When Owners Ed and Janet Larson decided to sculpt some land into a golf course on the SE side of Independence, there were virtually no trees on the site except for the line marking the NW edge of the property. Today, there are an abundance of trees and the course overlooks the beautiful Three Elms Park.
Since the golf course was located on Three Elms Park Road and the course background views Three Elms Park, the natural name that came about was Three Elms Golf Course. To symbolize three elms, the course features three American elm trees planted on each of the nine tee-offs. The majority of the American elm trees were lost several years ago to the Dutch elm disease. After much research, the Larson’s were able to locate a new hybrid American elm tree from the state of Oregon.
Construction of the golf course began in 1997, and the Larson family built the golf course themselves. Ed and Janet co-own Larson Construction Company, Inc. We have been open since July of 2000.
Looking back at clubhouse below one tee box.
Looking over the pond off of seven green.
Three Elms Golf Course is a public, privately owned nine hole golf course located in Independence, Iowa. We are located on Three Elms Park Road, near Three Elms Park.
Three Elms Golf Course has a Par 35 layout and we give golfers something different to think about on each hole! Hole number one features a dogleg right and a creek marks the bend. Our course offers the challenge of large rolling greens. The number four green is nestled in a crater and the number nine green is over 9600 sq feet! The tee-off on hole number six can be challenging, as drivers must carry a pond, with a tree lined bend and sand trap waiting on the other side.
The course features six iron bridges and a covered bridge. There are 19 sand traps and a practice sand trap. Approximately 20 bird houses outline thee perimeter of the golf course. Our clubhouse offers a snack shop with brats, hot-dogs, chips, ice cream and lots of cold beverages!
What is best about Three Elms Golf Course?
By far — the people.
As a newcomer, I’ve found the members at Three Elms to be exceptionally fun and welcoming.
The fairways and greens were in excellent condition! I play here almost weekly and would recommend it to anyone.
This feature is coming in the near future. For now, call us to schedule a tee time.
Subject to availability, tee times can be moved to a date within the same year at no additional charge. To make this change please give us a call.
If we have to close the course we offer golfers the possibility to reschedule their tee time. Should this not be possible we offer a refund. We play in all conditions except thunder and lighting, it is, therefore, unlikely that the course will be closed over the summer months. We do not offer bad weather refunds for wind or rain.
We request casual attire. All golfers must wear a shirt. Metal spikes are not allowed on the course.
We have over twenty golf carts for rent. View the season pass page to view the rental fees.
We have a variety of soft drinks and adult beverages for purchase. Golfers are not permitted to bring their own hard beverages onto the course. Hot dogs, frozen Jacks pizza, popcorn, and ice cream bars are available too.