Southern Colorado golf tour

by | May 26, 2017 | Golf Courses, Reviews

COCOgolftourPre Amendment 64, which legalized recreational marijuana, if Colorado were known for one thing, it would be our 29,000-plus acres of skiable terrain, which justifiably makes us “Ski Country USA.”

But happy as we are hitting the high country during the winter months to make some leisurely lines on the slopes, the snow-sports scene takes a backseat to every other fitness-focused activity you can think of during the summer season. (Oh, you climb the Incline every weekend? How novel.)

It’s easy to forget — that is, if you knew it already — that Colorado is also home to an impressive array of golf courses, more than 200 of them, including some of the highest-rated private and public courses in the country. Southern Colorado hosts a number of premiere tracks unlike any others. Really, where else can you tee off from close to 9,000 feet above sea level? From Monument and Woodland Park, to Colorado Springs and Cañon City, long links-style layouts to 9-hole par-3s, the grass really is greener in Colorado.

Quintessential Colorado

Snow-capped mountains, forested foothills, bubbling creeks, big game and other wildlife: The golf at Shining Mountain Golf Club (100 Shining Mountain Lane, Woodland Park, shiningmountaingolf.com) is just the icing on the cake. One of the state’s most accessible mountain courses from a metro area, about 30 miles west of Colorado Springs on Highway 24, Shining Mountain’s 18-hole, par-70 layout is a must-play for the views alone. Tight, undulating fairways hug the hills and surrounding marshlands under Pikes Peak’s north face, defining the beauty of Colorado at every turn. Shining Mountain’s signature hole could be the par-3 17th, its elevated tee boxes looking out to a large green protected by a small pond, and set against the gorgeous backdrop of the valley, forest and the towering Rocky Mountains.

Municipal courses

Notably lacking in quality in southern Colorado, municipal courses are to the average golfer what a grade school is to any Average Joe: nostalgic. City-run courses become a part of the local community; a neighborhood gathering place, a go-to bar spot, an event venue — not just a place to swing the sticks. No place exhibits this more than Patty Jewett Golf Course (900 E. Espanola St., pattyjewettgolfshop.com), one of the Springs’ two municipal courses. The 27-hole layout is both welcoming and challenging to players of any skill level, and delivers iconic views of the Front Range from anywhere on the property. Prime conditions and a clubhouse with a warm, appealing patina complete an affordable country club feel.

Conditions are also king at Pueblo’s Walking Stick Golf Course (4301 Walking Stick Blvd., Pueblo, walkingstickpueblo.com), one of Pueblo’s three muni courses. The 18-hole, par-72 layout has historically rated as one of Colorado’s best courses to play on a budget, offering players a full-service, desert-links style design for less than $40 per round during peak season. The picturesque track sports rolling fairways, pot bunkers and troubling natural hazards, paying off with big, inviting greens and plenty of scoring opportunities.

More area links

Rooted in tradition, the prevailing golf course design you’ll find anywhere is links, and southern Colorado is no different. Historically, links courses are coastal, with scant trees, expansive natural hazards and undulating terrain. Sans the nearby beach, King’s Deer Golf Club (19255 Royal Troon Drive, Monument, kingsdeergolfclub.com) stays true to a modern links design — a formidable, 18-hole, par-71 challenge surrounded by lush, gorgeous marshlands and abundant natural hazards. Target golfers and scramblers are the only ones to master this realm, but long hitters may find some low scores too.

On the east side of Colorado Springs, Springs Ranch Golf Club (3525 Tutt Blvd., springsranchgolfclub.com) hones its own links design. The newly remodeled layout criss-crosses Sand Creek several times, taking advantage of the natural dunes and expansive views of the surrounding landscape. Trouble isn’t hard to find on any golf course, but Springs Ranch is the perfect place to get aggressive and shoot right at the pin.

Cap your Colorado links mini-tour at Cañon City’s Four Mile Ranch Golf Club (3501 Telegraph Trail, Cañon City, fourmileranch.com). This up-and-coming golf community centers on the 18-hole, par-72 layout. Don’t let the humble clubhouse (I mean trailer) fool you, Four Mile is a course you won’t soon forget. Undulating is an understatement — this is a raging sea of conditioned turf that’s both forgiving and infuriating. Blind shots are a signature at Four Mile, grip it and rip and trust the funneling greens will reward your ambition.

Military and private courses

At the foot of Cheyenne Mountain, across U.S. Highway 115 from Cheyenne Mountain State Park, awaits Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course (1050 Titus Blvd. #7800, carson.armymwr.com), Fort Carson’s resident track. Open to civilians, the 18-hole, par-72 layout boasts dramatic views of the surrounding landscape, and is approachable by any player. The Air Force Academy is home to the much-lauded Eisenhower courses (usafasupport.com/golf-course.html), two 18-hole tracks playing amongst the trees and foothills for service members and their guests. Meanwhile, Peterson AFB hosts Silver Spruce Golf Course (40 Glasgow Ave., 21fss.com/silver-spruce-golf-course). Its well-maintained 18-hole and 9-hole, par-3 courses are also open to the public.

The Springs’ private courses are much like anywhere else: pricey and exclusive. But if you have a chance to chase birdies at the Colorado Springs Country Club, Garden of the Gods Country Club, Cheyenne Mountain C.C., or even The Broadmoor, you’d be a fool not to take it. Exceptional conditions and five-star treatment is what the country club life is all about, and every golfer should experience it at least once.

Practice, practice, practice

It’s hard to enjoy a round if you’re thinking about breaking every club in your bag, no matter where you are. But there are a number of facilities here to help lower your scores. World Golf & Sand Creek G.C. (6865 Galley Road, worldgolfsandcreek.com) on the east side of town is the site of a large, stadium-lit driving range, a practice green — and mini golf — a golf simulator and a short 9-hole track. And Cherokee Ridge Golf Course (1850 Tuskegee Place, cherokeeridgegolfcourse.com), home to a regulation 9-hole and another 9-hole, par-3, is another suitable, inexpensive place to hone your hacking. The First Tee (525 N. Academy Blvd., thefirstteepikespeak.org) hosts youth programs at its impressive indoor practice facility, also open to the public year-round for practice sessions.

Shoot ’em straight.

Editor’s Note: This content was originally published in the Colorado Springs Independent newspaper, used with permission.

Back at the Four Mile Ranch

by | Oct 27, 2015 | Golf Courses, Reviews

There are two ways to look at Cañon City’s Four Mile Ranch. You could call the rolling greens gimmicky and say they reward bad shots — something akin to miniature golf course with ridiculous blind approaches and 30 degree dog legs — with little more to offer. Or you can enjoy this stunning southern Colorado course for what it actually is; an affordable offering of challenging yet forgiving holes tailor-made for average and intermediate golfers.

Four Mile Ranch, a short 40-miles south of Colorado Springs, boasts tremendous views of surrounding mountain ranges and wide open landscapes — and a handful of the area’s famous correctional facilities — coupled with a temperate, New Mexico-like climate that keeps the course open year round.

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Sunrise from the practice green at Four Mile Ranch.

It should be noted that this is a pretty bare bones operation right now. There’s no restaurant or bar, no pool, no patio or anything other than the course, a practice range, and putting deck. The clubhouse is currently in the form of a mobile trailer parked next to a model home — the cartbarn is easily four or five times its size. Inside you’ll find basic amenities but you’ll want to plan ahead with food and drinks depending on your liking (you’ll want to check Four Mile’s outside food and drink policy). That won’t be the case for very much longer, though.

Peak season rates run $48 and $25 w/cart for 18 and 9, respectively, during the week, $58 and $30 on weekends; winter rates are $23 and $10 walking on weekdays, $30 and $10 on weekends. Check the course rates page for season dates and more pricing details. Word to the wise: Buy a bucket of range balls. Four Mile offers one of the most random smattering of range balls I’ve ever seen — everything from what could be the very first range balls ever made to like-new Titleist, Callaway, Nike, and more. With a careful eye and quick fingers you can pick a profitable bundle to stuff in your bag before your round. You may need them.

Now, let’s talk about this, ehem, interesting course layout.

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From the left side fairway hill on no. 1.

You’ll get a good taste of what you’re in for from the first tee — a massive hill on the left side fairway looks down upon its depressed counterpart on the right, the green’s set upon another hill, its undulations visible from the tips.

And so the story is set for the remaining 17. If it’s not the steep hills or natural bunkers that tie you up — there are no sand bunkers at Four Mile — a number of tiered greens, blind approaches, and some of the sharpest dog legs around definitely will. Some may call that gimmicky, but I say these holes present unique challenges sure to keep you pleasantly surprised from start to finish. Every course is different, Four Mile just makes it a point to stand out.

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Rolling rolling rolling, keep them fairways rolling.

This is not a beginners course, definitely catering to average and intermediate players. A handful of greens do prove friendlier than the rest — stick the right landing on the no. 3 par-3 and set yourself up with a four-feet birdie putt, and I doubt you’ll find yourself outside of six-feet on the no. 6 green. In short, yes, Four Mile can and will reward bad shots, but chances are you’re not on the Tour — I for one love any extra help on the green that I can get.

The aforementioned no. 6 par-5 has to be considered one of Four Mile’s signature holes. Your distance from the tee will determine your second shot approach to the natural hazard burm that completely masks the green from view. Long hitters can make an attempt to fly the burm, shorter players can layup for a sure-to-be money third shot to the green, marked by a black and white stake planted in the top of the burm. The funneled green, as promised, will do you all the favors, drawing your approach back towards the hole from any side of the green.

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Four Mile’s par 4 TK, green to fairway.

The par-3 you find at the 14th also follows the hidden, funneled green model. A solid stroke and a good line over the black and white aiming stake will surly get your hole-in-one hopes up. Too bad you won’t see it drop, if it does.

Another stand out hole is at the turn. A tighter fairway on the no. 10 par-4 leads you through an opening in a natural rock formation followed by a daunting uphill approach. Play to the left side of the fairway before the opening in the rock for the clearest line to the green, club up for the uphill approach.

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Your lie may not be any good, but the view sure is.

The round ends on the expansive par-4 18th. The wide shot from the tee allows you to take a break from the status quo, that is until your final approach. The no. 18 cup is an elusive one, the flag protected heavily by natural hazards and another elevated, undulated green — just when you thought it was over.

On the surface, Four Mile Ranch is little more than a collection of unconventional greens set upon a layout that’s just as unconventional, with little more to offer. But play a round or two and you’ll recognize the unique, super fun challenge this course offers as an alternative to your regular weekend round.