Woodward Golf Club

Woodward is a small town in Dallas County, sitting in the rolling countryside of central Iowa, about 30 miles northwest of Des Moines. This is farming country — big skies, open terrain, and the kind of unhurried pace that makes a round of golf feel like a genuine afternoon away from the world. Golf clubs in towns like this tend to be the social anchor of the community, the place where generations of locals have chased the game on familiar turf without any pretense.

At par 70, the layout plays a touch shorter than a traditional par-72 track, which typically means fewer par 5s and a premium on iron play and course management. These member-friendly designs often reward local knowledge — understanding which greens run fast in July heat, how the Iowa wind shifts across exposed holes, and which approach angles matter most on a card that doesn't hand out easy birdies.

For visitors passing through central Iowa, a stop at a club like Woodward offers something resort courses rarely can: an honest look at how everyday golfers in the Midwest actually love the game.