Woodland Hills Golf Club

Woodland Hills Golf Club's Executive Course offers a short-format layout in the western suburbs of Des Moines, designed to complement the club's regulation eighteen-hole course. This type of facility typically serves as an accessible option for juniors, beginners, and members seeking a quicker round, with holes generally ranging from par threes to short par fours. The course takes advantage of the rolling terrain characteristic of central Iowa, where modest elevation changes and mature tree corridors shape the playing corridors. Executive courses in this region often feature straightforward designs that emphasize accuracy over distance, allowing players to work on their short game and course management without the time commitment of a full round. At Woodland Hills, the layout likely incorporates natural features of the property, including wooded areas and possibly water elements that add variety to the shorter holes. The conditioning and maintenance standards generally mirror those of the main course, providing a consistent experience across the club's facilities. The Executive Course serves multiple purposes within the club's programming, from junior golf development to casual evening rounds for members. Its presence reflects a broader trend in American golf club design from the mid-to-late twentieth century, when many private clubs added shorter layouts to accommodate diverse playing abilities and time constraints. The course remains part of Woodland Hills' overall amenity package for its membership in the Des Moines golf community.