You’ve probably seen the gate. If you’ve driven through West Des Moines, specifically near the intersection of 88th Street and Ashworth, that massive, stone-guarded entrance to Glen Oaks Country Club Des Moines is hard to miss. It feels a bit like a different world inside. Most people in the metro area know it as "that fancy place where the rich people live," and while, yeah, there’s some truth to that, the actual reality of the club is way more nuanced than just being a gated enclave. It’s actually one of the most significant pieces of Tom Fazio architecture in the Midwest.
Honestly, it’s about the dirt.
When developers first looked at this patch of Iowa land in the early 90s, they weren't just looking for a flat cornfield. They found rolling hills and deep ravines that felt more like the Ozarks than the typical prairie landscape you see out toward Waukee. That’s what drew Tom Fazio here. Fazio doesn't just build "nice" courses; he builds "spectacular" ones. At Glen Oaks, he used the natural elevation changes to create a par-71 layout that basically forces you to use every single club in your bag. If you think Iowa golf is just flat fairways and predictable bounces, this place will genuinely hurt your feelings.
The Fazio Factor and Why the Grass Matters
It opened in 1994, and it didn't take long for the golf world to notice. For years, it hosted the Principal Charity Classic on the PGA Tour Champions. Imagine watching legends like Nick Price or Jay Haas trying to navigate these greens. They aren't just fast; they’re treacherous if you're on the wrong side of the hole.
The course is kept in what many consider "tournament-ready" condition almost every single day. We’re talking bentgrass fairways that feel like walking on a high-end hotel carpet. But here’s the thing: it’s not just for the pros. The club has worked hard to keep it playable for the members who actually pay the dues. They have multiple tee boxes, so whether you’re a scratch golfer or someone who struggles to break 100, you aren't just losing balls in the woods all day. Well, you might still lose a few in those deep ravines, but that’s part of the charm.
One thing people often get wrong is thinking the golf is the only reason people join. It's not.
✨ Don't miss: How to Sign Someone Up for Scientology: What Actually Happens and What You Need to Know
In a city like Des Moines, where the business community is tight-knit, Glen Oaks Country Club Des Moines acts as a sort of unofficial boardroom. You’ll see insurance executives from Principal or Nationwide grabbing lunch in the 19th Hole, or tech entrepreneurs from the Jordan Creek area talking shop over a bottle of wine. It’s a social hub. The clubhouse itself is a massive 40,000-square-foot brick beast that overlooks the 18th green. It’s grand. It’s formal when it needs to be, but surprisingly laid back on a Tuesday afternoon.
More Than Just a Golf Course
Let’s talk about the pool for a second. In the summer, the pool area is basically the heartbeat of the club. It’s not your average municipal swimming hole. It’s got a resort vibe—think cabanas, poolside service, and a competitive swim team for the kids. If you’re a parent in West Des Moines, this is often the "selling point" that gets the family on board with a membership. While one parent is out losing their mind over a missed birdie putt on the 14th, the rest of the family is actually enjoying their Saturday.
The dining situation has also evolved. Back in the day, country club food was notoriously bland—lots of iceberg lettuce and overcooked steaks. That’s not the case anymore. The culinary team at Glen Oaks pushes the envelope. They do wine pairing dinners, seasonal menus that actually use local Iowa produce, and they have a pizza oven that gets a workout during the family nights. It’s become a legitimate dining destination in its own right, which is necessary because, let's face it, West Des Moines has some stiff competition with the restaurants popping up around Jordan Creek and University Avenue.
The Real Cost of Entry
Okay, let’s be real. It’s not cheap.
Membership at a place like Glen Oaks Country Club Des Moines is an investment. There’s an initiation fee, and then there are the monthly dues. Then there’s the "capital improvement" fees that pop up when they need to renovate the bunkers or fix the roof. But when you compare it to similar Fazio-designed clubs in places like Florida or Arizona, the value proposition in Iowa is actually kind of insane. You’re getting a world-class, top-100 caliber course for a fraction of what you’d pay in a coastal city.
🔗 Read more: Wire brush for cleaning: What most people get wrong about choosing the right bristles
The club offers different tiers, though. You’ve got:
- Full Golf Membership (The whole enchilada)
- Sports Membership (Pool, tennis, limited golf)
- Social Membership (Dining and social events)
This tiered system is how they keep the club vibrant. It’s not just 300 old guys in plaid pants. You’ve got young families, retired couples, and young professionals who just want a nice place to grab a drink and hit the gym. Speaking of the gym, the fitness center is legit. It’s not just a dusty treadmill in a basement. It’s a fully equipped space with trainers and classes. It’s basically a high-end boutique gym membership rolled into your club dues.
Living Behind the Gates
We can’t talk about the club without talking about the residential side. The Glen Oaks community is its own thing. It’s one of the few truly gated communities in the Des Moines metro with 24-hour security. The houses? They’re spectacular. You’ve got everything from high-end townhomes to massive custom estates that look like they belong in a movie.
Living there is about convenience. You’re five minutes from the best shopping in the state, yet when you pull through those gates, the noise of the city just... stops. The landscaping is meticulous. The streets are quiet. It’s a specific lifestyle. Some people find it a bit "Stepford," but for the people who live there, the peace of mind and the sense of community are worth every penny of the HOA fees. It’s common to see neighbors cruising around in golf carts, heading up to the clubhouse for a quick dinner or taking the kids to the pool. It’s a self-contained ecosystem.
Why It Matters for Des Moines
Des Moines has a surprisingly deep golf history. You’ve got Wakonda Club near downtown with its classic, old-school feel. You’ve got Des Moines Golf and Country Club, which hosted the Solheim Cup. So, where does Glen Oaks fit in?
💡 You might also like: Images of Thanksgiving Holiday: What Most People Get Wrong
It’s the modern standard.
While Wakonda represents the "old money" heritage of the city, Glen Oaks represents the growth and the "new" energy of the western suburbs. It’s the place that put Iowa on the map for modern course architecture. When Fazio finished this project, it sent a signal that Iowa could handle world-class developments. It raised the bar for every other club in the area. Now, if a club wants to compete, they have to have the pristine bunkers, the high-end dining, and the resort-style amenities that Glen Oaks pioneered here.
Common Misconceptions
People think you have to be a scratch golfer to enjoy it. You don't. The course is challenging, sure, but it's also fair. Fazio is known for "generous" fairways. He wants you to find your ball; he just makes the approach shot difficult.
Another myth is that it’s stuffy. While there’s a dress code (no denim on the course, obviously), the atmosphere has loosened up significantly over the last decade. You’ll see people in hoodies (golf-specific ones, but still) and a lot more families running around than you would have in 1995. The club realized that to survive, it had to be a place where people actually wanted to hang out, not just a place where they had to follow a bunch of rigid rules.
The Maintenance Obsession
If you ever get a chance to talk to the grounds crew, do it. They are the unsung heroes of the Glen Oaks Country Club Des Moines experience. Managing bentgrass in the middle of an Iowa summer—where it can be 95 degrees with 90% humidity—is a nightmare. It’s a delicate balance of moisture control, aeration, and timing. They use sophisticated GPS-guided mowers and moisture sensors to ensure the turf stays healthy without overwatering. This level of detail is why the greens stay so consistent. When you putt at Glen Oaks, if you miss, it’s your fault, not the grass's.
Actionable Insights for Potential Members or Visitors
If you’re thinking about checking out Glen Oaks or looking into a membership, here is how you should actually approach it:
- Don't just look at the golf. Go for dinner on a Friday night. See if you actually like the vibe of the members and the staff. A club is a social investment, not just a sports one.
- Ask about the reciprocal program. One of the best perks of a Glen Oaks membership is the ability to play at other high-end clubs across the country. If you travel for business, this can be a game-changer.
- Test the commute. If you don't live in West Des Moines, see what that drive looks like at 5:00 PM on a Tuesday. The club is great, but if it's a chore to get there, you won't use it.
- Check the event calendar. Look at what they do for holidays. The July 4th fireworks and the kids' Halloween events are legendary in the community. That’s where the "value" of the social membership really hides.
- Talk to a current member. Don't just take the membership director's word for it. Find someone who has been a member for 5+ years. Ask them how the club has changed and what the "real" culture is like.
Ultimately, Glen Oaks isn't just a patch of grass in West Des Moines. It’s a landmark. Whether you’re there to grind out a round of golf on a Fazio masterpiece or just to have a glass of chardonnay by the pool, it represents a specific kind of Iowa excellence. It’s polished, it’s professional, but it still has that Midwest friendliness that keeps it from feeling too cold. If you get the invite to play, say yes. Just make sure you practice your downhill putts first. You’re gonna need it.