The Broadmoor East Course — Donald Ross Does Colorado
September 15, 2026
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September 16, 2026Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Introduction
The Broadmoor West Course in Colorado Springs is a classic mountain resort course that plays more difficult than it looks — not because of a punishing design, but because of one maddening phenomenon that the starter warned me about before I even teed off: everything breaks away from the mountain. I shot an 83 from the white tees, hit the ball reasonably well, and spent most of the round questioning my own eyes on the greens. That's the West Course in a nutshell.
The Course:
★★★★☆
The Broadmoor West Course in Colorado Springs is a classic mountain resort course that plays more difficult than it looks — not because of a punishing design, but because of one maddening phenomenon that the starter warned me about before I even teed off: everything breaks away from the mountain. I shot an 83 from the white tees, hit the ball reasonably well, and spent most of the round questioning my own eyes on the greens. That's the West Course in a nutshell.
The West Course is a genuinely playable layout with beautiful mountain views framing virtually every hole. The design isn't tricky — fairways are generous, the routing is straightforward, and the course doesn't manufacture difficulty with gimmicks. What it does have is one of the most disorienting putting surfaces I've encountered anywhere.
The greens break away from the Rockies regardless of what your eyes tell you. Uphill putts play like downhill putts. Firm, confident strokes on what looks like a simple tap-in roll 10 feet past the hole. It's not something you can fully adjust to in a single round — it's a phenomenon you have to experience to understand. Once you accept it, you can manage it. Until then, three-putts happen to good golfers for no apparent reason.
The mountain scenery throughout is spectacular and adds genuine atmosphere to every hole.
The Experience:
★★★★☆
No caddie, which on a course with greens this counterintuitive is a missed opportunity — a local looper who reads putts daily would be worth every dollar here. Pace of play was a solid 4:30. Lunch at the resort was excellent, fully consistent with what The Broadmoor's reputation promises. Service throughout was polished and professional.
Value:
★★★★☆
At approximately $300 for the round, the West Course is priced fairly for a resort of The Broadmoor's caliber. The overall property experience — the setting, the service, the food — adds context that makes the green fee feel like part of a larger package worth having.
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Final Thoughts
The Broadmoor West Course is a beautiful, playable mountain course with one genuinely unique challenge — greens that will humble even experienced putters until they fully surrender to the mountain's logic. Shoot your approach, accept that uphill is downhill, and tap accordingly. Easier said than done.
Bottom line for busy professionals: A worthy addition to any Colorado golf trip. Play it first so you can apply the putting lesson to the East Course.
