FOSSIL TRACE GOLF CLUB (303-277-8750)
Colorado Golf Course Review
Fossil Trace in Golden Colorado, in our opinion - is the MUST PLAY course in the Denver region. Jim Engh deserves credit for coming up with a gorgeous
design but he had some top rate golf property to work with. Named as the 2nd Best New Affordable Course in America by Golf Digest in 2003 and nestled
in the foothills of the Rocky Mountain's front range, this course simply put is one of the most interesting layouts we have encountered anywhere!
Fossil Trace has been honored as a 4-1/2 star course by Golf Digest Places to Play since 2006, and was also named the Best Course in Denver by ESPN
.com from 2006 to the present. With rates topping out at around $75 prime time including cart (residents have discounted rates), this also is one of the
best golf values in the country. The property is also home to the Fossil Trace Golf Academy, with a great variety of lessons, clinics and golf schools
available. The Junior and Family golf programs are some of the best the state has to offer.
On property is a clubhouse with pro shop and restaurant/lounge serving breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. The outdoor patio features spectacular vistas
of the golf course and surrounding area, and there also are separate outing/event facilities. Uplink GPS is standard on all carts, but the course is also well
marked with sprinkler heads measured to the center of the green and permanent 100, 150 and 200 markers on the cart paths. Pin placement charts are
also mounted on the golf carts, which also provide ball and club washers.
There are 7 sets of tees that play to distances of 6831, 6577, 6241, 5933, 5559, 5197 and 4681 with new slope/ratings coming mid-August 2010. Golfers
familiar with Engh designs will be accustomed to the long, deep, penal, intricately designed soft sand bunkers that highlight his layouts - and they are
plentiful on this beautiful course. There are just 37 sand traps located along the fairways or situated greenside, but the strategic placing and length of the
designs truly make these bunkers hazardous.
Players will find the 12th hole memorable - with stunning red rock outcroppings and formations situated in the middle of the fairway and greenside. Another
unique characteristic is the frequent occurrence of bowl effect fairways and slopes greenside that feed the ball towards the hole. The opening hole is also
a stunner - as the approach plays downhill over or around a unique chimney rock formation that is situated in the center of the fairway. Several holes play
from elevated tees, and most of the green complexes are protected by sand traps, mounds and swales forming collection areas that create challenging up
and down situations. The putting surfaces are often multi tiered and very undulating.
The water features are spectacular, and affect the tee shots or approaches on 7 of the holes, including the beautiful finishing hole, which is highlighted by
a lake that runs the length of the hole and demands an accurate approach to small sloping green. Practice facilities on property include a targeted grass
range, short game area with sand bunker plus large putting green. PLAY THIS COURSE! For more info, visit our page for Fossil Trace, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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