Built From a Trailer
When Bear Dance first opened, golfers checked in at a trailer, not a clubhouse. The permanent clubhouse wasn’t finished until the course had already become a regional hit.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
The Golf Club at Bear Dance
Larkspur, Colorado
Established
2002
Architect
Brian Whitcomb, Corey Aurand, Stuart Bruening, Dennis Hogan
Access
Public
Par
Par 72
Length
5,240 – 7,726 yds
Green Fees
$$
The verdict
Colorado's Scenic Powerhouse
Bear Dance delivers a secluded and bold public championship experience defined by jaw-dropping elevation changes, hulking par fives, and pine-lined corridors that feel a world away from city golf. It's not a national pilgrimage site, but among Colorado public courses, it's simply must-play for any golfer with a sense of adventure.
Course DNA
Difficulty
79
Scenery90
Conditioning82
Shot Variety78
Walkability65
Green Complexity74
Wow Factor76
Design Quality74
Don't miss
Inside the clubhouse, look for the Colorado PGA memorabilia and championship wall honoring the state's golf tradition.
At a glance
Quick facts
Elevation
Over 6,800 feet above sea level
Acreage
753-acre property
Home Course
PGA of America Colorado Section
Practice Facilities
Full range, short-game area, 40+ station range
Course Setting
Secluded pine forest and mountain foothills
Notable Opening
Launched from a trailer before clubhouse built
Slope Rating
Slope 141 (championship tee)
The design
The architecture
Bear Dance is a true mountain-style championship track, routed through pine-forested ridges and valleys with significant elevation changes and isolation between holes. The design team—PGA professionals deeply familiar with the land—emphasized shot value and variety by stretching par fives, providing short and long par threes, and ensuring each hole feels distinct. The use of natural topography, including native grass valleys and oak-studded hills, delivers a rugged yet meticulously manicured experience, with greens and approaches demanding keen distance control in the thin mountain air.
The course is the singular vision of local PGA pros—Whitcomb, Aurand, Bruening, and Hogan—who crafted a modern, original layout to embrace Colorado’s dramatic natural terrain.
Defining features
- No contiguous fairways, maximizing seclusion
- Dramatic elevation changes on tee shots and approaches
- Tree-lined corridors through mature pines and oak
- Sprawling, well-conditioned greens with subtle breaks
- Strategically protected landing zones and doglegs
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 1
The Relentless Opener
PAR
4
YARDAGE
482
The first hole greets you with length and a rumbling backdrop of pines and mountain air, demanding precise placement over sheer power. A misjudged drive leaves a testing approach to an elevated, guarded green.
Play it smart
Play conservatively off the tee for position rather than distance—being in the fairway is key to holding the angled green.
Where it bites
Overly aggressive tee balls flirt with tree trouble and an awkward recovery into the prevailing wind.
Course management
Shots to think about
Facing a long approach on Hole 1
Club up and trust your yardage—the mountain air and elevation deceive.
Second shot on Hole 5 par 5
Resist the urge to advance as far as possible—safe layup sets up a scoring third.
Approaching the sloped green at Hole 9
Take an extra second to map your landing zone; misses right are almost always punished.
Downhill tee shot on Hole 17 par 3
Wind can swirl in the valley—stand behind your club selection and swing with conviction.
Approach into 18 from sidehill lie
Aim your shot to account for slope and run-out; long is dead behind the green.
Facing a tight tee shot between pines
Club down for control and stay committed—accuracy beats distance here.
Fast, breaking putts on mountain greens
Always play extra break—mountain greens tend to exaggerate subtle slopes.
Watch
See it before you play it
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Immaculately maintained fairways and greens, firm and true surfaces.
Pace
Expect slow to moderate rounds, particularly midday or on weekends—soak in the scenery between shots.
Vibe
Quiet, upscale mountain retreat with a polished but welcoming public golf spirit.
Dress code
Collared shirts and appropriate golf attire are expected; as a high-end public facility, Bear Dance maintains upscale standards.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Factor in Altitude
Shots will fly farther at elevation—adjust your club selection accordingly and re-calculate yardages, especially with short irons.
02
Plan for Hill Walks
The mountain terrain means elevation swings and long green-to-tee walks—bring plenty of water and consider a cart unless you relish a hiking challenge.
03
Book Ahead for Prime Times
Popular slots fill quickly, especially on weekends and during high season—lock in your preferred tee time early.
04
Prepare for Variable Weather
Mountain microclimates can change rapidly; pack a rain jacket and a warm layer even in summer.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1999
Construction begins on a previously undeveloped site by Brian Whitcomb, Corey Aurand, Stuart Bruening, and Dennis Hogan
- 2002
Official course opening to the public
- 2003
Permanent clubhouse opens, transitioning operations from temporary facilities
- 2014
Named #1 course along Colorado’s Front Range by club and several regional publications
- 2022
Celebrates 20th anniversary as a premier Colorado public course
Stories & legends
What makes it special
PGA of Colorado Home
Bear Dance serves as headquarters for the Colorado Section of the PGA of America, with memorabilia lining the clubhouse that honors local golf legends and championship history.
Mountain Majesty
Covering over 750 acres, Bear Dance was routed to ensure no fairways touch, each hole threading through ponderosa pines with sweeping mountain backdrops for an unmistakable sense of place.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Bear Dance's name honors local Ute tribal traditions, evoking ritual and celebration.
2
No two fairways at Bear Dance touch, giving a secluded, peaceful round.
3
The course elevation exceeds 6,800 feet—expect the ball to fly 10% farther.
4
Open every month of the year, weather permitting—rare for Colorado mountain golf.
5
Bear Dance launched its first season operating from a humble trailer before the clubhouse was built.
Build the trip
If you're making a Denver/Colorado Springs golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Arrowhead Golf Club
Public/Resort
Iconic red-rock scenery and a high-drama round close to Bear Dance.
CommonGround Golf Course
Public
Colorado's best municipal design, with broad acclaim and fun for all skill levels.
Fossil Trace Golf Club
Public
Unique routing and striking vistas; a perfect pairing with Bear Dance.
Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course
Public
Another elevation-and-visuals-forward test near Castle Rock.
The Country Club at Castle Pines
Private
Elite private option if you have access; storied tournament pedigree.
Castle Rock or South Denver for the quickest access to Bear Dance and other Front Range marquee courses.
Course DNA
If You Like The Golf Club at Bear Dance
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.9
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay
Tower, MinnesotaScenery
Why it matches: The Wilderness at Fortune Bay is a natural next stop after The Golf Club at Bear Dance: it shares a memorable sense of place.
Strong DNA Match8.5
McLemore (The Highlands Course)
Rising Fawn, GeorgiaScenery
Why it matches: McLemore (The Highlands Course) is a natural next stop after The Golf Club at Bear Dance: it shares a memorable sense of place.
Strong DNA Match7.5
Bronze Buffalo Sporting Club at Teton Springs
Victor, IdahoScenery
Why it matches: If The Golf Club at Bear Dance is your kind of course, Bronze Buffalo Sporting Club at Teton Springs is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.
Community Sentiment
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