The Tournament Club of Iowa is 15 miles North/northwest of Des Moines in Polk City, near Big Creek Lake, and 7 miles west of I-35.

The layout is somewhat target golf with frequent heroic, risk/reward opportunities. It features a mixture of open space and forested areas highlighted with hills, bluffs, ravines, and valleys on rolling and mounded fairways, with stadium features on the last couple of holes and water hazards in play on 13 holes overall. The holes are isolated and unique, and the collection of par 3s is the highlight with scenic views, elevation drops, forced carries, and water features. The course was designed by Arnold Palmer and has 5 sets of tees, the longest being 7,043 yards, 74.0/145, course/slope ratings.