Redlands Mesa and Lakota Canyon Ranch

I am writing longer pieces on both, coming soon, but in the meantime here is the skinny on two of the best courses I have ever played or seen.

LAKOTA CANYON RANCH GOLF CLUB
1000 Club House Drive
New Castle, CO 81647
970.984.9700
www.lakotacanyonranch.com

Architect: Jim Engh
Par 72
Excitement Level - 11/12
Difficulty - 8/12
Conditioning - Four and ½ stars
Cost - $75 normally, 3PM twilight $65
Value – Five stars
Overall - Four and ½ stars

Tees Yards Rating Slope

Black 7111 72.2 137
Blue 6369 70.5 126
White 5608 68.1 116
Gold 4744 68.5 123

THE GOLF CLUB at REDLANDS MESA
2325 West Ridges Boulevard
Grand Junction, CO 81503
970.263.9270
www.redlandsmesa.com

Architect: Jim Engh
Par - 72
Excitement Level – 11/12
Difficulty – 6/12
Conditioning – Four and 1/2 stars
Cost - $75 Peak
Yearly memberships – Yes
Value – Five stars
Overall rating – Four and ½ stars

Tees Yards Rating Slope

Monument 7007 71.7 135
Redlands 6486 69.4 130
Canyon 5838 67.2 115
Desert 4916 69.0 115

Located a mere 90 minutes apart in western Colorado, Lakota and Redlands are two of the most brilliant undiscovered treasures in the U.S. At $75, both are a steal and a much more cost-effective alternative to pricey Scottsdale.

Lakota rumbles through wild, stark, barren, undulating topography. Elevation changes of over 100 feet present pinnacle tee boxes, fairways in valleys and par-3s clinging to cliffsides. There are very few houses, so the experience is rugged and surreal.

The front nine at Redlands has wide yet rumpled fairways, big slick greens and a pretty view at every tee box and green setting. Houses do crowd the fairways detracting a bit from the setting, but each hole is completely different and offers varied shot requirements. The best holes are the par-5 fifth with its two-tiered green set high on a plateau behind a waste area and the par-3 eighth with its green sitting in a grotto of rock.

The back nine is unbelieveable from start to finish. Holes 11-14 play towards the red-rock canyons offering stunning vistas. Muscle bunkers and rock outcroppings pinch fairways and present devilish cross hazards to put a premium on thoughtful planning.

The tee boxes on the other-worldly par-3 17th are carved into the side of gargantuan cone shaped rocky mountain.

Lakota and Redlands have everything that defines a world class golf course - inspiring beauty, intricate strategy and a phenomenal price. Though remote, they are worthy of planning an entire golf vacation around them. Go now, before the secret gets out.

Pix are below.