Grand Elk Golf Course

All my comments need to be qualified because the wind was about 30+ out of the SSW. I’ve never played a course with #1 handicap as #1. Pretty harsh par 5 into a hurricane. Great turf and greens through out. Of course the pace of play was an excellent 3:10 because only idiots play in those wind conditions. It’s vacation, so we’’re playing. Cart GPS, great idea. A little better cart path signage would help. Lots of blind shots and Hail Mary’s. I’d like to play it again. Tough for a bogey golfer. Way more than a 110 slope IMO.

I would not make this my first round of the year. Several blind tee shots and long par 3’s. Tee boxes and fairways are in amazing shape. Greens are quick. Lovely staff and excellent driving range. With stiff wind blowing this course can be a butt kicker.

If you are in the Fraser/Granby area, I would play Pole Creek instead of this course. Pole Creek is cheaper, better design, way more picturesque and in better condition. Grand Elk has small, undulating greens with a mixture of poa annua and bent grasses.

LIKES:

They bring carts to your car.

The clubhouse is beautifully landscaped with vibrant flowers.

Brand new carts. Brown leather seats.

Hole 7 had a nice backdrop.

Had a GPS system.

DISLIKES:

Overpriced. Charging $119. Pole Creek is cheaper and a much better golf course.

Fairways were not in the best condition. Thin and a brownish tint.

When you stand on the 1st tee, you’re just not sure where to hit your tee shot. Poor design.

Hole 3 is the same. Not sure where to hit your tee shot.

So many blind shots. It seemed every time you looked at the GPS, it said this hole has a blind spot.

Holes 10, 11 & 12 are some of worst designed holes you will encounter. Even a GPS system does little for you.

The driving range is small and too close to hole 9. Range balls all over the 9th fairway and I almost got hit.

We saw the cart girl on hole 4 and had not seen her in a while. We finally saw her near the 14th tee. She was off the course serving drinks to people in a condo subdivision!

WILDLIFE:

Colorado ground squirrels everywhere in the rough. They look like small prairie dogs. So many holes, you have to be careful not to sprain an ankle. We actually think one of my balls was lost in one of their holes.

Great course and staff. Back 9 several blind shots made it very challenging. Enjoyed the day.

Great course and staff. A great deal of blind shots on the back 9 along with lengthy par 3s. Definitely a challenging course with spectacular views. Definitely a great deal on Golf Now.

Nice course, well kept, and deceptively open.

Nice staff and bit off the beaten trail, we stayed in Vail. Well worth the drive and time! Do it!

This course is a must play. A short and scenic 90 minute drive from Denver.

I loved the course so much! It had challenges, but was very playable for someone of my skill level (12 hcp). The conditions were excellent, and the weather was perfect. The staff inside the clubhouse could have been a little more friendly, but everyone else was awesome. Two people inside the clubhouse felt the need to remind my friend that he needed a collared shirt, AS HE WAS WEARING ONE! This would not have been a problem if they had done so in a polite and friendly manner.

Course was in great shape. Staff was so friendly. Back 9 a little shorter as you don’t need driver on every hole. In fact I drove 2 par 4 holes.

Would definitely play there again.

First time playing this course and has a great time. The staff was excellent and the course was in good shape considering it's October in the mountains during a drought. The greens were running fast, the ground was beginning to firm up, but still good conditions.

The layout is very fun, challenging but not so hard that you don't enjoy your time. I love links style courses and this is one of the better links courses I've played. The value cannot be beat.