Public

Shady Oaks Course

Shady Oaks Golf Course

Ackworth, IA, USA
18 holesPar 716,252 yds72.2/122

About this course

Shady Oaks, carved from the rolling Iowa landscape near Ackworth, offers a distinctly Midwestern golfing experience steeped in local pride. This public course, while not a stage for major championships, embodies the spirit of accessible golf. The original design, dating to the late 20th century, reflects the era's emphasis on playability and enjoyment for golfers of all skill levels. The layout presents a blend of open fairways and strategically placed hazards, rewarding thoughtful course management rather than brute force. Favoring a draw, the course presents a few doglegs which will have a player working both directions. Shady Oaks stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of community golf. It is a place where casual rounds and local tournaments forge lasting bonds, offering a welcoming atmosphere far removed from the pressures of elite competition. This course has been known to have strong ties to local area farmers, and has been rumored that many deals and negotiations have been settled on the course. The clubhouse offers a standard faire with a nice bar, and is regarded as a pillar in the local community.

Quick facts

Location
Ackworth, IA, USA
Access
Public
Year built
1962
Holes
18
Par
71
Length
6,252 yards
Difficulty
72.2/122

Getting there

The journey to Shady Oaks Golf Course begins at Des Moines International Airport, a straightforward forty-minute drive to the southeast through the gently rolling farmland of central Iowa. The route traces quiet state highways that cut through cornfields and pastureland, the landscape opening in wide, unhurried sweeps as you approach the small town of Ackworth. This is heartland golf in its purest form - no grand resort arrival, no valet stand, just the honest transition from rural blacktop to a tree-lined entrance where the game has been played simply and well for generations.

FAQ

Common questions about Shady Oaks

Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.

Shady Oaks was designed by John Martindale.

Yes. Shady Oaks is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.

Par at Shady Oaks is 71.

Shady Oaks plays 6,252 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.

The slope rating at Shady Oaks is 122.

Shady Oaks is a 18-hole course.

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