The South Forty Golf Course and Driving Range, Cortez, CO

Talking about the Southforty Golf Courst, in Cortez, Co:
This is the prettiest,best maintained and challenging nine hole course I've ever seen. I'd be willing to bet that NO amateur and very few professionals could par this course the first time out.
Jerry Lasher

The South Forty Golf Course and Driving Range in Cortez, Colorado is a challenging 9-Hole Country Course with reasonable rates open dawn to dusk all year.

Warm up at the driving range. The Driving Range faces Sleeping Ute Mountain. Get your golf balls from the Self Service Machine for only $2 for 30 balls. Hit off grass or one of the driving mats.

Only $10 for nine holes, and for local players the $225 for a season pass is a great deal. Sign the log and put your payment through the pay slot if there is no attendant.

Hole No. 1 is 222 yards from the back tee to a small green. Watch out for thick rough on the left and out of bounds on the right. The natural terrain here is sage brush plain with some cottonwood trees. In the creek areas the brush is so thick that you'll have to really want your ball to venture in there. There are three tee choices on No. 1.

Hole No. 2 is the longest hole on the course, 238 yards across the sagebrush rough on the right. Unless you’re a big and accurate hitter it's safer to hit straight ahead. Missing long will put you in sagebrush also.

The green to the left is No. 3. Don't be confused. There are three tee boxes on No. 2. When you get to the green, take a moment to gaze back to the east at the LaPlata Mountains, Mt. Hesperus the tallest of the group.

No. 3 is a short 137 yards to a relatively large green. There is a long pond to hit over. Mesa Verde looms in the background.

No. 4 is probably the hardest hole on the course. The green is hidden by the tall cottonwood trees and the creek in front of the green calls for a long carry off the tee. The back tee is at 195 yards with two shorter tees to the right that give a different angle. I try to aim between the trees and hope for some slice back toward the green. There is a bowl behind the green that will catch a long shot.

The creek curves further away from the tee to the right, so if you miss right you will have to hit further to get across. There is a layup area to the right before the creek, but the area is small and not that easy to hit.

No. 5 is 172 yards and the fairway is wide. The creek is close to the three tee boxes and should be easy to clear. Enjoy the view of Sleeping Ute Mountain to the west.

Hole No. 6 is 175 yards from the elevated tee. There is a choice of four tees on No. 6. You have to get the ball in the air to carry the creek but the landing area is very wide.

No. 7 is 175 yards from the back tee. There is danger on the left as the creek has a very steep bank and there is not much room behind the sloping back to front green. Three tee boxes are in play on No. 7.

While playing No. 7 admire the view up towards Mesa Verde National Park. If you are a visitor to the area, be sure to visit the fabulous cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo People.

No. 8 is 162 yards from the farthest tee. If you miss left your ball is lost. There is desert rough on the right. If the green is hard your shot will bounce over the back. Get the ball in the air or you'll catch the creek in front of the three tee boxes.

No. 9 is the second shortest hole at 138 yards from the back tee. Watch out for the pit bunker on the right. If you’ve had a good round play again. It's a beautiful day for golf. Let's play 18.