Golf

For a century, the Wakonda Club golf course has been recognized as one of the best courses in the state, as well as the Midwest. Golf Digest previously ranked the William B. Langford-designed course #1 in Iowa, the Des Moines Register readers have voted it the best in the state, and Golf Week has recognized Wakonda as a Top-100 Classical Course in the United States. Wakonda plays host to the award-winning Principal Charity Classic, bringing PGA TOUR Champions to the course. The golf course is member friendly with social golf programs, Men’s and Ladies leagues, and Operation 36 instruction. 

The Wakonda Club golf course averages 18,000 rounds annually. Beyond the beautiful & challenging course, the winter practice facilities has four individual hitting bays. The member-owned Golf Professionals Shop offers an exceptional full-service experience with corporate customization and special orders, personal customer service and member-discounted prices.

Additional golf amenities:

• Individual or group private golf lessons and club fittings available with our PGA trained Golf Professionals using the latest technologies and equipment, including the Track Man Launch Monitor.     
       
• Full season schedule of member-only and member-guest golf events highlighted by our Men’s Blazer Day Member Guest and Ladies Lone Leaf Member Guest.  
      
• Yearly guided golf excursions (domestic and international) by experienced Golf staff.
  
  
• Flexible weekend tee time scheduling, with no priority legacy tee times and walk-up play opportunities.
  
  
• The Junior Golf Program boasts over 200 kids annually playing the game, from basic skills through advanced competition.
  
  
• Staff conducts golf clinics including short game, full swing, bunkers, uneven lies and couples’ clinics. 

Master Planning began in 2020 for a fully restored golf course. The 2023 restoration of Wakonda Club was led by Golf Course Architect, Tyler Rae and his Lead Design Associate, Jim Ryan, Jr. Wakonda's Grounds Superintendent, Dane Wilson and his staff worked to coordinate contractors and ensure the project was on-time and on-budget. This restoration focused on address a combination of architecture and infrastructure. 

2023 Restoration Details: TEES Every tee box rebuilt with 6 tee placements per hole L&M (Langford and Moreau) Championship tees stretch to 7,160 yards, while forward "V" tees play at 4,378 yards GREENS Rebuilt five existing USGA greens to brand-new push-up construction greens using some of Langford's best designs Expanded the existing 13 push-up greens by more than 22,000 sq. feet bringing back lost green shapes and exiting new hole locations BUNKERS Rebuilt every bunker to match Langford and Moreau's style of flat bottoms with steep grassed faces and Pro Angle sand Increased from 38 bunkers at 70,000 sq. feet before the restoration to 54 bunkers at 160,000 sq. feet Increased from 3 fairway bunkers to 31 fairway bunkers TURFGRASS Planted Dominate X-Treme 7 bent grass on every tee and fairway Regrassed all green surrounds with an average of 15,000 sq. feet of bluegrass rough sod per green complex IRRIGATION Installed triple-row Toro irrigation system with a brand-new pumphouse installed near the range Increased irrigation coverage across the property while adding 30% more irrigation heads for a total of 1,272 heads TREES Conducted full tree management pl an under Certified Arborist Purposefully removed 160 trees with plans to replan 180 trees in the fall of 2024 SHORT GAME PRACTICE AREA Rebuilt the short game area to match the on-course bunker style and recreate on-course shots