Legacy Golf Club in Norwalk, Iowa

Iowa has been known as a golf hotbed since playing host to the 1999 U.S. Senior Open in front of tournament-record galleries of more than 200,000 at Des Moines Golf and Country Club. That success led to the city landing a Champions Tour stop in 2000, and the Principal Charity Classic continues to draw about 75,000 fans annually. Another top professional event, the LPGA's Solheim Cup, has been awarded to the region for 2017. The greater Des Moines area also has numerous public courses open to recreational golfers, including The Legacy Golf Club in suburban Norwalk.

  1. Legacy's Layout

    • The Legacy Golf Club, less than 12 miles southwest of downtown Des Moines, is a par-72 course with four sets of tees that range from 5,375 yards to almost 7,200 yards, making the course fun for all levels of players. The course is characterized by wide fairways, undulating bentgrass greens and Kentucky bluegrass rough. Water hazards, including several large lakes and winding creeks, come into play on 14 of the 18 holes, including all nine holes on the par-37 back nine. Legacy's 18th, one of the Midwest's longest finishing holes, is more than 600 yards from the back tees and has a stream that crosses in front of the amphitheater-style green complex.

    Practice Makes Perfect . . . Well, Almost

    • Perfection for golfers isn't possible, of course, but Legacy's expansive practice area provides the facilities you need to work on all areas of your game. The complex includes a driving range with six target greens, a practice green for putting and another green with sloped chipping areas and a bunker to work on your short game and sand play. In addition, the club's learning center has an indoor facility with two heated hitting bays and a putting studio that allow you to work on your game year-round, even when the course is closed during the heart of winter or on wet summer days. Golf instruction and custom club fitting also are available at the center.

    Clubhouse Amenities

    • Legacy's 7,500-square-foot clubhouse sits on a hill overlooking the course and has a back patio that faces west and allows you to relax outside and soak in a scenic sunset after an afternoon round. The clubhouse's pro shop is fully stocked with golf balls, clubs and other equipment, as well as shoes, hats, shirts and other apparel. Other amenities include banquet facilities that seat more than 160 for meetings or group events and a dining room with a variety of sandwiches, snacks and beverages.

    Leagues, Tournaments and Special Offers

    • The Legacy Golf Club schedules a number of leagues and tournaments for all skill levels, including men's, women's and corporate leagues, as well as tournaments for youth and a nine-hole couples twilight event that is held twice monthly from late May to mid-August. The club also offers a Legacy Players Card, which provides purchasers with discounted rates for green fees and golf carts, unlimited use of the practice facilities and additional discounts on pro shop merchandise, golf lessons and rates at nearby sister courses. If you're staying overnight, Legacy has partnered with several Des Moines hotels for stay-and-play packages, most of which include accommodations, breakfast, green and cart fees, dinner and a welcome gift.