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Snagged a hot deal through GolfNow to offset usual course fees between $59-$95 and then had dinner at course Bistro Lounge. Gorgeous surroundings and perfect day made for the best of golf finalized by walleye dinner and local craft brew.

Donald Ross was known for his difficult designs and Hillcrest fits the mold. Sloping fairways, steep hillsides and nasty sand traps make this course a challenge. The senior tees at 5860 made few holes inviting because of shortness and elevation was a constant issue. Poor distance markers make the course even more difficult so bring your technology or be prepared to guess frequently. Still an interesting round awaits.

Hillcrest is a traditional Donald Ross course that uses the natural wooded hillsides with abrupt slopes off the fairways to reveal few flat lies or easy greens. Like Swope Park next door, the course plays longer than its yard markers indicate and has enough deep valleys and uphill greens to make distance calculation a challenge. Course upkeep is getting better but cart paths need some work, so watch your step.

This popular links course in suburban Kansas City near Lee's Summit is a very fair track with generally wide fairways and consistent greens. It's walkable and the surrounding Longview Lake provides nice vistas from several holes. Check weekly specials for military and seniors and Golf Now for Hot Deals.

Sharp doglegs/steep drops/aerated greens made this a challenging day on Grand Summit golf course. Staff were friendly, companions pleasant but playing conditions made the day "difficult." Some putts on normal days would have gone off tilted greens. This day the ball often stopped going down steep dropping greens. But a pleasant track that keeps you guessing with a few holes designed by a sadist.

Took advantage of reduced rates--still up there at $65-to play an average plus FL course with excellent greens, the best we've had so far this winter. Staff were friendly, check in efficient and the course effectively marshaled. Clubhouse food was subpar--don't get the hot dogs--no local craft beers available in the land of great local beers--but a full bar available in roving refreshment cart.

Shoal Creek combines an interesting layout with club house amenities to produce a satisfying experience for all levels of golfers. The course is built within a subdivision but houses rarely come into play and acres of tree lined fairways give one a woodlands feel. Greens usually run medium fast and there are enough traps, some quite challenging (#10 for example), to satisfy masochists of sand. An upscale golfing option in the Kansas City Northland.

Pole Creek is a solid value in the Grand County golf scene. The course is well managed, fair and situated in a beautiful valley with fantastic vistas. After the round, one can also enjoy a meal at the course restaurant. Beware of frequent afternoon storms so come prepared with rain gear, though they usually pass quickly.

This hidden gem lies behind mountain range off highway 40 outside Granby. The former Sol Vista the course is in a resort /residential complex still under construction so travel between back/front nines takes a while. Golf Now discounts make it affordable on occasion so look for them because the experience is worthwhile and golf memorable. Club house is temporary. My first review was of Grand Elk, not Granby Ranch, played both in two days.

Great summer option for golfers staying in the Winter Park/Granby area who have a discount card or use Golf Now or other reduced rate services. The course is challenging from all tee locations but has many open holes that give you a breather. Course knowledge though is a must on several tee shots as high brush obscures fairway/pin locations. Staff is helpful and the restaurant serves excellent food/CO craft brews.

The course was in excellent condition, friendly staff and with great options on tap. Several blind shots make course knowledge important and one should approach greens with caution. The GPS system is accurate and gives ones forewarning of trouble but course knowledge is still key. Practice balls come with your round and staff are eager to help.

Played using Golf Now discount rates that are fair for the quality of the course/facilities during the afternoon hours starting at 2PM when frequent storms roll in. For twenty minutes we had wind and sheets of rain that made play nearly impossible but then it cleared and the rest of the day was fine, especially concluding the round with a beer in the welcoming clubhouse as the sun began to drop below the mountain range to the west. The Ridge nine is a wonderful track with elevation changes and great scenery/wildlife presence.

Lots of players but marshals put us ahead of slower players