I’ve always said golf is a game of adaptation—and never has that been truer than on my recent trip from the sweat-soaked fairways of Florida to the cool, thin air of the Colorado Rockies. Let’s just say, if Florida golf teaches you mental toughness, Colorado golf teaches you to recalibrate everything you thought you knew… especially your club distances.
On a June day I’ll never forget, I hit a 7-iron 244 yards. No, that’s not a typo. Thankfully, I had witnesses. Apparently, playing at 6,000+ feet above sea level can add about 10% distance to your shots—but that number feels conservative once you’ve experienced golf at elevation. My personal average increased? Somewhere between “wow” and “what just happened?”
Lakota Links: Elevation, Adventure, and One Wild Ride
Our first stop was Lakota Links, formerly Lakota Canyon Ranch Golf Club, tucked away in the town of New Castle, Colorado. Designed by the ever-imaginative Jim Engh, Lakota Links is a bold, dramatic 18-hole layout carved into rugged red rock canyons and highland desert terrain.
From the moment you tee off on hole one—a breathtaking downhill par 5—you’re in for a ride. Playing from the blues (6,274 yards, 133 slope), the elevation changes are frequent, massive, and exhilarating. My Apple Watch showed a 144-foot drop from tee to fairway on the opening hole alone. That kind of vertical movement continues throughout the round and adds a unique, alpine rollercoaster feel to the entire experience.
Don’t let the serene setting fool you—this is mountain golf with teeth. Shot selection becomes a mental exercise in risk versus reward. With punchbowl greens, sloped lies, and barely a flat stance in sight, you’ll quickly realize that remembering how ball flight changes above and below your feet is just as important as club choice.
Highlights? Too many to name—but hole 5, a par 5 that yielded a birdie for me, was a favorite. And hole 18? A stunner. If I’d known where the green was hidden behind a deep canyon, I might have gone for it in two. As it was, crossing that canyon three times on the way to a par felt like conquering a mini expedition.
Lakota Links isn’t just a golf course—it’s an experience. Between the sweeping views, strategic design, and the sheer sense of adventure, it’s one of the most memorable rounds I’ve ever played. Fair warning: this course will leave you with stories, sore legs, and a deep desire to come back.
Battlement Mesa: Where the Desert Meets Golf Perfection
A short drive west brings you to another high desert gem—Battlement Mesa Golf Club, near Rifle, Colorado. This lesser-known public course opened in 1987 and immediately feels like a timeless classic. Don’t let the word “public” fool you—this course is as pristine and well-maintained as many high-end private clubs.
Let’s give credit where it’s due: Head pro Mary is a local legend. Her course tips were priceless—though we foolishly ignored most of them. Her best piece of advice? “Everything breaks toward the road.” She was right. Trust her. And grab a course guide—this is not a place to just wing it.
Battlement Mesa offers four sets of tees, topping out at 7,210 yards (Black). The front nine meanders through tree-lined fairways, with holes 5 through 7—aptly named “The Gauntlet”—offering some of the toughest and most rewarding challenges on the course. Hole 8, a sneaky little par 3 over water, reminded me that even short holes can bite back.
The back nine was pure joy, even with a stiff wind in our face most of the way. Hole 15, a 432-yard brute into the wind, played like a monster and earned its #2 stroke index. But my favorite was 18—aim at the tree by the water with a gentle draw, and you’re rewarded with a scenic approach into a sprawling, sloped green.
One standout feature here: the greens are massive. You might hit more GIRs than usual, but don’t be surprised if you’re putting from 60+ feet with three breaks. Precision putting is the name of the game.
The Final Score
If your summer golf travel plans include escaping the Florida furnace, make your way to Colorado’s Western Slope. Lakota Links offers alpine golf at its most thrilling, while Battlement Mesa delivers classic desert golf with exceptional hospitality and sneaky challenges.
Both courses are off the beaten path. They’re not splashed across travel brochures or overrun with tourists—and that’s what makes them special. These aren’t just rounds of golf; they’re stories in the making. And yes, your 7-iron might never go that far again—but you’ll never stop talking about the time it did.