February in Des Moines, IA: cool / cold season for golf — expect distance loss and stiff muscles. Best tee times: midday when temperatures are warmest.
| Average February Weather | |
|---|---|
| Avg daily high | 36°F |
| Avg daily low | 17°F |
| Rainy days | 9 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 14 mph |
Booking strategy shifts significantly in February in Des Moines, and that shift starts before you even check the forecast. With an average high of just 36°F and a low of 17°F, most courses run reduced or irregular hours, and some close entirely during cold snaps. That means the typical "book a few days out" approach fails — you need to confirm the course is actually open before reserving a tee time, and morning slots are often unplayable until temperatures climb past the frost threshold.
The one scheduling advantage February offers is the lightest precipitation load of the year, tied at 9 rainy or snowy days — the same as November and December. Demand is low, so last-minute availability is rarely the problem. The problem is conditions. Wind averages 14 mph at peak, making an already cold round feel significantly harsher. Midday windows — roughly 11 AM to 2 PM — are your best target, when the temperature has had time to rise and daylight remains.
With courses operating on unpredictable winter schedules, call ahead the morning of your round to confirm the course is open and frost delays are lifted — don't rely solely on online booking systems that may not reflect real-time conditions. Target tee times between 11 AM and 1 PM, when the 36°F average high is most likely to be reached and wind chill is at its most manageable. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
February is 5°F warmer than January on average highs (36°F vs. 31°F) and sheds one precipitation day, so playable windows are slightly more frequent heading into the month. March jumps another 14°F to a 50°F average high and brings 3 additional precipitation days, meaning March opens up real scoring weather but at the cost of muddier, wetter fairways. Wind stays stubbornly similar across all three months, hovering between 13.5 and 14.3 mph peak.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Des Moines, IA for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
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Some public courses in Des Moines stay open through February if the ground isn't frozen solid or snow-covered, but hours are reduced and closures happen with little notice during cold snaps. With an average high of only 36°F and lows around 17°F, conditions are marginal most days. Calling the pro shop the morning of your round is the safest approach.
February peaks at 14 mph, making it the 3rd-windiest month of the year in Des Moines — and that wind hits harder when temperatures are sitting in the 20s and 30s. Open parkland-style courses common in central Iowa offer little shelter, so factor in significant wind chill on exposed holes. A low ball flight and bump-and-run approach around greens tends to score better than high approach shots in these conditions.