The Preserve on Rathbun Lake

The course was in great shape considering how dry it has been in this area. They did not fall aerate so the greens were fast and smooth. The course has a great layout with the holes spread out so it feels like you are on the course by yourself. We played n under 3 hours.

We visited the Preserve for a golf trip at were not disappointed. The only part of the course not in great shape was the bunkers. Everything else was excellent including the course condition other than the bunkers, the staff, layout and pace. Would definitely recommend for anyone looking to get away for a weekend of golf at a fun course with a relaxed atmosphere.

90 minutes from Des Moines, a very easy drive to make. This course is fantastic. Small town area, resort quality track. Links style layout, fair and playable for all golfers. Friendly folks too!

Was in Iowa from Texas and booked this course and loved it. Greens are in excellent condition and fairways r cut good. The rough where good but stay out the bushes because your ball is a goner. The sand traps need some work but overall the course is awesome and staff was very friendly. Thanks for th 18

Hadn't played the course in 10 years so didn't remember much about it. Glad I played it again. Pace of play is perfect for any type of golfer. Average lenght helps the pace but also your score. Most of the par 5's could be reached in 2 with above average shots. Played 2 days in a row and 2 different set of tees. Bentgrass fairways are average considering hasn't rained in weeks. Greens were really nice. Putted true and have good speed. Keep it in the fairway but if it is windy....watch out. Course will get you. Worth the drive.

The course had a nice fair layout and the greens were true. The sand traps were lacking sand and were wet / muddy. The staff was unhelpful and did little to promote golf as a good experience.

Greens are fast but not hard. Fairways are green and we'll maintained. Best course in area.

Played The Preserve for the 8th time today. Drove down from Des Moines to play an early tee time by myself, and what a great time I had!

After warming up on the range, I hit the course. The Preserve starts with back-to-back par-5s, and three par-5s in the first five holes. Some won't like that, but for me, it removes any semblance of pressure. Hit your tee shot, play your second to inside 100 yards and play some easy approaches. By the time you reach the 5th, you're warmed up and ready to go for the green in two.

My round today was magical. Playing from the middle tees, I went around the front in even-par 36, and the back in 34. Of course, golf is much easier when you're on your own and not waiting, and it certainly doesn't hurt that the course conditions and weather were simply perfect -- 75 degrees with light wind when my round ended. But when you play your very best, you know the course suits you well, and this course certainly does for me.

As I mentioned, this is the 8th time I've played here, and I've grown to love this course more every time. If it's your first time, pay close attention to the GPS and maps ... and stay away from the prairie grass outside the primary rough. You'll lose your ball for sure. But good shots are rewarded here, so hit 'em straight and enjoy the solitude. There are exactly three buildings you can see from anywhere on the course ... the clubhouse, a maintenance garage, and one home. That's it. Beyond that, you're on the prairie in Iowa.

Highlight holes:
The third: A beautiful downhill par-3 that plays anywhere from 117 from the red tees to 243 from the tips. The drop is probably 50-60 feet, so you can play less club. Choose your tee box well ... it's easy to lose a ball here.

The fifth: A fun par-5 that's reachable in two. Downhill tee shot for the first 230 yards, then uphill the rest of the way to the hole. It's not only a drop-dead beautiful view, it's a FUN par-5.

The twelfth: Another downhill par-3 that gives you perhaps the best view of many great views on the course. Plays 210 from the tips and drops probably 60 feet to an enormously wide but fairly shallow putting surface that can be a challenge to hit because of the distance control required. Really fun par-3.

The thirteenth: I love this par-5. Why? Because I nearly holed my third shot today, a pitch from 57 yards, leaving me a tap-in birdie.

The sixteenth: A challenging uphill par-4 that plays 470 from the tips and has a large bunker right in the middle of the widest fairway on the course. Carry your shot straight over the bunker, and you're left with maybe 130 to the green. Go left or right of the bunker, and your approach is much longer. Very cool risk-reward par-4.

Course conditions today were absolutely amazing. Bentgrass tees, fairways and greens, all in pristine condition, give you the impression that you're playing at a much more expensive venue. Greens roll very true and moderately fast, maybe 10 or 11, so they're fun to putt. There are lots of elevation changes and interesting shots, along with some truly great views. You just can't go wrong here. Highly recommended.

Course was fun and challenging. Gps wasn't working on our cart and yardage markers we're hard to find. Would play again otherwise.

The layout is fun and challenging enough but the course conditions left a lot to be desired. Needs TLC to be a great course and to be worth the value.

Course is a very nice challenge. If you don't hit the ball decently straight, this is not a course for you. The prairie comes into play on almost every hole if you are off the beaten path and you won't find your ball. Greens were very nice and fairly fast. Fairways had some spotty areas, but not horrible.

Good and challenging course greens were rolling very true

The course had some turf damage due to pests, otherwise it was in fantastic condition and played like a championship track. Will definitely return again!

Course is beautiful and links like layout very close to a 5. The grass conditions are good considering hot, dry weather. The rough swallows balls and would be improved by thinning out but fairways are quite generous. Traps could use a little work but overall this is a challenging course that is fair and playable. It is probably overlooked given location but well worth the drive. Would get more play if in metro area.