While Steamboat is best known for tree skiing and champagne powder in the winter and outdoor adventures in summer, it also happens to have some of the most scenic golf courses in the Rockies. Better yet, golf balls go farther at higher elevations where the air is thinner, so it might even improve your game. Cruising the course for a day on the green and soaking in the views are (almost) as good as a hole-in-one. Grab your clubs and head to one of Steamboat’s fine area courses.
Rollingstone Ranch Golf Course
Voted “Best Mountain Resort Course” by Colorado AvidGolfer and voted one of the top 100 best golf courses in the country by Fairways magazine, Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort is a must for any serious golfer’s visit to Steamboat. Its renowned 18-hole course, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, features incredible views of the Yampa Valley. Enjoy the calming sound of water bubbling over stones as Fish Creek winds its way through seven of the holes, and watch (from a safe distance, of course) as wildlife meanders through the neighborhood. The championship-caliber course has 70 bunkers and large, undulating bent grass greens that can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels. Don’t miss the Fish Creek Burger and Rollingstone Wraps at the on-site restaurant, Fish Creek Grille. //rollingstoneranchgolf.com
Steamboat Golf Club
If you want a true local experience, The Steamboat Golf Club, founded in 1964, was a community hub long before the town earned its status as a destination resort. The 9-hole course borders the Yampa River and features generous fairways, small target greens and a few infamously challenging shots. Home to both the Steamboat Ladies Golf Association and the Men’s Club, Steamboat Golf Club is family-oriented, affordable, open to the public, and continues to play an integral role in the local community. With a nearby driving range, warm-up cages, chipping green and a course that be completed in around 2 hours, it’s a great way to squeeze a little golf into your day without breaking the bank. //steamboatgolfclub.com.
Haymaker Golf Course
Located in the wide expanses of the valley floor not far from the base of Rabbit Ears Pass, Haymaker’s golf course has one of the most idyllic settings around with 360-degree views of iconic vistas including Mount Warner and the Flat Tops Mountain Range. This 18-hole championship course was designed by Keith Foster and cut from vast ranchland and rock piles. Enjoy a practice driving range with 30 separate hitting areas, a sand bunker and practice green and a 10,000 square-foot practice putting green. Forget about golf; prime wildlife viewing offers glimpses of the elk, eagles and blue heron that often frequent the area. Work up an appetite on the course and then relax with a drink and soak in the views from the Haymaker Grill where floor-to-ceiling windows are the perfect side for a delectable lunch. //haymakergolf.com.