Lamoni, IA

Graceland University

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3.785(based on 9 reviews)
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8 0
knobby325
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 9.3 years 335 played 252 reviews
2.50 star(s)

A litte worn 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 26, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

-Concrete Tees (for the back tees)
-Moderate Elevation
-Tee signage good (at the back tees)
-Multiple Pin Location
-Cool back tee pad for #7 jutting into the pond slightly
-Multiple lines available for most holes

Cons:

-A post with a #B for the short tees
-Older baskets, tough to see at times
-Map does not show "B" tees (tee signage does)
-Work around a pond including a little too close on #5
-No benches or trashcans (Signs of "Please leave the course cleaner than you found it" are plentiful)

Other Thoughts:

The Graceland University DGC is located on campus in the southern part of Lamoni, IA. The course works along the west side of campus including 4 holes where the "Founder's Lake" could come into play. The front 9 plays mostly around and near this lake while the back 9 plays in a mostly more wooded area at the edge of campus. While there are rec (or "B") tees, the course is more set-up for play at the back tees (concrete pads, full signage, and some better lines). The "B" tees are merely an afterthought with a single post with #B to mark (although I never did find 1B). Along with the tee situation, a number of water holes (#5 basket was within 5' of the lake) make this more suited to intermediate on up players. Seemed a little out of this rec player's league, even at the rec tees. The older baskets also made locating difficult. Those looking for a bit of a challenge might be OK here. I probably won't play again.
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7 0
Upshawt1979
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 21.4 years 562 played 429 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Lamoni Zamboni 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Feb 8, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

Graceland University has an excellent course. It's got 18 holes and is very challenging. There are plenty of elevation changes, water in play, and the woods are thick in some places.

There are two tees on each hole. the longs are paved with concrete, and have illustrated signs with distances marked on the posts. The short tees are natural and marked with numbered posts. There is also more than one pin location on each hole. I love the mach 2 baskets.

I love the opening hole. It is long, but plays down a big hill. There are a few trees along the way, but they leave a really nice line to the pin at the bottom. Hole 2 is also fun. It plays next to the first pond, and flexes around some bushes and mature trees. Hole 5 plays over a smaller pond if you aim for the short pin, which I did. There were baskets in both locations on this hole, it was the only one with dual baskets. Hole 6 is another large run downhill, but with more trees tightly packed restricting airspace. There is a pond behind one pin, and a large cluster of trees and bushes hiding the other.

The back nine starts with another fun downhill drive that is shorter and fairly open. It still takes a great drive to get close to the pin. 11 has a tricky line that is more woodsy as you near the pin. 12 is a long open fairway that hooks sharply to the right at the end of the tree line, with the pin on a slope before the trees thin out. 13 is the longest hole, flat and wide open. There was a wire fence at the far end of the field, adjacent to the pin.
15, well it's just crazy. There is a tunnel straight down a big hill in front of the tee. A wire fence lines the left side all the way down, and thick trees on the right with lots of branches that create a low ceiling. You can try a line drive through the tunnel, or play over the fence to the left and risk going OB. I went tunnel, because I didn't trust my left to right throws enough to make it back over the fence. It didn't work out for me. 16 is another tough hole, with trees crossing the fairway that create difficult lines.

Cons:

There are roads, sidewalks and some campus buildings near holes. Hole 18 tees in a really weird spot right in front of the library. Be on the lookout for pedestrians. The layout is kind of choppy. I was glad I printed the map and brought it along.

The length is formidable, and everything is par 3. I used the long tees, and would say some of them could be reasonably called par 4. Windy conditions would make it even more difficult.

Campus is tobacco, alcohol and drug free. Some fun is permitted.

Other Thoughts:

When I reached Graceland the sun was shining, and there was hardly a breeze. It was only 32 degrees, and there was an inch of snow on the ground. But I had a wool hat and hand warmers in my pocket. The frozen pond saved my plastic on hole 2. I was able to walk on water to retrieve a disc that would have been a goner most days.

I managed not to slip and fall down during the round, but had a couple of close calls. Obviously, my game suffered some effects of snow golf. Drives were not as long and putting was very unreliable. I shot a 76, and only made par on six holes. No birdies.

The campus grounds were nice and clean, and were nicely manicured under the snow I imagine. I was surprised that the only tracks in the snow beside mine were from animals. None of the college kids appeared to even go out and throw a any snowballs.

I had waited too long to play my first new course of 2018. I enjoyed this course, even with the snow. I would recommend it, but I'm sure it is better if you wait for more favorable weather conditions.
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4 4
air show
Bronze level trusted reviewer
Experience: 24.8 years 223 played 27 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Great time every time 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jul 4, 2015 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Beautiful course with great turf. Four or 5 holes to empty the bag on. Tight and open holes alike. A great course to work on distance. Course is always tranquil and never busy. Bring the big gun.


+ Elevation change on most holes.
+ Ample Concrete tee pads and mach 2s.
+ Hole one may be the prettiest hole in Iowa.
+ Course map and score card in mailbox at hole one.
+ Course loops back to parking lot after tee 9.
+ Nice balance for right and left hand throws.
+ May be the most friendly and peaceful course I have ever played.

Cons:

Mach ll spit outs ( so take care)
- Course flow becomes hectic mid round. See course map
- l pack two water discs for a few water hazards and trouble shots.
- May be a little open for the technical crowd.
- One walking path and a few roads may halt round momentarily.

Other Thoughts:

130 mi from my front door. Have been there around 15 times in 6 years and have never been disappointed. I would give Graceland 8 out of 10 on course maintenance.
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1 3
DjKilliQuik
Experience: 22.4 years 57 played 17 reviews
4.50 star(s)

greatness 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 21, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Love this course. A great mix of tech and long holes. Only played it a few times when i was there for a tournament last year. And fell in love. Cant wait to play it again.

Cons:

Gets pretty windy on the wide open holes on the south side of the course. Not a big fan of hole 7 i think it is? with the lake on the left.
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3 2
walker139
Experience: 15.3 years 222 played 8 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Border Town 2+ years

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 13, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Great elevation changes, and plenty of risk/ reward shots. Signs were well illustrated. The front is more open and long, the back nine gets tighter. OB and water are in play throughout.

Cons:

Some holes play close to campus buildings and roadways. No (Next Tee) signage. Took a while to find hole 6. Never found hole 18 but found a sign leading to the parking lot.

Other Thoughts:

Definitely a top notch course that plays around the Graceland campus. The rough was rough but a well groomed course that requires an accurate shot throughout... and remember students aren't awake at 8:00 on Sundays.
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7 0
scarpfish
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 21.4 years 360 played 100 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Amazing Graceland 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 7, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Incredibly challenging college campus course. Spacious and well maintained. Lots of variety in terms of length, woodsiness, and elevation. Several of the holes have varying left versus right pin positions which make you consider a completely different strategy for the hole. Some on the front nine precariously located near the campus lake. Others on the back nine near dense woods or other OB. Despite the length, finesse is required. Maps available at Tee #1. (Trust me, get one). Good lefty-righty balance.

Cons:

Not particularly good signage. Only the hole number displayed in some cases. The Am tees marked only by posts can be hard to find, (note, they are not marked on the map). Hole #15...I've seen some precarious tees before that were near OB, but the tee here is brushed up against a fence guarding a sewage lagoon, and the only way to really make a decent shot is going over the fence or being really conservative.

Other Thoughts:

Definitely not for beginners. Even the short pads have some danger. I've heard the legend of the Lamoni courses before and for whatever reason, I've never had the chance to stop into town and play them. It was well worth the wait. Not much else between Des Moines and Kansas City, so definitely stop by and play if you're passing through.
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10 1
Donovan
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 37.6 years 302 played 188 reviews
3.00 star(s)

On Campus IS On Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jun 25, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

This course is literally all over the college campus. There is some elevation, 2 holes with woods, good mix of long and short, water, OB, and a few well placed pin placements. There is scorecards/maps in a mailbox at hole #1A. The "Shorts" play as all par 3's well. The grounds are well maintained and are really beautiful.

Cons:

The 3 to 5 feet tall grass rough on a few of the holes slows play down with little challenge added. There are people and streets coming into play here constantly, so be careful. #16 plays through a volleyball court. The tee signs only mention the hole number and not all of them are in place. Not all the tee pads are concrete and some are part of the sidewalks. I did not find bathrooms available during summer hours. Parking is limited near the first hole at the library. You will need the map for navigation.

Other Thoughts:

The fun factor here was just ok for me. This was an average course and I felt it was a take it or leave it adventure. Keep in mind; this is a religious clientele college, so best behavior should be observed since they are allowing the public to play here.
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2 1
SpikeHyzer
Experience: 21.7 years 110 played 33 reviews
4.50 star(s)

Great Campus Course 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 20, 2008 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Great course on a college campus. From the first hole to the last, you will be challenged. You will use every shot in the bag on this course. It does favor the big gun to score well here. This course does have par 3's, 4's and 5's. It also has two sets of tees and two sets of pin locations. Overall a very enjoyable course.

Cons:

None really.

Other Thoughts:

You can make a day of it for disc golf as there is a pay-to-play course in Lamoni(J&B Rolling Hills) that is top notch as well and 18 holes.
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4 1
jclepa
Experience: 23.4 years 50 played 8 reviews
4.00 star(s)

The course that got me started. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:May 20, 2007 Played the course:never

Pros:

An excellent course that will really stretch out your arm. The front nine center around two ponds surrounded by rolling hills. The back nine feature flatter Iowa prarie with a scattering of woods. This course will use every shot you have in your bag.

Cons:

Baskets are only in either the gold or blue positions. It would be nice to have both on the course at the same time. Am teepads are only grass

Other Thoughts:

The course is only an hour or so south of Des Moines and has the same quality that you will find in the course up there.

Other than the 2 courses, there's nothing else in Lamoni.
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