The Move Uplands
Elmwood was born riverside, where Marshalltown’s country club original layout succumbed to flooding. In 1920, Tom Bendelow’s new upland design delivered drier ground, rolling hills, and a proper test tailored to the land.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Elmwood Country Club
Marshalltown, Iowa
Established
1920
Architect
Tom Bendelow (original), Club-led renovation/restoration (2017–2024)
Access
Private
Par
Par 70
Length
5,171 – 5,758 yds
The verdict
Strategic, Member-Focused Iowa Gem
Elmwood Country Club’s restored Bendelow routing shines with classic lines, widened fairways, and fresh challenges from its 2024 renovation. Expect a tactically engaging, walkable round that rewards sharp iron play and thoughtful course management.
Course DNA
Difficulty
72
Scenery67
Conditioning82
Shot Variety78
Walkability80
Green Complexity81
Wow Factor66
Design Quality76
At a glance
Quick facts
Year Founded
1896 (current site 1920)
Renovation Completed
2024 multi-year restoration
Original Architect
Tom Bendelow
Widest Fairway
Notable strategic broadening (2024)
Trees Lost (Derecho)
400+ removed in 2020 storm
Member Culture
Family-oriented, walkable, private club
Bunker Style
Strategic, classic forms post-renovation
Nearby Base
Marshalltown or Des Moines recommended
The design
The architecture
Elmwood Country Club is a Bendelow-bred masterclass in strategic midwestern club golf. The course’s rolling terrain and streams are leveraged for thoughtful routing, while the 2024 renovation widened fairways, introduced deftly placed bunkers, and rejuvenated greens to modern standards. The result is a layout that captures classic percentage play—where bold drives can open up ideal angles, and caution can leave challenging, blind approaches. Restored contours and expanded green perimeters provide golfers opportunities for savvy shotmaking and imaginative recoveries.
Tom Bendelow’s design, refreshed by thoughtful in-house restoration, remains faithful to the course’s early 20th-century roots while enhancing playability and challenge for the modern member.
Defining features
- Expansive, restored greens with runoffs
- Strategically placed bunkers (post-2024)
- Wider fairway corridors encouraging bold lines
- Gentle, member-friendly topography
- Distinctive par-3 challenges
- Classic, proportional routing by Bendelow
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 4
Short Risk, Sharp Reward
PAR
4
YARDAGE
280
A drivable par-4 offering temptation and peril—a precise tee shot can reach the green, but stray off line and find tricky bunkers or awkward angles. The green’s contours and nearby collection areas elevate the short-game challenge.
Play it smart
Aggressive players may drive the green but must flirt with trouble all the way; prudent play leaves a wedge from the fairway’s ideal angle.
Where it bites
Flirt with left-side bunkers or misjudge rollouts and face a brutally tough up-and-down from tight surrounds.
Course management
Shots to think about
Drivable Par-4 Temptation
Don’t let ego rule—lay back if you’re not dialed; a smart wedge from the right angle is often better than chasing the green.
Approaches to Expanded Greens
Use the width—don’t fire straight at every pin; play to the best side for easier chips and putts.
Fairway Bunker Decision
If you catch a bunker from the new strategic placement, prioritize getting back in play over a miracle hero shot.
Reading Runoff Areas
Practice chips and low-pitch shots—tightly mown collection areas demand creativity and touch.
Late-Round Tee Shot on 16
Factor the wind and back-to-front green tilt—missing long is better than leaving it short to a false front.
Post-Derecho Openings
With fewer trees, read new angles—the widened vistas can trick your eye into aggressive lines; stick to your plan.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Firm, well-kept, and recently improved; green complexes and fairways now meet higher club standards after restoration.
Pace
Member-focused, typically brisk and sociable; rarely crowded.
Vibe
Classic, welcoming Midwestern private club—comfortable, never flashy, with a sense of tradition.
Dress code
Traditional country club attire: collared shirts, no denim, respect for club rules.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Sharpen Your Short Game
Expanded collection areas and tight surrounds around greens will demand touch and variety in your chipping and pitching.
02
Study the Strategic Angles
Wider fairways and repositioned bunkers make picking the right line vital—arrive with a course map or play a virtual tour ahead of time.
03
Walk It If Able
Elmwood’s topography and routing are meant for walking; bring comfortable shoes for the best experience.
04
Expect the Unexpected Bounce
Recent drainage and turf work has created firm spots—play for some extra rollout in summer months.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1896
Marshalltown Country Club founded by the Iowa River
- 1920
Course relocated; Tom Bendelow design opens
- 2017
Master renovation plan initiated
- 2020
Derecho storm removes over 400 trees
- 2021
Major restoration and green expansions continue
- 2024
Restoration master plan completed
Stories & legends
What makes it special
A Derecho’s Destruction, A Renewal
The 2020 derecho left gaping wounds, collapsing over 400 trees and scarring the landscape. Out of this havoc rose opportunity: more open sightlines, wider fairways, and the catalyst for the club’s ambitious restoration.
Name Game: The Elmwood Story
Legend says 'Elmwood' arose as a condition of the club’s land purchase—Mrs. Sandoe, the seller, carried the name into the club’s new identity, ensuring the native woodlands and story would forever intertwine.
A Shot-Maker’s Layout, Reborn
With the recent restoration, Elmwood’s routing now emphasizes risk-reward choices and sharper angles. Bunkers demand respect, and new green expansions reward smart approach shots and creative recoveries.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Elmwood’s name is rumored to come from its original land seller, Mrs. Sandoe.
2
The 2017–2024 restoration was largely completed with in-house labor and a modest budget.
3
Over 400 trees were lost to a single derecho storm in 2020, permanently changing the landscape.
4
The original club had tennis and croquet courts alongside nine golf holes.
Build the trip
If you’re making a central Iowa golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Veenker Memorial Golf Course
Public
Classic William Langford university course with excellent green complexes in Ames.
Otter Creek Golf Course
Public
High-quality Ankeny muni design, praised for strong conditions and playability.
Ames Golf & Country Club
Private
Well-regarded member club option not far from Marshalltown.
Bos Landen Golf Club
Public
Praised for bold land movement and variety outside Pella.
Marshalltown for proximity to Elmwood, or Des Moines for maximum course options and amenities.
Course DNA
If You Like Elmwood Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.4
Hollywood Golf Club
Deal, New JerseyWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Hollywood Golf Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Elmwood Country Club.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Black Sheep Golf Club
Sugar Grove, IllinoisWhy it matches: If Elmwood Country Club is your kind of course, Black Sheep Golf Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.7
Hamilton Elks Golf Club
Hamilton, OhioWhy it matches: Hamilton Elks Golf Club is a natural next stop after Elmwood Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
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