Cochiti Golf Club (Blues)
6413 yards – 69.8 Rating – 117 Slope – 86Score
Day 6; April 26th, 2017
As the last course on my “Southwest Swing” Cochiti was, by far, the most “Southwest” (at least in the sense of what I expected going into the rounds). High desert surroundings (Sage Brush, small scraggly trees, dried grass and rocks) frame lush fairways and greens creating a strikingly sharp contrast.
I found Cochiti in great shape. They had just aerated, but that in no way effected my round. The greens were in rolling well (although we did have to fix a few extra ball marks along the way, certainly not the courses fault), the fairways were well groomed, and – while wet from the previous days rain – the rough was manicured and fair (I know because I spent more time than usual there).
I also enjoyed the layout of the course. Rather than try to ensconce the natural elevation changes of the environment into the course, they were used to create contrast wherever possible. This is a Robert Trent Jones course, and it shows. “Vista point” elevated tee’s, requiring a decent carry over native areas to be safe, dot the course; and the desire to take out my camera and capture yet another cool tee shot was a repeating theme.
I played the blues which are almost 600 yards longer than the whites. Mostly the difference was just distance, but there were a few where it changed the way I attacked the hole. I appreciated this, as I don’t play the back just so I can use a longer club from the tee box.
I found the staff very friendly, especially the starter who verbally walked me through most of the challenging holes on the course when he found out I was a first time player. This was especially valuable on #10 which has a large water hazard invisible from the tee box but absolutely reachable with a driver. Even the grounds crew was engaging, complimenting me on my (almost) birdie on the hole they were working on and chatting with me about the course and my experience in general.
Not only would I play Cochiti again, I’d really like to because I didn’t have my best game today, so I don’t think I gave it much of a test.