Lake Panorama National Golf Course

Lake Panorama National Golf Course sits on the shores of Lake Panorama in central Iowa, roughly forty miles west of Des Moines. Designed by Dick Watson and opened in the early 1970s, the course was developed as part of the Lake Panorama residential community, which centers around a large man-made reservoir created by damming the Middle Raccoon River. The layout takes advantage of the rolling terrain characteristic of this part of Iowa, with elevation changes that are notable for the region and views across the water from several holes. The course plays along and near the lake's edge on multiple occasions, bringing water into play both visually and strategically. The routing incorporates wooded areas, open meadow-style holes, and lakeside stretches, providing variety in both setting and shot requirements. The property's natural topography allows for some dramatic downhill tee shots and approach angles that are less common on courses in the surrounding agricultural plains. Lake Panorama National serves both the residential community and outside daily-fee play, functioning as a recreational amenity for property owners while remaining accessible to the broader golfing public in the region. The course has hosted various Iowa state and regional amateur events over the decades, contributing to competitive golf in the central part of the state. Its setting within a recreational lake community gives it a resort-adjacent character, though it operates primarily as a traditional golf facility rather than a full resort destination.