Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
The Takeaway: Though it was also designed by Jack Nicklaus, the Country Club at Castle Pines isn't in the same league as its nearby neighbor with a similar name; Castle Pines Golf Club. However, there is plenty of memorability with massive elevation changes and creative greens. Grade B
Quick Facts
Designer: Jack Nicklaus 1986
Cost: Private
Phone Number: 303-688-7400
Course Website: Official Website - Visit The Country Club at Castle Pines's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 6400 Country Club Drive, Castle Rock, Colorado 80108 – UNITED STATES
Photos: See additional photos of The Country Club at Castle Pines
What to Expect: Located at the summit of the mountain above the setting for the famed Castle Pines Golf Club, the unrelated Country Club at Castle Pines is also a Jack Nicklaus design but was installed five years after its highly regarded neighbor. The course features huge elevation changes with numerous downhill tee shots and one of the most demanding, if not unfair, uphill approach shots I've seen on a course coming at the 9th. While Jack seemed to get most creative with his greensites after working with Tom Doak at Sebonack, the greens here are highly engaging with great variety and interest. Of the various pars, it is the two-shotters that deliver the greatest variety of lengths and shapes as they stand out particularly strongly on this "cart ball" course where player engagement is always present. The holes are framed by a plethora of evergreen plants and trees that deliver a consistent look throughout the season and are anxious to penalize you when your ball leaves the fairway. Both nines move in a counter-clockwise direction as it works through a housing development, but it is rare that any house comes into play, or view, throughout the round. Ultimately, The Country Club at Castle Pines may not be the best golf course in the neighborhood, but there are plenty of entertaining shots to hit and design features to enjoy while playing here.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bear | 72 | 7377 | 75.2 | 151 |
| 1 Pine | 72 | 7128 | 73.6 | 150 |
| 2 Pine | 72 | 6676 | 71.6 | 136 |
| 3 Pine | 72 | 6130 | 68.9 | 126 |
| 4 Pine | 72 | 5619 | 67.0 | 121 |
| 5 Pine | 72 | 5297 | 66.2 | 119 |
| 5 Pine (Ladies) | 72 | 5297 | 71.0 | 132 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 14th Hole – 198 Yard Par 4 – Playing due south and tipping out just under 200 yards, the 14th plays over water to one of the most uniquely shaped greens on the course. The putting surface slithers between a trio of bunkers with the green running away and to the right from the player before finishing at a bulbous area where popular pin locations can be found. This is a typical high-fade Jack Nicklaus designed hole where there certainly appears to be more trouble than safety when attacking it.
Best Par 3: 12th Hole – 168 Yards – The sloping front edge is the predominant feature at the short 12th and should act as a clear reminder to take enough club to find the center of the green. A lone bunker is positioned on the right side of the putting surface while the back left of the green is tucked into a bowl with long grass gracing the faces. Splitting the pine trees will be necessary for success while the mountain backdrop is easy on the eyes.
Best Par 4: 10th Hole – 431 Yards – There are plenty of dramatic elevation changes at The Country Club at Castle Pines, but none may be more alluring then the start to the back nine. With nearly 200 feet in elevation drop from tee to green, prepare to watch your tee shot hang in the air for a small eternity to the bunkerless fairway below. The fairway bends to the left with trees framing the way before arriving at a green fronted by rough and featuring some strong movement as defense to counteract the lack of sand.
Best Par 5: 5th Hole – 657 Yards – The 5th is a lengthy double dogleg par five with a prominent feature; a grove of pine trees in the middle of the fairway. Players going left of the grove will technically have a shorter distance to the green but would have to hit a massively towering 3-wood over a wall of trees to a blind green. Players hitting to the right will have a clean look for their second shot and should position themselves again on the right side since a second grove of trees pinches in from the left in front of the green. The bunkerless green features a raised putting surface with the edges sloping off in every direction in a very Pinehurst No. 2 fashion. It is an incredibly unique and fun hole to play.
Birdie Time: 17th Hole – 138 Yard Par 3 – Tipping out at a dainty 138 yards, the 17th is your chance to take dead aim at the day's pin location. The unusually shaped green offers a plethora of hole locations that can bring variety to playing the hole, but wherever it is, this is an opportunity to knock one close. As an extra benefit, rather than a large sand bunker in front, there is instead a grass bunker that is easier to recover from.
Bogey Beware: 9th Hole – 380 Yard Par 4 – This is the hole that everyone will talk about at The Country Club of Castle Pines. In fact, one has to truly wonder what Jack was thinking when his stamp of approval went on this confounding hole. The tee shot is attractive with a stone mountain backdrop dotted with trees while needing to thread additional trees with your driver. The approach shot is where things get crazy with a 60' ascension from the fairway to the putting surface where greens in regulation are thwarted at a blistering pace. A bunker fronts the green while a bit of room is afforded behind it and will prevent your ball from finding a worse destination, but will commonly eliminate par as well. It is one of the most penal approach shots I've seen anywhere.
