Colorado Springs has numerous golf courses ranging from simple publinks tracks to top-notch championship courses.

 Perhaps it's best to start at the top with the Broadmoor Hotel, who will host the 2008 Senior Open. There are three courses to test your skill at the Broadmoor: East, West and the newly remodeled Mountain Course. The East is the longest and most traditional with the Mountain Course being shorter and target-golf style. The West course is in-between these two. In order to play at the Broadmoor, you must stay there.

Since this is a travel guide,  this narrative will forego the private courses and concentrate on resort courses or public courses.

The only other resort course is the Cheyenne Mountain Resort course. This layout winds its way around a lake at the base of Cheyenne Mountain. It has many tight holes and water comes into play on many holes. You must be a guest to play here as well.

The most popular public course is Patty Jewett Municipal Golf Club. Located near downtown, Patty Jewett is the oldest golf club west of the Mississippi and offers three different nine hole courses that are combined differently each week. The Peak and the Plains nines are the original layout, and generally preferred by better golfers. The Prairie Course (also known as the Popcorn Nine because the Jewetts had a popcorn maker located there in the early 1900's) is shortest of the three and slightly less demanding. All three nines offer great views of Pikes Peak and the Front Range of the Rockies. You can call one week in advance and arrange a tee time. Be aware that weekends in the summer fill almost immediately.

Another good test for the low-handicap golfer is Pine Creek. Located north of the city, Pine Creek features a links-style layout with many carries over deep native grasses and ravines.

Fort Carson Golf Club, while located on a military base, is open to the public and is a good test for golfers as well as a bargain ($17 to walk during the week for seniors 55 and older). This course is located at the base of Cheyenne Mountain and is quite scenic. Call to see if there is a tournament scheduled and to see if reservations are being taken. If not, you will have to show up and place your name on a list. Usually the wait is no longer than 15 minutes during the week.

King's Deer is a newer course located about 1/2 hour north of Colorado Springs outside of Mnument Colorado. This links-style course tests golfers with its tight fairways and carries over marsh areas.