The Ridge at Castle Pines Golf Club offers a great mountain layout that encompasses the beauty of the surrounding Rockies. Set near the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the golf course features breathtaking views and visual illusions that make it seem narrower than it is. A truly wonderful design by Tom Weiskopf.

The clubhouse is simple yet stylish and offers a great pro shop and a restaurant with outdoor dining. As I approached the clubhouse I was greeted by friendly staff members who took my bag and directed me toward the pro shop. The setting of The Ridge is incredible - pine trees and streams are found here in abundance.

The first hole on the golf course is a long par-4 that measures 471 yards from the back tee. This hole does not play very long as the fairway is far below the teeing area. Many of the holes on this course have dramatic elevation changes. The trees on each side of the fairway make this hole appear very narrow but the fairway is actually pretty wide. You have to avoid a bunker that runs down the right side. After a good tee shot you should be left with a mid-iron into this large green.

Most of the greens at The Ridge are large and very undulating. There are times when you could have a putt of over 80 feet if you hit the ball on the wrong tier. Every good golf course should have a par-4 that gives you a choice of driving the green or laying up. The Ridge has such a hole - the par-4 6th hole. This hole measures only 307 yards from the back tee. Before I even got to this hole I knew that it was going to be uphill. Only the longest and most accurate of hitters will be able to get on this green in one shot.

The green is surrounded by bunkers, trees, and a steep slope. I am not sure if going at this green is the correct play since the shot required has to be very precise. I would recommend just laying up into the fairway and taking your chances at making birdie from the fairway. Resist the temptation to try and drive this green, it is not worth the risk.

The front nine of this golf course is played more like a links-style golf course. There are few trees that line these fairways. The course plays wide open, but Weiskopf has used the natural terrain to make the course appear longer and narrower.

The Ridge takes on a whole different character on the back nine. This side is reminiscent of a typical mountain golf course. The 10th hole is a medium-length par-4 that is lined with huge pine trees on both sides of the fairways. The driver is necessary off this tee because of the length, but be sure to hit the fairway. It is better to miss left as there are mounds that will kick the ball back into the fairway. The approach shot to the green is uphill, so take a little extra club to reach the middle of this green.

This golf course is a par 71 that has three par-3's on the back nine. The par-3 12th is the best of these holes. This long hole, measuring 245 yards from the back tee, is extremely downhill. Although it measures long on the card, I hit a 5-iron from the back tee. This turned out to be a little too much club and the ball rolled to the back of the green. Fortunately for me, this green is very large and wasn't too difficult to hit. There is a bunker on the right-hand side, so you'll want to just take enough club to clear this bunker.

The finishing hole at The Ridge at Castle Pines North is a great hole. This hole is not very long, only 390 yards, but the tee shot is very demanding. I don't think driver is the play here - you will only need a fairway wood to find the fairway. Accuracy is more important than length off this tee. Your tee shot must carry a canyon that is filled with trees and rocks. This is not necessarily a hard shot, but the canyon definitely creeps into your thoughts.

Once you hit the fairway you will be faced with an uphill shot to a narrow green. Take enough club to avoid the bunkers that guard the front of this green. The pin on the right side of the green is much easier to find than when it is on the left.

Castle Pines was in great shape. The greens were rolling very smooth and quick. They had several holes that were cart path-only and several of the holes were extremely wet. Even if you landed you ball in the fairway, you didn't get much roll. This course, like most in Colorado, is at a high altitude and the ball travels farther than it will at sea level. Don't forget to take this into account when you are picking your clubs.

This golf course is a little more expensive than your average Colorado golf course, but it is well worth the money. The course is well-designed, the conditions are fantastic and the staff is very friendly. You will really enjoy your experience at The Ridge.

On July 31, 2007 GolfAdventures.com ran this story on the Ridge at Castle Pines, Denver Colorado. The original photo used was not of Castle Pines, we apologize for the oversight. New photo has been contributed directly through the Ridge at Castle Pines.

Photo supplied by The Ridge at Castle Pines

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