New Castle, Colorado
Jim Engh’s Lakota Links is a bold, dramatic run through wild Colorado canyonland—every stretch brings all-carry heroics, risk-reward adventure, and jaw-dropping views. If you want mountain golf that demands creativity and rewards nerve, this is an essential detour for serious golfers in the region.
Don’t miss the elevated 12th tee box, which offers one of the most jaw-dropping views in all of Colorado mountain golf.
Lakota Links is a course that embraces and dramatizes its setting: every hole carves through wild canyonland shaped by sharp elevation change, Engh’s trademark bowled fairways, and arresting bunker complexes. The design constantly asks for smart placement, precise club selection, and courage on approach—especially with so many forced carries and segmented greens. Even amid the spectacle, Engh consistently provides both heroic and conservative lines, rewarding both punch and restraint depending on your nerves and shotmaking ability.
Jim Engh’s style is unmistakable at Lakota Links, with inventive use of topography and a taste for shaping every hole as a dramatic stage for shotmaking courage.
The longest par 5 and a rolling, epic climb through the canyon, No. 5 demands three well-judged shots up a bowled corridor to a tight, perched green. It’s the round’s definitive power test, with runout risk for the greedy and subtle slopes creating a true three-shot challenge.
Position your tee shot short of the slopes to open up the best angle for the demanding layup—taking on the green in two invites disaster unless you absolutely flush both shots.
Beware of running through fairway bowls and catching severe slopes; errant approaches can tumble down, leaving tough recovery.
Well-conditioned fairways and bentgrass greens with dramatic mountain exposure.
Rounds may run long due to elevation, challenge, and frequent photo stops.
Adventurous, energizing mountain golf with a resort style but open public feel.
Golf casual; standard respectful attire is observed, but no strict enforcement.
Shots fly noticeably farther at 5,500 feet—adjust club selection for both approaches and carries.
Plot your landing zones on every hole to avoid severe slopes and runouts, especially on the par 5s.
Be ready for a hike—dramatic elevation means long walks and uneven stances; carts are included for a reason.
Mountain breezes shift quickly; check the flag direction before every full shot.
Lakota Links opens as a new Jim Engh design.
Ranks No. 5 on Golf Digest’s Best New Public Courses.
Celebrated as a revived mountain public gem after turbulent years.
Lakota Links was praised as a “marvel of engineering” for squeezing 18 bold holes through rugged Colorado canyonland, using the natural terrain for both visual spectacle and challenging play. Jim Engh’s routing weaves through steep elevation changes that make every hole distinct and memorable.
Originally opened as Lakota Canyon Ranch, the course persisted through economic challenge and rebranding to become Lakota Links—honoring both the local landscape and its design heritage. Despite club and management changes, the Lakota name has become a local badge of pride.
Players recount the thrill (and terror) of launching approaches over chasms and into perched, small greens—especially on the par 3s, which are among Colorado’s most intimidating. Every round here guarantees at least a couple of ‘hold-your-breath’ moments you’ll recount for years.
The course was once ranked as high as 5th Best New Public Course in the U.S. by Golf Digest.
Its par 5s are a marathon: three of them stretch well over 550 yards from the back tee.
The site required massive earth-moving to create playable corridors without sacrificing wild mountain character.
No two consecutive holes ever feel alike thanks to the diverse canyon routing.
The course's original 'Lakota Canyon' name still surfaces in local lore and signage.
Strong public mountain links with destination feel, just a scenic drive from Lakota.
Big mountain drama and fun shot variety in the Glenwood Springs area.
Another top public Engh design offering wild desert-mountain holes.
Approachable, classic mountain-valley walk if you want a change of pace.
Glenwood Springs, for best lodging/dining and centralized access.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: Rock Creek Cattle Company is a natural next stop after Lakota Links: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Shepherd's Rock at Nemacolin shares a memorable sense of place, making it a compelling counterpart to Lakota Links.
Why it matches: What links these two? Makes the landscape part of the experience — a familiar feeling, expressed in Sunday River Golf Club's own setting.
A private Colorado adventure in true mountain drama
Dramatic golf perched above Lake Coeur d'Alene
Dramatic public golf among prehistoric fossils
Wind-swept contours and strategic modern drama
Modern private golf where nature leads the way
Northern Michigan’s Secluded, Dramatic Woods Test
Community Sentiment
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