Along the towering pine trees and winding fairways lies the hidden gem of Glacier Wood Golf club, located in Iola, Wis. The course has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, and is ranked the #6 public course in the nation, and #1 public golf course in the state, according to golfpass.com.
“We take pride in our golf course, and I believe our hard work shows through these awards, our staff is dedicated to keep Glacier in top shape always,” said Noah Carrick, course golf superintendent.
It is also ranked #9 friendliest courses in the U.S. And finally, it is ranked #15 for layout in the United States for public courses in 2022.
All the hard work and dedication that goes into the course pays off, and it shows through the awards and public view of the course.
Along with its many awards and honors, it’s affordable at just $45 per 18 holes.
As far as future plans at glacier wood, golf pro Andrew Harvey said the plan is to expand their tee boxes to include a family tee, making the course accessible for all players. Course Superintendent Noah Carrick said, “A full bunker renovation, more tree trimming and removal for plant health and playability, drain tile to improve drainage, tee box expansion to take the pressure off smaller tees.”
Glacier wood takes a lot of pride in their course, and it shows through the end of the season. Once they close for the year, they install chemicals into all the tee boxes, fairways, and greens to ensure they stay in good shape, and don’t get “snow mold” and damage the grass. This allows them to have perfect grass right when the season starts.
The original designers of the course are Larry Packard and Art Johnson. The course does not play very long, but it is narrow, and will punish you with bunkers and other penalty areas.
Course superintendent Noah Carrick and golf Pro Andrew Harvey have similar views regarding what makes their course stand out from others. They both say the terrain, wildlife, and overall condition of the course stand out from others, and Andrew states that hole #12 (their signature hole) is a big factor in differentiating from other courses.
There hasn’t been much change to glacier wood over the time it has been open. There have been some minor changes like the addition of new tee boxes, bunker renovations, tree removals, etc. But this course doesn’t need change, it has consistently been ranked high in every category for public golf courses, and it is deserved.
Glacier Wood Golf Club continues to earn its accolades through dedication, thoughtful design, and a commitment to excellence. With affordable rates, exciting improvements on the horizon, and a stunning natural landscape, it’s no surprise the course is ranked among the nation’s best. Glacier Wood truly offers a memorable experience for every golfer.
