COURSE REVIEW
Lake Arbor Golf Club
TravelGolf.com Staff Writer
ARVADA, CO - Lake Arbor Golf Course is one of those city courses
that have been around forever, and it just happens to be one of
the first courses I learned to play on. Lake Arbor opened way
back in 1973, and three years ago, a new clubhouse facility opened.
Lake Arbor G.C. is located at the busy crossroads of 86th and
Wadsworth where Arvada and Westminster meet and is a city managed
course without too many surprises.
The par-70, 5,841 yard round offers some challenges, but for the most part, this is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get course. Trouble can be found at the handful of water holes, in the trees that edge the fairways, and with drives that border some of the main roads, such as Wadsworth. For the most part you'll find par 4's in the 300-yard range, an excellent opportunity to work on the other, less frequently used clubs in your bag.
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A straightforward par 4 is up next, followed by Hole 4, the most difficult of the six par-3's at Lake Arbor. A bunker placed on the left side of the green in the front, as well as the back, makes a left pin placement on that left side a difficult par. Hole 5's straight 488-yard par 5 is a reachable second shot for most players. Obstacles are trees on the right and out of bounds on the left.
Hole 6 is a doable par 3 at 153 yards, with out of bounds on the right of the green. A middle green shot is a perfect set up for a birdie.
A 351-yard par 4 might seem straightforward, but Hole 7's sharp right dogleg will require an iron shot off of the tee leaving about 150 yards to the green. The second shot is over a pond that guards the green and serves as suction to short shots.
The finishing hole is a straight par 4, only 345 yards, and a birdie waiting to happen. The only deterrent is out-of-bounds street on the right.
A good drive at Hole 10 gives the player the chance to hit the
green in two shots. It plays about 485 yards, but don't get too
cocky. Although the green is fairly deep and narrow, water edges
the front of the green, so a short shot is a wet shot.
Hole 12 finally gives you a little variety. A slight dogleg right with out of bounds on both sides will require a tight shot off the tee box for this 375-yard par 4. Even with a good tee shot, a missed green shot to the left will put you out of bounds, so keep your "golf head" about you on this hole.
The longest par 4 is hole 16 at 420 yards and playing slightly uphill. A well placed bunker guards the front middle portion of the green making the second challenging for most. Par here is a decent score.
The finishing hole at 18 is interesting to say the least. This par 3, 172 yarder has the out of bounds as the busy Wadsworth Boulevard on the left, quite the distraction coming off the tee box. Your tee shot is off an elevated tee downhill, Wadsworth on one side and apartment buildings on the right--left OB does come into play.
Lake Arbor Golf Club will not give you a resort course feeling.
However, a round of golf here is much less expensive than resorts
and offers a challenging course to those beginner golfers. With
its flat terrain, Lake Arbor is perfect for those that prefer
walking an easy 18 without the strenuous, uphill climbs on some
of the other courses in town. Plus, it is convenient for residents
on the north side of Denver. Tee times are taken five days in
advance.
With a rating of 66.5 and slope of 109, Lake Arbor is not one of the toughest courses in town, but, in my humble opinion, all golf games and golf courses will give you a run for your money. And hey, what's the alternative? No golf at all? I don't think so.
Lake Arbor Golf Club
8600 Wadsworth Blvd
Arvada, CO 80003
Phone: 303-423-1643
www.lakearborgolf.com
