Haymaker: Golf in the Heart of the Rockies

Set on 233 acres in the lush, green Yampa Valley, Haymaker Golf Course opened in 1997 and remains one of the state’s best public courses...

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Haymaker Golf Course Strikes a Balance

Golf is proving to be a hit for everyone on vacation in Steamboat Springs.

The faint sound of giggles can be heard from the practice range at the Haymaker Golf Course in Steamboat Springs, Colorado where a gathering of middle school age girls are hitting iron shots, while balanced on one leg. The crew of new golfers is learning the importance of balance in golf, observed by a foursome visiting from Austin, Texas, who just completed their round.

“That’s awesome to see all these girls out there having a blast,” says Joe Kounousky, a six-handicapper, who declares he will share what he has seen with his club back home. Haymaker, which celebrated its 20-year anniversary last summer, has garnered a reputation for its welcoming ambience and challenging course.

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Golfers of all ages and abilities benefit from the option of four tees per hole. The 18-hole links-style course, designed by Keith Foster, is not your average municipal facility. Consistently ranked as one of the top courses in Colorado, golfers play on wide-open fairways flanked by native grasses and wetlands, beneath the backdrop of the iconic Mount Werner. This is Rocky Mountain golf at its finest.

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Built on historic ranchlands, the 7,308-yard track doubles as the home to elk, eagles and blue herons, which in part earned Haymaker an International Audubon Bronze Certificate – an honor, the grounds crew fastidiously upholds.

New head professional Cody Hasten is enjoying his inaugural season. The PGA Professional, who hails from the Denver, is hoping more visitors will travel to the secluded mountain town with golf on their agenda.

“I had no idea how much great golf there is in Steamboat until I started playing Haymaker during junior golf events. It was my introduction to being in Steamboat Springs during the summer and I fell in love,” Cody says. “Between the sheer beauty of the valley, countless activities, friendly culture and of course great golf, it is hard for anybody not to fall in love with this place.”

Golfers have the option to walk, ride in one of the courses’ new fleet of carts or cruise on the increasingly popular golf bikes. Players traveling without clubs can rent a set of the latest from Callaway, and juniors under 12 can rent clubs and play for free, with a paying adult. A variety of instructional clinics and private lessons are offered at the full-service practice range, allowing residents and visitors to fine-tune skills or learn the game from scratch.

Like seasoned pros, the girls are lured to the Clubhouse for après golf refreshments, as their lesson comes to an end. With its wrap around porch, the Haymaker Patio Grill offers indoor and outdoor seating, popular happy hours, and themed dinners including Prime Rib & Double ‘Boat Burger Night. The wide open setting rewards golfers with a panoramic view of the jewel in Steamboat’s golfing crown.


Call (970) 870-1846 or Visit HaymakerGolf.com for Tee Times!


Can’t-Miss Steamboat Springs Events – Plan Accordingly!


Summer in Steamboat Springs means a full calendar of events, so make sure to plan your Haymaker golf trip around them!

  • 115th Annual Cowboys’ Roundup Days The 37th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo & Glow (July 14-15)
  • Wild West Air Fest (Sept. 1); 10th annual Steamboat Stage Bike Race (Sept. 1-3); and Steamboat OktoberWest (Sept. 15)
  • Friday and Saturday nights bring the Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo series to the Brent Romick Rodeo Arena (June 15-Aug.11)
  • Every night’s a party at Schmiggity’s Live Music Dance Bar, where great music plus great drinks equals a great time. Half-priced drinks from 7-9 p.m. schmiggitys.com

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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