West Woods Golf Club — Local services in Arvada

The 27-hole course (Dick Phelps design) has a few signature holes (basically middle part of the Silo 9, and couple on Sleeping Indian), but other than that its OK. It's subject to the crowded and imprudent design of Colorado's 1980s/1990's-built golf courses that are encircled by and weave through housing developments. These courses weren't built for the modern game and are becoming more dated with their shortness and aesthetics, e.g. Coal Creek (Dick Phelps), Legacy Ridge (Arthur Hills). I'm sure its not a Colorado phenomenon, but with the growth in the state during that time, there is not a shortage of them.

In the case of West Woods, the housing itself isn't the sole culprit for the crowded feeling. Its suffers from the hole layout and design itself with poor sight-lines and off placed water hazards, bunkers and the like (e.g. #2, #5, #9 on Cottonwood 9; #1, #3, #8 on Silo; Sleeping Indian is decent design wise). Similar to many holes on nearby Phelps' Coal Creek, the holes themselves lean on being gimmicky, and again ill-conceived.

If the holes were lengthier it would help space the course out. Does distance really matter that much? Yeah, it kind of does for the above average player who hits it 285+ (which is not uncommon at elevation in Colorado). It becomes a long iron fest off the tee, which isn't that enjoyable for a whole 18.

That being said, I know the length at West Woods holds up for seniors and I'm sure a lot of average play. Regarding the amount of senior play there, they stopped sending people on the back 9 of the 18 of the day because first off the gun seniors in the morning blow through the 18 in 1.5 to 2.5 hours. A retiree who plays there nearly every day also told me there's spats on who can get the first tee time. The retiree folk definitely run this joint.

On a final note, to each their own. There are various levels of golf course tiers and these 1980s/1990s courses fill some need in the golf spectrum. But, don't let the scarcity of tee times fool you. Some cool holes (Silo), some good views, but overrated and not enjoyable for...

Too expensive for what it is, but could be great if the management would change the following things: replace the sand with nice sand, it’s trash and it’s embarrassing. stop putting the pins in the middle of a ridge or on the worst slope, spend time making the greens faster if you want it to be harder/better. It feels like the greens keeper got in a fight with his girlfriend before work and wants to take it out on everyone else. put the ball washers back on the course, seriously what course doesn’t have this?? Really the carts should have the ball/club washer with a cooler on the other side. get carts with gps and range finders, this is a standard now, get with the times. the restaurant needs to stop their stupid policy of opening drinks before you go out on the course. They tell you it’s some liquor law but they’re the only course in the state that does this. Want a flat, warm beer by hole 3, this is the place for you. restaurant has had the same menu since I worked there in 2012. There are 4-5 restaurant managers for some inexplicable reason, you think they’d provide some input on the menu.

If you want to charge $105/round, fine, but get it together and make your course worth it, it’s so close to being the amazing course it should be.

I grew up on the course, still live in the neighborhood, had my first job at west woods, have played it more than 100 times over the last 20 years. I used to consider it my home course; now I drive further away to play Legacy Ridge, Indian Peaks, Colorado National, or Fossil Trace because they’re just better value...

Extremely rude and unwelcoming experience at West Woods. I stopped in with my son to play a quick 9 holes. The course showed wide open times on a slow afternoon. One staff member was friendly and she began to offer many available tee times, but another older man in the pro shop repeatedly interrupted to say that actually, those times were full. It quickly became obvious he simply didn’t want us out there.

The contrast in attitude between the two employees said everything. Instead of welcoming new players and families, this course made us feel like an absolute inconvenience. It’s disappointing that a COMMUNITY course in Arvada would treat anyone — especially a kid who was truly looking forward to being there with such dismissive and uninviting behavior.

There are plenty of great courses nearby that actually appreciate golfers and their families. Sadly, West Woods isn’t one of them. Unfortunately this is not my first negative experience with the pro shop staff, but it will certainly be my last. Shout out to the old guy in the pro shop who works at a golf course but somehow finds a way to be miserable! I'll spend my...