by Craig Lemley | Oct 27, 2015 | Golf Courses, Reviews
The entire list of World Golf’s amenities is much too long to address everything at once. In short, it’s a one-of-a-kind golf oasis on the southeast side of Colorado Springs. The World Golf complex touts a multi-level driving range, a practice green, a miniature golf course, a pro shop, a restaurant, a golf simulator, and an executive nine-hole course, which we’re highlighting in this space.
The course, the Sand Creek part of the complex, is one of two executive courses in the Springs — that we know of. It’s cheap, plays fast, and offers shooters A LOT of scoring opportunities. But it’s the nuances that allow Sand Creek to avoid being written off as a novelty.
Chasing the sun on the no. 8 green.
This is not a serious round of golf. That ought to start setting in as you’re standing on the first tee box, making a crucial decision that’ll impact your entire round: red flags or yellow flags. Each green sports two cups; one is standard diameter, the other is big enough for a beach ball. All of this isn’t to say that you can’t take your round at S.C. seriously, it’s just not as fun. On the other hand, if you end up with an ace on your scorecard playing the oversized cups, the onus is on you and your group to decide the legitimacy — I won’t judge.
No. 1 is one of seven par-3s — two back-to-back par-4s complete the layout. These holes are stacked right on top of one another, it’s not that hard to get mixed up on the tee box so pay mind to the layout on the scorecard. Aside from the blind landing on the no. 1 green, S.C. is a target-shooter’s dream come true with few hazards and multiple approaches to most of the greens.
The greens are pretty straight-forward, no crazy undulations or awkward hole placements. And there aren’t any hard dog legs or blind approaches. Actually, you won’t find anything out of the ordinary at S.C., that is until you notice the pirate ship resting near the creek bed from the no. 3 tee box. It’s hard to say how it got there, or more importantly, why, but like I said, nuances…
“I think I holed it.” Twilight dreaming on the drivable no. 4 par-4.
Long hitters get their kicks on the no. 4 and no. 5 par-4s, both offering great eagle opportunities — albatross if you bring the big stick. No. 4 starts at an elevated tee box, the fairway starting after about 50 yards of thick brush and a the namesake creek — at this point just a ditch, really. No. 5 runs the opposite direction, parallel to no. 4, with an elevated green set to the right of a water hazard, separated from the fairway by the creek.
Finishing with four consecutive par-3s, one can see how some players may find the round lacking and unsubstantial. But you’re also only paying for what you get. Non-member green fees run $11 for nine; World Golf also offers multiple memberships and “Unlimited” packages that offer additional savings around the complex (find more details via the course website).
World Golf and Sand Creek is a golf complex like no other in the Springs. A huge, stadium-lit practice range, an indoor golf simulator, a pro shop offering fittings, repairs, lessons, and new and used clubs, miniature golf, and more only add to its lure. There is truly something for everyone here. You have plenty of reasons to book a tee time.
by Craig Lemley | 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
by Craig Lemley | Oct 27, 2015 | Golf Courses, Reviews
This is why we play golf. Pine Creek Golf Club (9850 Divot Trail, pinecreekgc.com), on the north side of Colorado Springs, is a fantastic, two-for-one challenge fit for average to intermediate players. The front and back nine of this 7,241-yard (from the tips) tout two very different layouts; the front a self described “canyon” style course, the back being a more traditional links style layout.
Neither nine is easy, be prepared for a challenge on every hole. You’ll get a little taste of every kind of hazard, from ponds and bunkers to thick native grasses and meandering creek beds spread througout the course. If you end up in any of them, good luck. This is not a friendly course, you’ll want to use every trick in your bag to keep your ball playable.
Sunrise on the massive bunker welcoming players to the No. 1 green.
The trouble starts early at the 412-yard par-4 no. 1. The dog-legged fairway is protected by a narrow opening, lined on the left side by a thick natural hazard blocking your view to the green, and another hazard the right. Once you do lay eyes on the slightly elevated island green, you’ll have to decide how to deal with the mammoth bunker looming at the end of the fairway. Don’t expect a reprieve before the turn. The rest of the front plays similar to no. 1 — long, tight, and with difficult elevation changes.
The par four 419-yard no. 9, one of the hardest holes on the course, doesn’t do you any favors either. Another long, dog-legged fairway hides the green from the tee. And thoughts of an aggressive shot to the left side of the fairway — playing the inside curve of the dog leg — should be put to rest by more thick hazard, and a strategically placed tree protecting the inside line to the green.
The view from the no. 7 green offers a little reprieve from the struggle on the course.
After the turn, you’ll find yourself on an entirely different course. That doesn’t mean that it’s any easier, mind, but new challenge is still refreshing… in a way.
The 412-yard par-4 no. 10 fairway is split in two by the creek bed — long hitters may consider playing less-than-driver off the tee to avoid any close calls. No. 11 and no. 12 run alongside the water hazard, playing long and fairly tight, followed by one of the easiest holes on the course, the no. 13 par-3.
The toughest stretch on the front comes via holes 14, 15, and 16, a dog leg par-4, a hazard happy par-5, and a signature par-3, respectively. No. 14 takes players back over the creek from the tee, following a constant curve to the green set near the no. 3 tee boxes, protected by several bunkers and undulations on the frontside.
No. 15 demands accuracy from tee to green, with little room for error between a natural hazard running the length of the hole on the right, and houses on the left. No. 16 is innocent looking enough, but a decorative pond, the creek, and surrounding houses are magnets for errant tee shots. Depending on the pin placement, aggressive shots will get you in trouble.
A glimpse of the no. 15 green, and the decorative pond from the green side rough on no. 16.
Players face one final uphill challenge on no. 17 par-4 before closing the round on the beautiful 18th. An elevated tee shot does your confidence wonders on this par four. Take straight aim at the clubhouse set above the green — catch the hill at the bottom of the fairway for real ego boost. The approach to the green will play a little longer as you’re working your way back uphill. Depending on the lie you may not have a view of your landing on the green, don’t fly it and spoil this ending.
Green fees start around $29 for nine holes and as low as $30 for 18 — prices vary throughout the day (find updated pricing and tee times here) — making Pine Creek one of the more relatively expensive courses in the area. But the experience is certainly worth it.
by Craig Lemley | Oct 27, 2015 | Golf Courses, Reviews
Players are warned before entering ‘The Gauntlet’ at Antler Creek Golf Course in Peyton, Colorado.
“You are now entering “The Gauntlet,”” a sign reads as you pull up to the no.9 tee box at Antler Creek Golf Course (9650 Antler Creek Dr., Falcon, CO,719/494-1900, antlercreekgolf.com). “Arguably the hardest 4-hole stretch in Colorado.” Ye be warned. Consisting of three par-4s and one par-5, don’t plan on any scoring opportunities, just worry about reaching the 13th tee with your sanity intact.
The panic starts to set in at the no. 9 tee, even more so when addressing your approach. A smattering of bunkers on the right constricts the fairway halfway between the tee and green, followed by another collection of sand constricting your approach even more. These bunkers are big and deep, and an appropriate welcome party for The Gauntlet.
What a beautiful view of the bunkers from the no.9 tee box.
So you’re leaving no. 9 with an up-and-down bogey — we all know it was a double. Please keep your seatbelt fastened. The 657-yard (from the tips) par-5 no. 10 feels more like 800 yards, playing uphill from tee to green. Long hitters can expect a short approach if reaching the green in three —as long as you avoid the thick natural hazards on either side of the fairway — but shorter hitters will be playing long and mid irons for GIR. And did I mention the dogleg? Playing your third shot from the left side of the fairway will give the best down the dogleg and of the green. The green, however, is again uphill, and protected by a bunker and a pair of burms on the front side.
By now you probably don’t want to talk about your score, understandable, the good news — or bad news — is you’re halfway through this monster. The par-4 no. 11, another dog leg (right), is threatening from the get-go. What my foursome calls “the ditch” runs the length of the hole on the right side, making you think twice about trying to cut the corner from the tee. But the safer play on the left isn’t without hazard either, a bunker lies in the corner of the dog leg and very inviting to wary tee shots. Fear not, though, the short grass leads downhill for your approach shot, that is, to another elevated green … protected by a hill more than willing to funnel you ball far from the cup if you land on the wrong side of it.
Tee-to-green, the no. 12 dog leg.
Take a breath, one more left (yes you can throw your scorecard away). You’re not out of the thick on the 538-yard par-4 no. 12. As a matter of fact, you very well may be in the literal thick, with a sprawling natural hazard along the left side of the fairway. And oh yeah — surprise — it’s another dogleg. Your tee shot can get you into some trouble, a short (read shank) shot will leave you in the natural hazard while anything long can fly the fairway — and into a house if you muscle it. The approach to the green is less anxiety-inducing than the previous three, but the slope of the green is also likely to run you off the dance floor.
Deep breath in, deep breath out. You’ve just completed what very well may be the hardest four-hole stretch in the state of Colorado. You have six more holes to salvage what’s left of your score. Continue the grind.
by Craig Lemley | Oct 27, 2015 | Golf Courses, Reviews
“I love you. You annoy me more than I ever thought possible. But I want to spend every irritating minute with you.” — Anonymous
This is exactly how we at CGB feel about Patty Jewett (900 E. Española St., pattyjewettgolfshop.com), one of our favorite courses in the Springs. There is a lot to dislike about this muni course — notorious frost delays, slow play (what’s a marshall?), the laughable seasonal pricing, etc. Still, there is a lot to love.
Pikes Peak from the no.6 tee box.
The views are one thing, add a 27-hole, well-maintained layout with an excellent clubhouse, restaurant and patio in downtown Colorado Springs on top of that. But that doesn’t mean this course should get a pass for its obvious flaws.
The main issue with Patty Jewett comes down to the consistently slow play. A weekend round in the fall took a CGB threesome six hours to finish, without a marshall in sight. It’s hard to blame it all on the foursome of old timers that’ll probably be in front of you, I’ll blame the bureaucracy for poor course management. And don’t even get me started on Patty’s infamous frost delays — once we waited over an hour and a half to tee off in the late fall.
A twilight view from Patty’s no.17 tee box.
The layout is gorgeous, though, and the turf conditions … Patty knows what we like. It’s hard to put down one of the most beautiful courses in the city. Rebuilt bunkers and cart paths, and aesthetic work along the creek bed proves the course maintenance is on point, and work the continues. And depending on drought conditions, obviously, it’s hard to find fairer fairways or greener greens in the Springs metro area.
As for play, Patty is just challenging enough for average golfers — those on top of their game will find plenty of scoring opportunities. It’s not the longest course around, but there are plenty of chances for big swingers to let loose too. The hazard situation falls in the moderate to difficult category depending on which portion of the course you’re playing and skill level. A signature hole — and hazard — is the Peak course’s the 368-yard No. 9 par-4 — plan on hitting two and take shot over the water.
Twilight at the no.9 tee box on the Peak course.
Patty’s pleasures come at a premium — at least for golfers on a budget — $16 for 9, $31 for 18 during peak season; carts fees are $13 and $26, respectively. And you won’t find any reprieve with their offseason pricing — you save a whopping $2 dollars on 18, and an entire dollar on 9. There are a couple other cost-saving options including membership deals and twilight rates as well. See the pricing on this page for more on that.
With tremendous views and impeccable turf conditions, poor course management and questionable pricing, we hate to love Patty Jewett — or maybe it’s the other way around. Either way, this course will remain a CGB go-to for the foreseeable future, warranted or not.
