There is nothing like golf in the high country! Summit County offers world-class golf open to the public on a daily basis. With 5 courses to choose from, you’re bound to find your new favorite place to play. Come stay at our conveniently located Breckenridge hotel, take advantage of our short season and play today!
At or above 9,000 ft. the air is thin and the ball travels further – over 10% further in fact (feet above sea level x .00116)! The ball also stays straighter due to the air being less dense. The air imparts less force on the ball, therefore it won’t slice or hook as much as it would at sea level. But don’t worry, there are still plenty of challenges that await.
Here in Breckenridge, just 5 miles from the Wedgewood Lodge, we are fortunate to be home to the only 27-hole public Jack Nicklaus designed course in the country, the Breckenridge Golf Club. The Beaver, Bear, and Elk nines all offer some of the best golf in Colorado. With the original Beaver/Bear combination opening in 1987, the Elk nine opened in 2001 to complete the 27 holes. If you are looking for a mountain golf feel, go with the Elk 9 as it has the most elevation changes of the three. Panoramic views of the surrounding mountains are seen from every hole on the course. With water, natural wetlands, dense forest, bunkers and a few classic risk-reward Nicklaus designed holes, Breckenridge has something to challenge golfers of all levels.
Located just 12 miles from our Breckenridge CO hotel, you’ll find the Keystone River Golf Course and Keystone Ranch Golf Course. With each offering its own unique personality, the River Course plays as a true mountain style course while the Ranch has much more of a links design. The first hole of the River Course – the 551yrd par 5 – will remind you that you’re in the mountains when it plunges 100 ft. from the tee box to the fairway. With gorgeous views of Lake Dillon and Buffalo Mountain, make sure to bring your camera for some photo ops. Keystone Ranch is considered a “mountain links” course as the first few holes wind through the pines and then open up to the remaining holes which resemble more of a Scottish links course. Playing in a valley you get wonderful views of the surrounding peaks from every hole. The Ranch is a local favorite, as it is more traditional golf, leaving out the extreme elevation changes.
The Raven at Three Peaks in Silverthorne is consistently ranked as one of the top courses you can play in the state, as well as being one of the top ranked mountain courses in Colorado. The course originally opened in 1986 as Eagle’s Nest, but in 2001 it was re-designed by Tom Lehman, and Hurdzen/Fry, the designers of the Keystone River course, and was renamed The Raven at Three Peaks. The Raven front nine plays off the changes in elevation while sweeping through the original home development on the front nine. Make sure to check out the enormous Osprey Eagle nest that sits atop a large pole on the left side of the third fairway. Keep your eyes open on the front nine as well, as moose are frequently spotted. Though the back nine doesn’t have as many dramatic elevation changes, it has a perfect flow through the mountainous terrain. Enjoy the surrounding 13,000+ft snow-capped peaks throughout your round.
Copper Creek Golf Course at Copper Mountain offers family-friendly golf with expansive views of the 10 Mile Range. The course has a links feel through the front, with a wooded back nine. Copper recently started renting golf bikes to use on the course as well! At a par 69, it’s the shortest of the Summit County courses, but with a number of water hazards and bunkers it will be a challenge for golfers of all abilities. Copper Creek also offers the highest tee-box in North America at 9,863ft. and prides itself on being the most affordable golf in the area.
Local Tips: My personal favorite course is the Beaver/Bear combination at the Breckenridge Golf Club, followed by the Keystone Ranch Course. If you are looking for a deal, checkout GolfNow for “hot deals” at both The Raven at Three Peaks and Copper Creek Golf Course. Additionally, the Breckenridge Golf Club offers “Happy Hour” 9 hole golf rates of $30 walking after 4:30pm. All courses offer Twilight rates which vary in starting time over the summer.
Brad Ragan
Guest Services Manager
bragan@tonti.com
Photo Credits: GoBreck, Keystone Resort, The Raven at Three Peaks, & GolfNow.