Lakota Links Golf Club

Very disappointed after just playing Redlands Mesa the day before. Description of the course layout needs to be provided via an updated GPS system or a detailed map. At a minimum, the course should install 150 yd markers. I often use them to understand where to safely aim when not familiar with a course. Flags should always be visible. Hole 18 is a perfect example. Neither the green or flag was visible from the drive. Being only 170 yds out, the flag should have been visible to allow me to weigh the risk and reward of the next shot. Neither the scorecard or the GPS provided enough information to understand the layout of the hole. First cut immediately off the greens was patchy and clumpy. Course had an irrigation problem. Some areas were dry, hard, and thin while many were so wet and spongy that the carts damaged the fairways if driven over them. Drives plugged in these areas. Balls had to be moved to drier areas to get solid footing. Grass along the cart path was not cut and balls were easily lost. Overall, course management needs to be improved. No clubhouse or restaurant.

This is a typical Jim Engh course you either love it or hate it. You would need to play a few times to know where to place your shots. The front nine had some irrigation issues in the fairway and very wet lies were the norm. If you are out of shape I would go somewhere else because you are climbing up and down the whole round. My three playing partners enjoyed it but I won't be coming back anytime soon.

We had a group of 12 for a guys weekend of golfing. We had arranged tee times several months in advance with agreed upon green fees. The pro shop staff was less than hospitable and came across irritated that we had a discounted rate. They overcharged the first person and then the coordinator in our group mentioned the group rate and he claimed there was nothing he could do. I've already processed it....and just stared at us. Ended up giving us range tokens for the difference. Everyone in the facility acted as if they were new, untrained, and lost, with a complete lack of any sense of customer service.

When we got on the course the only pleasant personality was the drink cart girl. We were harassed by Craig (the Marshall) telling us to speed it up; that groups behind us were calling him complaining about slow play. We later asked about that and were told the GPS units on our carts would advise us if we were playing behind schedule and not a single cart had that notice.

Another employee at the course later admitted that Craig is always a jerk and he just wanted us to speed up because he wanted to go home early.

The course was in good shape and a very nice layout but the service and treatment completely ruined the experience. I would advise to steer clear of this place until some wholesale staff changes are made.

Really great vistas Course we over watered and some by CNET's had little sand in gen. Biggest issue pace of play took 5 hrs. Course allowed fivesome and did nothing to encourage faster play ruined round.

This is a typical Jim Engh course. Mickey mouse. Just like Redland Mesa and Fossil Trace. Why people pay him money to design golf courses is crazy.

This was the 2nd day of our 3 rounds in the mountains.

Having played Redlands Mesa the day before we were expecting the conditions to be as good or better based on the price....overall they were pretty good, but the greens had a lot of poa in them...not nearly as smooth, for a noonish tee time.

The views were really nice. As with Redlands, most holes played from an elevated tee down into the canyons. A few blind shots on this course, carts had GPS for yardage only, no pics of holes...I will say the 18th is a great risk, reward hole to finish.

We'd certainly play it a again, but not for the rack rate we paid....it's good but not great.

Lakota is a fun very dramatic course with elevated tees and lots of valleys. There are a lot of blind shots. The greens had just been punched so they were not very good. But overall it was a good experience. They are building a new clubhouse, so there are basically no amenities at this time.The views are beautiful.

This was my second round at Lakota Canyon with the first being last year about this same time.

The early spring season in the Rockies can be hit or miss, but this weather held and the course was in excellent shape for this time of year.

The greens were soft and a bit slower than normal which was due to the allowance of early season growth. That was fine with us since it was our first outing of the new season.

The outside staff was friendly, but the inside guy was a bit unwelcoming probably due to us playing with a Golf Now discount of only $27 each (with a cart). But his dour attitude didn't deter us from enjoying our first outing.

The first time I played, I took the (bad) advice about playing from the tips in order to enjoy a better view. Well, this time we played from the blue tees and enjoyed the view just as much without the hassle of an additional 100' vertical climb and ascent from black tee boxes. Plus, the blue tees were much more enjoyable and favorable to our game at this early time in the season.

The course is building a new clubhouse which should make the overall experience much more enjoyable and easier to complete the full day. Currently, one must register at one location, then drive up the hill to the course. The new clubhouse will have a great view and add much to the overall satisfaction of this fun venue.

I can hardily recommend this course as a fun, yet challenging course for the decent golfer.

The course was absolutely perfect!! Just 2 days before closing and the greens were soft and rolling consistent and true. Tee boxes perfect, fairways green. Did I mention how sweet the greens were? Lol

No better place to play fall golf. They even punched the greens two weeks prior and it was back to perfect in no time. Once the club house is finished, this course will be on my list to play every year.

I love the course. I just would appreciate a warning for plugged and sanded greens. Might not have played knowing this up front. This is reason for low condition rating.

Phenomenal views from every angle. Always driving "up" to hit down! A definite must play and even more so, a definite must "replay". Course was in great shape, wide open fairways. Love watching the golf ball fly against the mountain backdrop. Highly recommend playing more than once!

Each hole on the front 9 was spectacular! My wife & I were so impressed we stared looking at houses for sale & lots for sale on the course. The back nine was challenging as well & almost as spectacular as the front nine. We will be playing this course many more times even though we are over an hour away!

We had a great afternoon. Something for everyone. Enough tee boxes for every level of play.
We will definitely play there again.
When they get the clubhouse finished it will be perfect.

Bowl shaped fairways and elevated tee shots give this course it's name! Great time playing here.

This course is one of the best I have played. Gorgeous and very challenging. The only thing is they were under construction and we had to pay at one stop and drive to the carts. Other then that awesome.

Had a great time playing this course. Awesome views! Couple of strange holes with totally blind shots to the green, but overall enjoyed the rest. Staff was really friendly, but there is no clubhouse near the turn and start.

Just a weird course. Too many elevated tees and bind greens. Just built on terrain that a golf course should not be built on. I enjoy walking and that is not possible there. Not as bad as Redlands Mesa but a typical Engh course. If you want some good views play it. If you want to golf try another course.

I've played LCR several times now. I last played it last July with my nephew and we had a wonderful time. It's high on my list of Colorado favorites. It's another Jim Engh designed roller coaster course you need to try. I rank Lakota Canyon Ranch super high on the "fun factor". Some golf purest would criticize the valley fairways and bowl shaped greens as being too forgiving but for the recreational golfer looking for an exciting round with fantastic vistas and lots of elevated tee shots this course is definitely a "must play" for you.

Lakota Canyon Ranch is a mile north of I-70 at exit 105 in New Castle, CO. It's just an hour from Aspen and Vail and about 2.5 hours from Denver.

The course was built in 2004 and has received numerous awards nationally as a top ranked affordable public course. It's normally open from May through October. At 5,500' elevation you'll find warmer summer weather and a longer season than the courses in the Vail and Breckenridge areas.

The front nine is a beautiful and exciting climb up into the mountains just south of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. This nine includes three classic par 5s with seriously elevated tee shots, valley fairways and stadium-style partial bowl greens. Pay close attention to the pin positions and the opportunity to use back stops and side wall bounces when hitting your approach shots to all the Lakota Canyon Ranch greens. The three par 3s on the front nine border on being too tricked up with severe slopes (especially the 9th hole) that you may love or hate depending on the kick and roll you receive on your tee shot.

The back nine is a little more traditional while still showing many signs of Jim Engh's design style. The par 5 18th is Lakota Canyon Ranch's signature hole and it's a classic risk/reward beauty. If you hit a big drive near the end of the first fairway go for the green in two but don't let that shot stray to the right or you're dead. The safer shot is to lay up to the second fairway to your right then hit the shallow green with a good backstop with a lofted iron and one putt for a memorable finishing birdie.
LCR is now part of Warrior Golf and has finally added a nice clubhouse vs. that old thing sitting on the great viewpoint above the 18th green.

You'll long remember your visit to Lakota Canyon Ranch, New Castle and Glenwood Springs. Put it on your list of "Must Do/See/Play".

Stunning views. Great layout but course knowledge is a must on some holes that have "hidden" greens from parts of the tee box and fairways. It is a mountian course that has hitable fairways but challenging shots to the greens. GPS is helpful but could use an upgrade to include the hole layout so you can see where you are going. Great condition and true greens. You will want to play this course again and again!