Cotton Ranch Club - Golf Course Review

Cotton Ranch Club - Course Review

May 23rd, 2008 by mulligan

Overview

Positioned about 25-30 minutes west of Vail, sits yet another Pete Dye designed 18 hole championship golf course. The semi-private Cotton Ranch Club Golf Course, located in the town of Gypsum, boasts “the longest golf season in the Vail valley”. The natural beauty found in and directly around the course is enhanced even further by the generous views of two mountain ranges (Red Table, and New York) and one prominent Castle Peak.

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The course offers a full driving range (although at altitude you might find that driver is a bit long for it) as well as a chipping and putting surface. As you might expect, being a country club, there is a full service clubhouse which is also quite large and a full wrap around deck which allows you to view the 18th green. If you manage to ignore the surrounding scenery for the first few holes, don’t worry, it will all catch up with you on the extremely elevated Par 3 number 8!

Playability

At 6,320 feet in elevation, the 6,980 yard Cotton Ranch has the opportunity to play a bit shorter than the scorecard reads. There are however a number of relatively flat holes which tend to even things out a bit. I think we get a bit accustomed to elevated tee boxes being the norm when we think of “mountain” golf, and while Cotton Ranch doesn’t disappoint, thankfully it doesn’t go overboard. With one exception! The aforementioned number 8 Par 3! Be sure and look for it in the Gallery. This is one hole that shouldn’t be missed. The card reads 164 from the tips. All I know is that I flew that with a 9 Iron and I’m not a huge hitter! I think the purists of the game might consider this a bit “Mickey Mouse” but for the rest of us I consider it quite fun from time to time. I’ll admit though I don’t really like holes like that in my game because let’s face it, they are tough to judge.

Having played the course in what I would consider the early season (late May) I was quite pleased with the overall condition of the fairways and greens. The sand wasn’t great, but it was fair which is about what I’ve come to expect for Colorado golf! I also felt that every hole definitely felt different. Whether it be the long climb (don’t even consider walking this course) from number 4 to 5 which takes you through the more rugged terrain portion of the course (5-8) or the “wide open” space of holes 14-16. The greens seemed to moderate from undulating to relatively little slope, but you have to pay attention to Gypsum Creek which meanders through the layout.

Conclusion

I would say that this course is worth it for two reasons. The incredible views, and the fun of number 8. It also feels like a journey at times punctuated by the fact that you get to hit the ball a mile in the thin mountain air. Typically the course runs $45-$85 depending on when you play. I would consider this a good deal regardless. It’s definitely a place with a personality all it’s own.