Red Hawk Ridge - Colorado - USA

I think before the real estate boom that took place in Castle Rock, this would have been one of the most scenic courses in Colorado. That's not the reality now, however, as many of the scenic overlooks here are now framed by houses, buildings, or I-25. The one thing about Red Hawk along that same line of thought that's unfortunate is the course's routing through a residential community. The natural ambiance gets diminished as a result, and unlike other great public courses nearby like Bear Dance, Arrowhead, and The Ridge at Castle Pines (Back 9), you never feel like it's just you and the golf course. Now that the negatives are out of the way, the biggest positive I have to say about RHR is the skillful routing. Great use of terrain in that you go each and every different way. Uphill and to the left, downhill and to the right, etc. Nice variety of hazards too between heather, water, bunkers, and some desert bushes. A fun golf course all-around that'll test each part of your game.