Golf Courses Near Dubuque, IA

Dubuque, Iowa’s oldest city, is known as “The Masterpiece on the Mississippi.” While much of Iowa is flat, Dubuque is at the eastern edge of the state where bluffs and hills can thrill golfers looking for tee times. In the heart of the city, the 1937-vintage par-69 Bunker Hill Golf Course features elevation changes, limestone outcroppings, large mature trees, and yes, Hot Deal tee times. At the 45-hole Lacoma Golf Club, the long and tough Blue Course is the tournament layout, the Gold nine is hilly, tight, and very scenic, and the Red nine is shorter and more forgiving. Lacoma also offers a very short Par-3 nine-holer. Derby Grange Golf & Recreation is another executive-style par-3 layout. The Meadows Golf Club, a varied, slope-filled course that Golf Advisor has rated one of the top courses in Iowa, has recently undergone a bunker renovation. Look for Hot Deals at Fillmore Fairways in Cascade, Iowa, another top flight course with wide fairways that tumble over hilly terrain. Keep in mind Dubuque is near both the Wisconsin and Illinois borders. Platteville Golf & Country Club in Platteville, Wisconsin is a 1921-vintage 18 that Golf Advisor has rated one Wisconsin’s best. In Galena, Illinois, Eagle Ridge Resort is one of the premier golf retreats in the entire Midwest. The most renowned layout at this 45-hole golf mecca is The General, at one time a top-100 U.S. course.

Many of the attractions of this port city on the Mississippi are tied to the water. The Riverwalk is ever popular for recreation, while the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is a showcase of the river, the creatures who inhabit it, and the history of the area. River Fest in June is a civic celebration that attracts big name performers. Dubuque’s topography and bluffs make for exciting hiking and biking. Prime spots are the Mines of Spain Recreation Area and Eagle Point Park, which is notable for its bluff-top views. For a unique thrill and another great view of the river, downtown and land in three states, ride up the Fenelon Place Elevator, the world’s shortest and steepest railroad. It climbs 189 feet on its 296-foot journey. Dubuque is also home to two casinos and the Dubuque Museum of Art which is noted for its collection of Grant Wood art. The city is surprisingly part of America’s largest wine growing region and just 15 miles from Galena, Illinois, a tourist town noted for its 19th-century buildings and for golf.