Terrace Hills Course
Altoona, IA, USA





Terrace Hills, a fixture in the Altoona landscape, embodies Midwestern golf's enduring appeal, offering a classic, unpretentious experience since its inception. The course plays across rolling Iowa terrain, a parkland layout defined by mature trees that frame the fairways and subtle elevation changes that test club selection. It's a course that favors strategic play over brute power, rewarding thoughtful approaches and well-placed shots. Expect several doglegs and a few blind tee shots requiring course knowledge and a bit of daring to navigate successfully. Originally designed by Dick Nugent, Terrace Hills reflects a mid-century sensibility, prioritizing playability and enjoyment for golfers of all skill levels. The design incorporates ample bunkering and water hazards, judiciously placed to enhance both the challenge and the aesthetics of the course. While it may not be a regular stop for televised tournaments, the course has consistently hosted Iowa Golf Association events, providing a proving ground for the state's top amateur players. The Terrace Hills community is known for its welcoming atmosphere and passionate golfers. Stories circulate of fiercely competitive member tournaments decided by the slimmest of margins, followed by boisterous celebrations in the clubhouse. The club has a reputation for its Friday night fish fry, a beloved tradition among members and their families.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Unranked
Best in USA
Unranked
Best in IA
Public: #17
Public courses closest to Terrace Hills.
Terrace Hills Golf Course lies just minutes southeast of Des Moines, making Des Moines International Airport (DSM) the natural gateway for travelers bound for this Altoona layout. The drive from the terminal is a brief fifteen-minute sweep east along Interstate 80, trading the urban skyline for the gently rolling farmland and prairie remnants that define central Iowa. As you exit toward Altoona, the landscape opens into modest hills and residential edges, with the course emerging quietly among the suburban terrain - an accessible retreat that feels worlds removed from the city despite its proximity.

FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Terrace Hills has a Course Vaults score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 8 explicit golfer ratings.
Yes. Terrace Hills is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Terrace Hills is 71.
Terrace Hills plays 6,535 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Terrace Hills is 125.
Terrace Hills is a 18-hole course.