Salida Golf Course

Venue Overview

Salida Golf Course is a public, 9-hole golf course in Salida, Colorado, that has provided recreation in the Upper Arkansas River Valley since 1926. Designed by Emmett Killian, the course still plays its original 1926 routing and green sites today, offering alternating tees for an 18-hole round with yardage ranging from 4,921 to 6,360 yards at a par of 70, a course rating of 68.7, and a slope of 127.

About the Course

Few Colorado courses can claim the kind of continuity Salida offers: nearly a century after Emmett Killian laid it out in 1926, the same routing and green sites remain in play. Set in the Heart of the Rockies with Collegiate Peaks views, the course features small, fast bentgrass greens, water in play on 8 of the 9 holes, and fairways lined with pine, cottonwood, and Russian olive trees. The course sits on a slope but plays as an easy walk, with a typical pace of about two hours for 9 holes — making it a genuinely quick, scenic round for locals and visitors alike.

• Public, 9-hole course (played as 18 via alternating tees) designed by Emmett Killian, opened in 1926
• Par 70, 4,921–6,360 yards depending on tee combination, course rating 68.7, slope 127
• Original 1926 routing and green sites still in use today
• Water in play on 8 of 9 holes
• Fairways lined with pine, cottonwood, and Russian olive trees
• Marketed as the most affordable golf in the Upper Arkansas River Valley

The Only Driving Range in Chaffee County

Salida Golf Course rounds out its historic layout with modern practice facilities, including the only driving range in Chaffee County — a 300-yard range alongside putting and chipping greens. That combination of century-old golf character and genuinely useful practice infrastructure has made Salida a home course for area golfers and a scenic stop for visitors passing through the Arkansas River Valley, about a 1.5-hour drive from Breckenridge.

Practice Facilities & Amenities

• 300-yard driving range — the only one in Chaffee County
• Putting and chipping greens
• Golf cart rentals
• Bentgrass greens throughout
• Full-service pro shop
• Golf Cabin Bar & Grill, open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner, with breakfast on weekends

Lessons & Instruction

Salida's instruction program is led, as of 2026, by:

• Braden Bentley — Head Golf Professional, offering personalized coaching for golfers of all levels

Bentley grew up in Colorado Springs and first played the Salida course as a young child visiting relatives, going on to play collegiately at Lewis University and work as an assistant pro at Las Sendas Golf Club in Arizona before returning to Colorado to take the helm at Salida, succeeding longtime club professional Dow Stewart. Whether refining a swing, sharpening course strategy, or just getting started in the game, Braden's instruction serves golfers at every stage. Contact him at (719) 539-1060 or salidagolfshop@gmail.com to schedule a lesson.

Tournaments & Events

Salida hosts a full calendar of club tournaments each season, including the Shavano Showdown, the Ladies Invitational, and the Salida City Championship, alongside golf leagues and season-pass programs for regular play throughout the summer.

Planning Your Event Here

Salida's historic 1926 Emmett Killian design, mountain scenery, and full-service Golf Cabin Bar & Grill make it a distinctive option for tournaments and group events in the Chaffee County area. Contact the pro shop to coordinate a booking. The course is located at 404 Grant Street, Salida, CO 81201 (719-539-1060).

Hosting an Event at Salida Golf Course? Launch It on Colorado Under Par

If you're organizing a tournament, scramble, or group outing at Salida Golf Course, you can launch your event for free on Colorado Under Par — Colorado's dedicated platform for discovering and promoting golf, pickleball, and sporting events. Getting your event in front of Colorado's active golf community takes less than five minutes. Launch your event here: coloradounderpar.com/submit-event