The golf coach is teaching a course in Aspen

Whether you’re in Aspen for a relaxing vacation or a business trip, take a break from your itinerary for tee time at one of the award winning golf courses in Aspen! While Aspen is known for being an affluent ski town, Snowmass is also a popular golfing destination. Our little mountain town offers nearly year-round golfing with both private club and public course offers.

What Are the Main Golf Courses in Aspen?

Aspen Golf Club and Maroon Creek Club are the main golf courses in Aspen, Colorado. As one of the only public golf courses near Aspen, the Aspen Golf Course is the most popular place for tourists to golf. The course, designed by Frank Hummel, features undulating greens and water elements at most holes. Maroon Creek Club is a private course, which is where celebrity visitors play and professional golfers train.

When you visit Aspen, you have both public and private golf courses to choose from. Each course offers different terrain, obstacles, and difficulty. Read on to learn which Aspen golf courses you should hit when you’re in town!

The Top 6 Aspen, Colorado Golf Courses

Although Aspen is relatively small, our little mountain town has quite a few golf courses both in Aspen proper and nearby. Of course, you can’t go wrong when you come for a golf trip in Aspen. But 6 courses are widely considered the best golf courses that Aspen has to offer.

1. Aspen Golf Club

Men are playing golf at the Aspen Golf Club

Aspen Golf Club - not to be confused with the private Aspen Glen Golf Club - is a top-ranked municipal golf course that is well-known as one of the best courses in the US. The course is located just a few miles from downtown, making it the perfect destination for a mid-afternoon tee time. Aspen Golf Club is a solid course for golfers of all experience levels; the narrow landing areas, mature trees, water features, and undulating greens offer a challenge for experienced players and a learning opportunity for new players.

The team at ALC recommends that visitors get paired up with a local, who can offer tips for Aspen golfing as well as great company. Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge to schedule your tee time and assist with any gear rental.

2. Maroon Creek Club

Maroon Creek Club is one of the most exclusive clubs in Aspen. Not only can members enjoy access to the 7,110 yard course designed by Tom Fazio, they also get access to the state-of-the-art tennis courts, fitness center, pools, and restaurant. Like Aspen Golf Club, the Maroon Creek course is known for being one of the more challenging golf courses in Aspen. Golfers must constantly adapt to the terrain and correctly judge the distance with each elevation change.

Many part-time Aspenites maintain a membership at Maroon Creek Club as an amenity of their summer home. Due to the exclusive nature of the club, there is an extensive waitlist to become a member. However, if you have not yet given into the siren call of Aspen, CO and invested in a second home here, you can still enjoy the stunning course. The team at Aspen Luxury Concierge has relationships with all the local establishments. When you plan your trip with us, your concierge can get you discovery passes for Aspen’s exclusive clubs.

3. Snowmass Club Golf Course

The professional is training at one of the golf courses in Aspen

The Snowmass Club Golf Course is known for having the best view; every single green gives you almost panoramic views of the mountains. Golfers feel like they stepped into a postcard. Designed by Jim Engh, this sculpted course takes inspiration from Irish-style courses, complete with sprawling greens and a meadow design.

The Snowmass Club doesn’t stop at golf. The exclusive club also has pristine tennis courts, pickleball courts, an inclusive spa, a fully decked out fitness center, and multiple pools. For anyone considering a second home in Aspen, getting a club membership is the must. As for Aspen visitors, Snowmass Club day passes can be procured for you by Aspen Luxury Concierge. Simply contact your concierge to get access to this breathtaking golf course.

4. Roaring Fork Club

Roaring Fork Club is nestled against the Roaring Fork River, making it the perfect destination for sportsmen to tee off in the morning and go fly fishing in Aspen all afternoon. Like Maroon Creek, the Roaring Fork Club is a members-only country club that designates itself as a mountain paradise and getaway for luxury-seeking Aspen residents.

Out of all the golf courses in Aspen, the Roaring Fork course has one of the best views; oriented east to west, golfers get unencumbered sunrise and sunset views. If you look to the north and south during your game, you’ll get a perfect view of the mountains (on clear days). The course is open nearly year-round (weather permitting), so visitors can partake in all the quintessential Aspen activities.

Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge for information about how to secure a guest invitation to play on the Roaring Fork Club course.

5. Ranch at Roaring Fork

The Ranch at Roaring Fork golf course is another public golf course near Aspen. Located in Carbondale, this 9-hole course is ideal for families and beginner golfers. Compared to other Aspen, Colorado golf courses, the terrain is less challenging and there are fewer water features across the course. The Ranch course is also far more reasonably priced than many of the private courses.

Aspen Luxury Concierge recommends the Ranch at Roaring Fork for any visitors who are new to the game of golf. The well-maintained greens are the perfect place for new players to practice their swing, test out their new gear, and fall in love with the sport. Although the Ranch course does not have the same prestige as other nearby courses, it is still a fun place to spend a morning before you and your family continue on with your vacation plans.

6. River Valley Ranch Golf Club

A professional plays golf at the River valley ranch Golf Club

RVR is one of the few public golf courses near Aspen. The course doesn’t have as much fanfare and flair as some of the private courses, but the terrain offers unique challenges to golfers of all levels. Designed by Jay Morrish, this course has the traditional feel of a mountain course with a sprawling layout. There are no gimmicks or tricks; the RVR course intertwines with the Crystal River and utilizes the land’s natural valleys to sculpt the greens.

If you go golfing on a clear day, you’ll get a view of Mount Sopris towering over the course. Aspen locals recommend doing a breakfast ball before your first drive; the first hole is trickier than it looks and visitors often need to adjust to the altitude before they can play their best.

RVR does not accept reservations. Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge for more information about tee times, transportation to Carbondale, and hiring personal golf guides.

Golf Courses Aspen, CO: Tips and Tricks for Golfing at Altitude

The city of Aspen sits 7,908 feet above sea level. Not only does the air feel thicker, the alpine climate means that the air is also quite dry compared to that of sea level cities. Most visitors to Aspen feel just fine, although a little winded, as long as they stay hydrated, eat energy-rich foods, and avoid alcohol on their first day at elevation. However, the altitude doesn’t just affect your body, it will also affect your golf game.

At altitude, a golf ball will go roughly 1.2% farther for every 1,000 feet in elevation gain than it would at sea level. Since Aspen is nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, you can expect a 200 yard carry to fly 220 yards. Before tee off, hit the driving range or do a breakfast ball to get a feel for how far the ball will go.

The elevation will also affect your shot trajectory. At altitude, there is less air density, meaning that the air does not impact the trajectory of the ball as much. Your shots will be straighter with a flatter profile and more rollout. To compensate, hit higher than you normally would and prioritize control.

Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Courses Near Aspen

The ranch at roaring fork seen from above

Is there a dress code for golfing in Aspen, Colorado?

To maintain the character and ambiance of the course, all public and private golf courses in Aspen have a strict dress code. While the dress codes vary by club and course, these are the general guidelines for what visitors should wear when golfing in Aspen:

Golfers must be dressed in golf standard attire with collared shirts.
Turtle necks, tank tops, jerseys, dresses, swimwear, biking attire, jeans, and flip flops are not permitted on the course or in the club house.
Metal spiked shoes are not allowed.
Shorts for both male and female golfers should be around 3 inches above the knee; if a golfer is wearing shorts that are deemed “too short” by the staff, they may be asked to change.
Golf shoes must be worn on the course. Tennis shoes, sneakers, heels, boots, and cycling shoes are now allowed.
All golfers must appear put-together with their shirts tucked in and their garments free of stains or wrinkles.

If you arrive in Aspen and realize that you forgot to pack your golf attire, your concierge will be happy to do a little personal shopping for you. Alternatively, there is some excellent shopping in Aspen, so you could also make an excursion into town to purchase yourself some new clothing items.

Can I rent golfing equipment while I am visiting Aspen?

Yes, many golf courses near Aspen offer gear rental. There are also several sporting goods stores in and around Aspen where you can rent gear for all of your outdoor adventures. Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge for trip planning services and your concierge can make all the arrangements for gear rental.

Are there options for visitors who have never golfed before?

Yes! Golf courses Aspen, CO are open to both old pros, new golfers, and everyone in between. Some courses like Aspen Golf Club offer clinics, private lessons, and group lessons for new golfers. At beginner-friendly courses like the Ranch at Roaring Fork, ALC recommends that you hire a personal golf tutor to help you build the technique required for the perfect swing.

Aspen Luxury Concierge Golf Package Offerings

One of the golf courses to use for courses in Aspen

Visitors come to Aspen to experience luxury and high quality service. When you are on vacation, you should never have to worry about your transportation or reservations. This is where Aspen Luxury Concierge comes in. Our team offers exclusive golf packages for visitors who want to get the most out of their Aspen adventure. Golf packages can be customized to include everything your family needs during your trip. For example, ALC can secure you a day pass to a private club. While you golf, your children can enjoy a day of tennis lessons, then your whole family can dine at the club’s gourmet restaurant.

Aspen Luxury Concierge golf packages can include:

Transportation - Uber isn’t reliable in Aspen, so your concierge will book a private car to transport you around town and to the golf course.
Accommodations - ALC has relationships with both elite hotels and luxury vacation rentals, many of which come with extra services.
Tee Time Reservations - Your concierge will make all the arrangements for your golf game, including getting you access to exclusive courses that are not normally open to the public.
Gear Rental - Your concierge will handle all your gear rental; all you have to do is hit the course.

Time to Tee Off at the Beautiful Golf Courses in Aspen, Colorado!

A vacation isn’t a vacation without a game of golf in the morning. When you come to Aspen, you have so many options for stunning, well-designed golf courses. Whether you are a beginner or an old pro, you’ll fall in love with the sport through the beauty and service of Aspen’s exclusive golf clubs.
Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge for effortless vacation planning and booking services to ensure your perfect round of golf in the stunning courses of Aspen, Colorado!

Golf Courses in Aspen - 5 Award-Winning Courses at Altitude