4 Golf Courses That Make Marshalltown, IA, a Golfer’s Paradise

Peter Collison

It’s not an overstatement to call Marshalltown a golf-lover’s paradise.

Marshalltown is a golfing hub with three golf courses in town and one a few miles north of the city.

The courses cater to a wide array of skill levels — from beginners to seasoned players.

“For a town our size to have four good golf courses, I think it is a wonderful thing,” says local golfer Mark Rohde.

1. Elmwood Country Club

This historic course has served its members since 1896 and has pristine holes, from the tee box to the cup and all places in between. It’s been at the same location since 1918 and has a tradition of excellence.

“When you go around the country and look at the other country clubs, it doesn’t get much better than what we have at Elmwood, even in the big cities,” Rohde says.

Elmwood’s clubhouse is iconic, and its one-of-a-kind veranda overlooks the course, offering a breathtaking view. As a result, Elmwood is a popular place for weddings, reunions and other elegant ballroom events.

2. American Legion Memorial Golf Course

The American Legion public course is beautiful and has seen continual improvements throughout the years.

While Elmwood is more on the challenging side, Rohde calls the Legion a more “forgiving” course for the golfer, so they pair well together and are just blocks from each other.

As its name hints, the course is also a place to honor our country’s heroes. While you are there, stop by the Freedom Rock, which honors veterans. It includes a walkway to the display featuring an F-4 Phantom fighter jet from the Vietnam War.

3. Collison Par 3 Golf Course

You can’t help but feel relaxed at Collison Par 3. It’s set on a former farm with a scenic pond just north of Marshalltown. The play at Collison’s lends itself to its easygoing nature.

“We don’t have tee times or four-person group limits, so it’s great to show up with a group of friends or family and head out for some fun,” says Pete Collison, whose family runs the course and has a great story on how it started.

In the 1960s, Pete’s grandfather, Dr. David Collison, decided to build a farm pond on his 40-acre homestead. Dr. Collison took the excess dirt from the pond to build four golf greens.

“This little pitch and putt was a big hit with his friends, so he built the remaining five holes within the next Collison Par 3 year,” Collison says. “By 1972, 18 holes were complete, which still stand as one of the only 18-hole par 3 courses in the state of Iowa.”

4. Wandering Creek Golf Course

Wandering Creek has created its niche as a laid-back, nine-hole public course on the southwest side of Marshalltown. Founded in the 1970s, Wandering Creek is known as “friendly and nonintimidating to the casual golfer, but [offers] plenty of challenge for the experienced golfer,” says course owner Terry Buzbee.

It features a short-order kitchen and full clubhouse bar, which leads to a striking pergola on the popular back patio. The complex is also just off the Linn Creek Recreational Trail and near the Grimes Farm Conservation Area, which makes it the perfect rest stop for cyclists.

It maintains its relevance in colder months with two golf simulators, which are popular year-round for those looking to keep their swing on point.