Fossil Trace Golf Club

Golden, CO

website: fossiltrace.com

• Playability: ⛳️⛳️⛳️
• Difficulty: ⛳️⛳️⛳️
• Views: ⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️
• Course Conditions: ⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️
• Value: ⛳️⛳️
• Facility: ⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️

Golden is widely known throughout the state as one of the premiere tourist stops around the metro area. There’s plenty to see and do in Golden, between wandering around Colorado School of Mines campus, grabbing a bite to eat at one of the various restaurants on mainstreet, or touring the massive Coors Brewing facility (free Coors lattes are always a plus). What people forget to realize is Golden is also home to one of the most scenic golf courses in the entire Denver metro area, Fossil Trace Golf Club. This 2003 Jim Engh design has earned it’s spot as one of the premiere golf stops when visiting the centennial state.

Starting off in the playability category, we decided to give Fossil Trace a modest 3 flag rating. We have reviewed quite a few Jim Engh courses recently and thrown a lot of shade his way in the process, but we truly believe this is one of his better designed we’ve played. It does have it’s quirks, such as massive undulating greens, frequent elevation changes, and massive bunkers frivolously placed throughout the property. Oh yeah, did we mention the three MASSIVE BOULDERS sitting in the middle of the 12th fairway, or the random chimney in fairway of the 1st? We are not even sure if they’re boulders or just piles of old dinosaur bones, but we can say with confidence that we are not a fan of them. While there is a handful of micky mouse holes out there, there’s also quite a few quality holes that will challenge even the best players. One word of advice we will give is to try and avoid short siding yourself around the greens out here. Missing in the wrong spot around the greens can make for a very long day.

Many Jim Engh designs are generally not known for their difficulty, and that seems to hold true with this layout. The majority of the fairways at Fossil Trace are roughly a football field wide, and quite a few greens are surrounded by steep slopes that are sure to kick your arrant approach shot back onto the putting surface. Having said that, there are a few holes that will test your distance control and shot making ability. in the end, we decided on another three flag rating in the toughness category.

The views at Fossil Trace are really what make this course a must play while you’re in the area. Located right at the base of the foothills just south of downtown Golden, there really is not a bad view on the entire property. There’s also a few historic landmarks scattered through the course, such as an old chimney still intact from the 1940’s in the middle of the first fairway and the remains of an abandoned mine scattered through the back nine. Overall it is a very unique piece of property and gets a 4 flag rating from us.

Another plus at Fossil Trace is the course is always very well manicured and in tip top shape. The fairways and collared are very tightly mown, and the rough is lush and thick (Spencer knows all too well). The bunkers can play a bit firm, but that is more personal preference than anything in our minds. The greens are generally receptive but also very fast which is a great combo in our opinion. The conditions out here earn a well deserved 5 flag rating.

The facilities out at Fossil Trace are above average in our opinion and earn a modest 4 flag rating from us. The driving range is fairly decent sized and has plenty of different targets to aim at. The practice putting green is massive and has roughly 50 feet in elevation change which is pretty much on par for this course (pardon the pun). The clubhouse is well designed and offers great views of the 10th and 18th holes.

In our opinion, the overall value out at Fossil is the biggest drawback to this golf course. You can end up spending $145 a person out here for a weekend morning tee time and that feels slightly overpriced to us. If you’re looking for a more reasonably priced round out here, weekday and twilight times are definitely a good way to go here. On top of that, the liquor prices are reminiscent of Coors Field, which threw us for a bit of a loop. A six pack of seltzers here will set you back close to $40, which is double the price of a similar six pack out at the Valley of Fun *insert shameless plug here*.

All in all, Fossil Trace is a great golf experience and definitely belongs on your list of must play courses when you’re in the area. Pack your pocket book and a few extra beers in your bag (for economic reasons) and get out there for a truly unique round of golf.