The Harvester in Iowa

[brock125]

Has anybody played The Harvester this year? I'm playing it later this week and was curious what kind of shape it's in Thanks in advance.

[dpc]

Rather than start a new thread, I thought it better to post in this one given the title. This is a year after the OP, but I played it yesterday and here's my impressions.

First off it's a fantastic course; I can't praise the shot values and variety enough. After playing the course I realized on many (most) of the holes, the ideal place from where to play your approach also entails the most risk from the tee to reach, so you have this constant risk vs reward decision. I know it sounds cliche, but that's what this course embodies. The exceptions would be holes 9 and 10 where the choice is to hit long and straight, or except your bogey and move on.

One of the criterion I use for a course is how well I can remember the holes weeks and months after I've played it. With The Harvester, I played it 5 years ago and could still remember each hole; they're that good. The first hole presents a wide fairway with OB left, a creek and then OB right; playing to the widest part short of two intruding bunkers on the left leaves you with a blind second shot. And that's just first tee shot.

The bunkers have that wonderful, natural erosion look and are perfectly placed throughout the course. One cannot just fly them, and playing short has its tradeoffs. The par 3s have to be the best collection in the state if not the Midwest, and 17 and 18 are nerve-wracking, teeth-clenching finishers with water in play on every shot.

The greens are FAST, and to say they're undulating might be understating them. One can't just play to the middle and be confident of an easy two putt. It will take several trips around to discover how to score well there. A 40 foot lag putt can be just as treacherous as a short sided pitch over a bunker from a billiard table tight lie. As much as I enjoyed the greens however, two of them were close to being overly penal. Half the green on 2 and 7 was un-pinnable. False fronts are fine, but it shouldn't be paired with a false back, plus a ~17 stimp slope in the middle. That's fine for Augusta National, but for a public course, even a highly ranked one, it seems a little much.

Which brings me to some of the negatives, and these are little nits to be sure, but for a premium price (for Iowa) they should be taken care of. Only the par threes had ball washers. I can't recall a course which didn't have ball washers at every tee, but to be fair that may be in the process of being corrected. The washers were attached to the signposts which are new from the last time I played it, and they may not have gotten all of them up yet. For my vote, I like the old signposts which were weathered fence posts; these are high, black enameled with brass numbers which contradict the rustic vibe projected elsewhere.

Some will also scoff at the lack of GPS on the carts, but I think this adds to the decision making on the course. A simple 150 yard pole is enough; part of the skill in golf is being able to eyeball things yourself. But given the lack of GPS, the scorecard should provide a simple map showing basic hazards. I understand wanting to sell yardage books, but an idea of where to play on some holes shouldn't be an add on price.

Overall, it is a great course which should be played at least once or twice, or make it a yearly pilgrimage just for the pure golf, which is undeniable. For pure golf, the course rankings get it right.

As to dollar value, that is open-ended. There are other courses within half a day's drive which offer similar experience at half the price and have all the little amenities and very close to the same conditioning, but fall short in one way or another when it comes to just golf, and nothing but golf

-dpc

[Chopper2Hopper]

I'm planning a golfing road trip across Iowa with a couple of buddies.  I've talked to a few people that said "you have to get on Harvester if at all possible."  I know they went private a few years ago.  Do they allow any public play or do you have to be invited by a member?  Any feedback would be appreciated.  

[clyde1]

Only way to play is know a member.  They are currently closed for hail damage to the course.  I believe it will not open until late May.

[Chopper2Hopper]

On 5/15/2023 at 9:13 AM, clyde1 said:

Only way to play is know a member.  They are currently closed for hail damage to the course.  I believe it will not open until late May.

Thanks for the feedback.  We are not going to be out there until July, but unfortunately don't know any members.  I figured it was a long shot.   

[callawayjay]

I feel like if you offer to stay on property they will let you out for a pretty exorbitant rate. They did for me the first year after they went private 

[sleuth]

On 5/16/2023 at 7:22 PM, Chopper2Hopper said:

Thanks for the feedback.  We are not going to be out there until July, but unfortunately don't know any members.  I figured it was a long shot.   

They will let you on as a non-member guest. It'll cost you roughly $500 w/ caddie (required) though. Money talks.