FOSSIL TRACE GOLF CLUB (303-986-7888)
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!
In 2007 Fossil Trace was honored as a 4-1/2 star course by Golf Digest Places to Play, and was also named the
Best Course in Denver by ESPN.com. 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 4 sets of tees that play to distances and slopes measuring 6831 yards/139 slope, 6241 yards/131
slope, 5559 yards/119 slope for men and 136 for women, and 4681 yards with a slope of 121 for ladies hitting
from the forward tees. 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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