The Ankeny Brief
UDisc counts three courses in Ankeny, and for most people it comes down to two. If you have an hour and want a real round, go to Heritage Park. If you have a lunch break, go to DMACC.
Twenty-one, at 300 NE Frisk Drive. The city calls it one of Central Iowa's most popular disc golf courses, and with 1,521 reviews on UDisc (3.6 of 5 stars as of November 2026), it does get played. Expect gradual hills, a lot of trees, few water hazards and a mix of tight and open holes.
About the length: the city lists 3,600 feet with a 4,100-foot alternate. UDisc shows five layouts and puts the popular "Long Tees, Full 21" at 6,174 feet, par 69, with most holes between 222 and 396 feet. So ask which layout someone means before you compare scores.
The park has a parking lot, shelters, picnic tables, a grill and a portable toilet, so it works for a group day. Tees are cement pads with signs, and the city posts a course map (PDF) on its Heritage Park page. Recent UDisc reviews mention mud around some tees after wet stretches and trouble finding the next hole, including hole 6, so pull up the map on your phone. Events run each summer; the city page gives a local contact at 515-964-8028.
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On the DMACC Ankeny campus, 2006 S Ankeny Blvd. Lakeside DGC is 9 holes and 2,775 feet with most holes between 236 and 366 feet. UDisc lists turf tee pads, Innova Discatcher Pro28 baskets and a practice area, and players usually spend 30 minutes to an hour. It rates 3.8 of 5 from 304 reviews, the highest of the three in town, and UDisc marks it cart friendly.
Campus means you should look for posted parking rules when classes are in session. One heads up from recent reviews: the tee pad on hole 8 has a lifted front corner, so watch your run-up.
Know what you are getting: a UDisc user describes it as just a field with no tees, signs or targets, using wood stakes and trees as pins. It has 16 reviews and a 2.0 average. Play it only if you are already in the neighborhood and want to throw.
At Lakeside. It is shorter and takes less time, so a bad round ends quickly. You do not need a full bag: one all-purpose midrange or a beginner set gets you around either course. Move to Heritage Park when you are comfortable, and start on its shorter layout.
UDisc lists a Lions league in Ankeny with Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday play. Check the listing for current nights and location before you show up. It also lists one store in town that sells disc golf gear. Search for it in the UDisc app, since stock and hours change.
Iowa DNR lists a disc golf course at Big Creek State Park near Polk City, and Recreation.gov notes one near the Saylorville campgrounds. See our outdoors guide for the rest of a day out.
Trails & bike paths · Fishing spots · Golf courses · The outdoors guide · Things to do
Ankeny's main disc golf course is Heritage Park, 300 NE Frisk Drive, a 21-hole course established in 1993 with gradual hills, lots of trees, minimal water hazards and a mix of tight and open holes. There's also Lakeside DGC at DMACC, a free 9-hole course on the DMACC campus rated moderate difficulty.
Heritage Park has 21 holes and was established in 1993. The city lists a 3,600-foot course with a 4,100-foot alternate, while UDisc shows five layouts, with Long Tees, Full 21 at 6,174 feet and par 69. It is cart friendly.
Yes. UDisc lists both Heritage Park and Lakeside DGC at DMACC as free to play. You just need your own discs.
The 9-hole Lakeside course at DMACC is the lower-commitment starting point. It's 2,775 feet and takes 30 minutes to an hour. Heritage Park's 21 holes, hills and tree cover make for a fuller round once you've got the basics down.
UDisc says a typical round takes about 1 hour and covers about 2 miles, depending on the layout and how busy it is.
UDisc lists a Lions league with Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday play in Ankeny. Check the UDisc listing for current times and location.
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