GOLF OPTIONS 2026

From Aspen to New Castle

Susan Plummer’s ASPEN INTEL insider's guide to Aspen's most exclusive fairways. See next post for MAROON CREEK without a membership:

There's golf, and then there's golf in Aspen. For those who own here — or are looking to — the valley's fairways are part of the appeal: championship courses threaded through the mountains, private clubs where the town's most discreet residents quietly tee off, and a handful of public gems that rival anything in the Rockies. This is a local specialist's guide to all of it — what's public, what's private, what it costs, and the insider routes onto the most exclusive course in the valley. Knowing the territory is part of the lifestyle here. So is knowing who to call.

The Aspen Golf Club with Pyramid Peak and Aspen Highlands. Photo by Susan Plummer from Red Butte.

Aspen Golf Club (Municipal) — Aspen, CO
Aspen's worst-kept secret: a genuine 18-hole championship muni minutes from downtown, where hidden streams and famously fast greens humble locals and visitors alike. Old-school, walkable, and gorgeous — just don't go expecting a hometown discount. (SEE PHOTO, right: the downtown Aspen muni course in the fall , overlooking 2nd hole
Greens fees (June–Sept 2026): $250 general public, $125 twilight (after 4:20 pm); cart & range included. Juniors 17 & under $60. Primary residents with local ID $125.
Senior: Age 62+, primary residents only — $105 (June–Sept), a $20 saving on the local rate; twilight $75. No senior discount on the $250 general-public rate.

Roaring Fork Club — Basalt, CO
A Jack Nicklaus Signature course threaded along both banks of the Roaring Fork River, with a shared double green and a tee shot over live railroad tracks that tip a cap to St. Andrews. At 6,600 ft it rewards members with one of the valley's longer seasons — plus world-class fly fishing for when you've had enough of three-putts.
Private — members & guests only; no public greens fees published.
Senior: None — private club; access is by membership, not age.

Snowmass Club — Snowmass Village, CO
An Arnold Palmer original (later reworked by Jim Engh) tucked beneath Mount Daly, winding through alpine meadows rather than seaside dunes. Excellent conditioning and a tidy par-72 test at altitude. Some call it a links course.
Now a private members' club. Snowmass Village locals may still play, charged at the Aspen Municipal greens-fee rate (cart not included).
Senior: None published; private club. Eligible local play follows the Aspen Municipal rate structure.

Maroon Creek Club — Aspen, CO
A Tom Fazio masterpiece ranked among Colorado's top five courses, tumbling through meadows and creekside terrain with views of two ski areas on nearly every hole. This is where Aspen's most discreet residents quietly tee off.
Private — members & guests only; no public greens fees published.
Senior: None — private club; access is by membership, not age.

Maroon Creek Club, photo by D.C.Gilbert

SEE BELOW FOR PITKIN COUNTY

River Valley Ranch — Carbondale, CO
A Jay Morrish design and a Golf Magazine "Top 10 You Can Play," sitting beneath 12,965-ft Mount Sopris with the Crystal River weaving through four holes. Top-tier public golf, none of the Aspen attitude.
Greens fees (peak season, May 18–Oct 11, 2026): morning $149–184, after noon $114, twilight $74.
Senior: No dedicated senior rate — pricing is time-based. The value plays are twilight ($74) and the "Xtreme" late walk-up ($49).

Ironbridge — Glenwood Springs, CO
The only 18-hole course in Glenwood open to the public, originally Arthur Hills and refined by Tom Lehman — best known for the lung-busting 495-foot climb to the 12th tee and sweeping Mount Sopris views.
Semi-private. Public greens fees around $198 for 18 with cart; lower midweek and at twilight.
Senior: None offered. (Veterans get 25% off with a valid military ID; juniors 15 & under 50% off.)

Image from IRONBRIDGE.com

Aspen Glen Club — Carbondale, CO
A Jack Nicklaus & Nicklaus II signature championship course at the foot of Mount Sopris, freshly reborn through a multimillion-dollar redesign and paired with a sleek new clubhouse.
Private — members & guests only; no public greens fees published.
Senior: None — private club; access is by membership, not age.

Lakota Links — New Castle, CO
Formerly Lakota Canyon Ranch, this James Engh design carves through rugged Western Colorado canyons with elevated tees that drop up to 100 feet to the fairway — and a green fee that's refreshingly down-to-earth. A Golf Digest Top 25 Colorado course and an easy day trip from Aspen.
Greens fees (prime season, May 21–Oct 3, 2026): 18 holes $135 morning / $99 afternoon; twilight $75; cart included. Discounted resident rates for Pitkin, Eagle & Garfield county locals.
Senior: Age 70+ — 20% off all greens fees (prime-season morning 18 drops from $135 to about $108). A Golden Pass season pass (70+) is $3,195 vs the $3,795 Premier.

Ranch at Roaring Fork — Carbondale, CO
The valley's original course (since 1973) and its friendliest: a walkable 9-hole, par-3 layout where water carries and narrow approaches quietly sharpen anyone's short game. No tee times, no carts — just walk up and play.
Greens fees (2026): Adult $29, Junior (under 14) $20, add-on 9 holes $15. Walking only; walk-ups welcome.
Senior: Age 65+ — $25 per round (a $4 saving on the $29 adult rate). Discounted senior season ($625) and punch passes also available.

Rates and senior discounts confirmed June 2026 and subject to seasonal change — always verify directly with the course before publishing or booking.