Revisit:Forrest Richardson's Hideout across the Colorado from Butch and Sundance

[Garland Bayley]

Hmph.
Typical Huckaby answer. Tom, have you been a lawyer too long?
 

[Tom Huckaby]

Garland:

I'm not a lawyer NOW nor have I ever been, and I have never been so insulted.

 

The truth is the data exists to do this, but it's not published.  I guess I could have given a simple "no", but wouldn't you have asked "why not?"

TH

[Matt_Ward]

Forrest:

I really enjoyed my time at The Hideout -- I only wish more people could play the course because for all the gushing about Tallgrass -- The Hideout is a good bit more polished and challenging.

I do agree with you in regards to the nature of the property and the demands that come with it. As I opined previously, the 4th and 16th are twosuperb par-4 holes. Plenty of options and both are quite fun to play.

One other thing -- it's possible to mix a few new tee boxes into the equation -- for example one could play the 14th hole from the top part where the 12th hole is played now. It's a great view from on top and it does add a few more yards into the mixture.

The Hideout does offer a good deal -- but exposure is the key to it being even more fully appreciated.

[Garland Bayley]

...-- it's possible to mix a few new tee boxes into the equation -- for example one could play the 14th hole from the top part where the 12th hole is played now. It's a great view from on top and it does add a few more yards into the mixture.

The Hideout does offer a good deal -- but exposure is the key to it being even more fully appreciated.

What Matt meant to say is to play the 14th from the 11th tees. Unfortunately, I suspect this doesn't make the hole any better, just longer. I suspect it may take away the risk reward option of working the ball around the corner of the dogleg.

I suspect moving the course to Grand Junction, CO would be the only way to bring it the exposure Matt refers to. I suspect there is not enough golf nearby nor is there enough nightlife to attract the likes of Bill McBride. Me, I worked it in on my visit to Canyonlands NP and my travels of America's greatest highway, US 191.

[Forrest Richardson]

Playing 14 from the upper tees (at 11) was a design feature that we planned on all of our routings. It is only known to locals. Since it requires a walk, few take the time or effort. It makes the 14th better for one primary reason: It allows the golfer to see around the dog-leg, thus having even more temptation to cut the edge along the left.

As for moving The Hideout to Grand Junction...what makes the course special (my view) is that it is out of the way and quietly content in its small LDS community. When people discover it, they smile.

Quick story — When Blackhawk (country band) appeared at the San Juan County Fair a few years back, they decided to play golf the morning of their appearance. They finished 18..and then teed it up again the same afternoon. Nearly late for the concert...no warm up! Then, all the band members and crew got up the next day and played before heading north. They cancelled their tee times elsewhere to play their third round. They also recorded a song for the course to use as a radio ad, but I have never been able to get a copy.

[Matt_Ward]

Forrest / Garland:

Location only adds to visibility and with that a real appreciation of what's available.

Like I said previously, you have people tripping overthemselves about Tallgrass on LI and because it's on Long Island and many more people may play it -- the course gets an elevated push because of the awareness.

The Hideout is very unique -- there are plenty of fine holes and the overall property is what adds to the enjoyment.

Like I said before -- the layout starts out very slow -- but one you hit the 4th tee the game is certainly on.

P.S. I like the 14th from the upper tee area of #11 (thanks Garland for the correction. It then provides what Forrest alluded to in his previous post.

[Thomas_Brown]

Forrest - I enjoyed the course as well.
How did you decide on the routing?

Was the limited length due to constraints on property limits?

[Forrest Richardson]

Well, Matt...I have always thought No. 3 was quite a dramatic beginning..!



We could have made the course longer. We had our choice of three sites. When it came to the west of Highway 191, we had 300 acres. The routing came from wanting to cross the main ridge twice — once on the "out" and once again on the "in". This was a good use of the ridge and allowed a decent pace of ups and downs. Aside from a few steep slopes (unavoidable) we worked the holes into the terrain, fighting it occasionally.

The course was nearly 7,000 until we begin working on details for No. 15. Jack Snyder (my late mentor) pushed to move the green at No. 15 well up; down below the hillside. Also, we shifted Nos. 5, 7, and 11 forward. This lost us nearly 200 yards in the end. But...we were fine with this. Yardage was not the focus. And it still isn't. You can go out and hit away with any club you want — It just may cost you.

[Doug Ralston]

Found you on the net. Several nice reviews. Here is a site that gives yardage/slope, which are a bit different than given here.

http://www.uga.org/clubs/thehideout/index.cfm

Sweet course ...... nice job!

Doug

[Matt_Ward]

Forrest:

The 3rd is a decent hole -- the views it provides are clearly present.

I just see the 4th as the perfect intro to what the bulk of the course offers.

In some ways The Hideout is reminiscent of BB in that the first three hole are merely an appetizer before you enjoy the main "course" (no pun intended).

One other thing -- I really like the 13th hole -- it's one of the sleepers for me when playing at The Hideout.

[Garland Bayley]

What Forrest writes about moving the 15th green forward is interesting. Definitely makes it a par 3 1/2 hole with much higher numbers possible. I am undecided on how much I like the hole, which I guess some people take as a good sign.

As far as #3 is concerned, I think the photographer took a little artistic license with his shot on that hole.

I like all the other three par threes better than #3.

I didn't get a chance to look at #14 from the 11 tee, so I don't know how much longer it would be. From Forrest and Matt, it sounds like cutting the dogleg would still be possible.
 

[Forrest Richardson]

Thanks...and I still think you should play the Cayman ball there!  

[Garland Bayley]

Pictures are now on flickr, so this tour is now viewable again. Plus, it is an alternative to another high mountain course currently being seen on the first page of the website. The difference is this one only plays one way, and it costs 1/8 as much to play.