks Country Club, and, with any Fazio design, it’s as beautiful as it is challenging. When it comes to course conditioning, Glen Oaks is second-to-none, and the course is consistently ranked in the top 3 in the entire state.
The course underwent a major renovation that included rebuilding and upgrading every sand trap, all-new cart paths, and a complete reshaping of the 4th hole. What was once a dogleg left with a three-tier green now tempts golfers to go for the green off the tee. To further make its case, the tee boxes were raised, trees were cleared, four new bunkers were built into the landing area, and they start around 200 yards from the tee box. The green has also been completely rebuilt.
The ladies I finished the round with were particularly fond of the 13th hole, primarily because they could drive the green. From their tees (Gold), the scorecard says 269 yards, but it plays a little shorter. There’s water on the right that needs to be avoided off the tee, and if the wind is blowing, you can take it up the left side, get a little extra roll, and get it there with ease.
I liked the par-3, 16th hole. Playing 159 from the White tees, you can take it down the left side and, as long as you avoid the tree, you can catch the slope and roll it right up next to the pin. At least that’s what I did. Birdies are always nice!
The Club’s talented staff of golf professionals sees that every Member and their guest gets the most out of their day at Glen Oaks. Lessons are available for all Members; they can even fit you for your next set of clubs. The golf shop stocks men’s and women’s logoed apparel from the top manufacturers and the latest equipment technology.
Looking to get back in shape? The Fitness Center has all of your favorite equipment, including treadmills, a stair machine, and stationary bikes for cardio and dumbbells, fixed barbells, and several weight machines for strength training. A Personal trainer is available for one-on-one assistance or group training if you want to take your health journey and fitness to the next level!
When you join Glen Oaks Country Club, you become a member of the family, a family dedicated to creating family fun, recreational enjoyment, and memories that last a lifetime. The club creates a family-centric environment where kids enjoy club membership as much as the parents. In addition to in-house care, The Club offers a variety of themed events for kids of all ages, and the pool has a “Kids Zone” like no other, with a splash pad, water slide, and an ice cream shop called The Scoop.
The convenient clubhouse access of the pool and its resort-type atmosphere make it a favorite gathering place for the entire family. The aquatic center is open Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend and is the go-to destination for summer activities. In addition to the splash pad, there’s a second pool with plenty of sunny patio and lanes for swimming laps. Glen Oaks has a summer swim team and competes against other clubs. Private swimming lessons are available for all members as well.
Glen Oaks is a great place to enjoy lunch after your round or dinner with that special someone. Their wide menu has something for even the most discerning palate. Every other Tuesday, the Club offers a Pizza and Pasta Bar: other weekly features are available as well, beginning on Tuesday.
The Clubhouse Glen Oaks is a stunning architectural masterpiece that offers a picturesque setting and creates an extraordinary experience for any event. The catering team wants everyone to know that you don’t have to be a member to host an event at Glen Oaks. Whether it’s a small, intimate gathering of 15 guests or a lavish wedding reception with 300 invitees, Glen Oaks has you covered. The Club offers a variety of spaces, including a boardroom, a ballroom, and intimate dining rooms, to make your event unique and beautiful. If you prefer to be outdoors, there’s an exquisite outdoor veranda or the Croquet Lawn overlooking the prestigious golf course, The culinary staff and service teams are with you every step of the way, and their professional event team will far exceed all expectations throughout the detailed planning process as they flawlessly execute this memorable day.
Glen Oaks Country Club was ranked Number 1 in Iowa in 2011 by Golf Digest Magazine, and they are destined to return to that status. If you visit Glen Oaks Country Club and like what you see, why not consider becoming a member and be part of the quest to #1? They have several membership classes that will fit everyone’s needs and budgets. A full golf membership gives you and immediate family members under 25 total access to every amenity Glen Oaks has: the golf course and practice facilities, the aquatics park, fitness center, social events, and dining - indoor and outdoor. A Young Professional Membership gives you the same access to everything and is available for those under 36; a Junior Membership is for those under 30 years of age.
A Sport Membership is available for those who aren’t avid golfers and gives full access to the aquatics park, fitness center, social events, and indoor and outdoor dining. Spots Members may play the golf course up to 6 times per calendar year at greens fee rates. Social Members will have access to the fitness center, social events, and dining. Call them to arrange a personalized tour.