Meadows Golf Club:
A Challenge for All Players

By Diana Rowe Martinez, Senior Writer

Littleton, CO - Nestled in a valley, Littleton's Meadows Golf Course is a welcome surprise for the metro area golfer. Although a part of Foothills Park and Recreation District, don't let that fool you. This is a must-play golf course.

A Dick Phelps designed links-style course, Meadows first opened in May 1984 and offers 6,995 yards from the championship tees and 5,416 yards from the red tees. There are four tee boxes to chose from, with suggestions for each tee corresponding with player handicap.

Its practice facility consists of a grass driving range, large putting green, and separate chipping green with sand bunkers. But mostly this course offers awe-inspiring views, without the crowded fairway and green-lined homes. There are many open areas, offering panoramic views of the mountains, lakes, creeks, grassy areas, and marshland.

A Meadows' round of golf will begin with a par 4, 394 yard, on an elevated tee. Beware slicers, as right of Hole #1's fairway is a ditch and trees. Overachievers may find themselves behind the green and in the lake.

Hole 2's par 4 offers an interesting sharp dogleg left. A lake borders the left side of the fairway, then narrows into a stream that cuts just below the green. Safe shooters drive to the right fairway. For those risk takers, a drive toward the bridge is an easily clearable 250 yards or less to lay up just in front the bridge.

The next tee box is a par 3 over a lake onto a slightly elevated, long green. Bunkers protect this green on both the right and left, so accuracy is a must. Holes 4 and 5 are both doglegs, left par 5 and right par 4 respectively.

• Past Colorado course reviews • Past reviews by Diana Rowe Martinez

Meadows' starter reported to me that his favorite holes were 6 and 16. Driving up to Hole 6's par 4, I could immediately see why. The tee box is reached by walking up stairs to an elevated tee. Beside the stairs is thick grass with signs posted "Rattlesnake Warning," which gives you the urge to jog quickly up the middle of the stairs. But once on top, the spectacular view is well worth the risk. A glimpse of the Rockies and an overview of the golf course remind you why golf in Colorado is so awe-inspiring.

The fairway lays below you slightly to the right. A creek with thick brush runs through the middle at about the 150 stake. Your best bet here is to lay up in front of the creek and then chip over onto the green. Risk takers could take the narrow passage to the far right of the creek, thus avoiding water and brush, but an accurate shot would be a necessity. Anything less would mean a lost ball to the golf gods.

The signature hole, the par-5, 9th, features a severe slope toward Dutch Creek along the entire left side. The tee shot must be well placed to the right side of the slope. Too much right will land you in the out-of-bounds grassy area. Too much left will feed you to the creek.

The fairway is fairly wide for your second shot, once you crest the hill. To go to the elevated green in two, a minimum carry of 200 yards over the creek will be required. Getting too aggressive on this hole and playing too much club are common mistakes made.

The back nine begins with a par 4, 394-yarder. The lake plays to the right of the fairway and bunkers at the 150 marker to the left. The long driver should aim for the bunker for a clear chip shot to the green. Hole 11 is a 188-yard par 3, again with lake in play on the right.

As promised, Hole 16 was an interesting long par 5 at 568 yards. Tee shot is over a meadow and creek onto the fairway. Water borders the fairway on the left. Stay right or middle for your best second shot. The fairway doglegs slightly to the left to a bunker protected green.

The course ends nicely with a par 4. The lake again comes into play on the right side of the tee and fairway. The fairway doglegs right across undulating hills. Bunkers crowd the green on all sides but the front.

Meadows Golf Course Head Professional Randy Meyers said, "Our mission statement is 'Committed to providing a thoroughly enjoyable golf experience. ' " After playing here, I'll wholeheartedly agree. The staff goes out of their way to answer your questions and to make you feel at home. The entire course challenges golfers of all levels.

Meadows was recently nominated as one of the most affordable golf courses in the Denver Metro Area, and at that price, you'll get a better than public golf course play.

Meadows Golf Club
6937 S. Simms St.
Littleton, CO 80127
Phone: (303) 972-8831
Fax: (303) 972-8910

Reservations are made through an automated service at (303) 643-9660. Same day reservations are made with the starter at (303) 972-8831.

Non-Prime Time 18-Hole Fees
County Resident $22.00
Non-Resident $27.00

Prime Time 18 Hole Fees
County Resident $23.00
Non-Resident $29.00

Cart Fees
18 Holes $24.00
9 Holes $12.00

Adult and Junior golf instruction is also available, along with a Junior Golfer Summer Program.