Aspen Lakes Golf Course, in Sisters, OR, is a traditional style course and one of the best all-around golf experiences in Oregon’s central region. From panoramic views spanning more than a half dozen mountain peaks, down to the sound course design and features, Aspen Lakes is the complete package and everything you might hope for when golfing the high desert. Certain elements are to be expected in this area of quality golf, and Aspen Lakes meets or exceeds those expectations. Handfuls of perspectives allow you to gaze at the towering Cascades, namely the front-and-center grouping of Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top and the Three Sisters. A uniquely memorable aspect at Aspen Lakes are the sand traps composed of crushed volcanic rock. Plotted throughout the course, these signature, red-sand bunkers are a creative point of distinction that is fitting to the regions geology. Despite long distances and plenty of challenges to meet the demand of the more skilled, generous hole widths make this course manageable for all. Factor in a balance of classic high desert layouts lined with pines, and vegetated, water-filled holes, and Aspen Lakes is a truly rounded, top-notch track.
Aspen Lakes Golf Course is built on rolling terrain with a lot of gradual elevation changes. Target zones are favorably large and a friendly counter to the lengthiness of the course. There are out of bounds areas in the form of trees and desert brush, but in many cases are relatively avoidable. Key course challenges arise from sheer distance and design. A blend of bending doglegs, directional and green-side bunkers and frequent water features can also collectively lengthen many layouts. There’s not a bland hole on the course, as all have a varying mix of the mentioned features. A notable stretch that well-represents the potential difficulty here, are Holes 14-16, or “Amen Corner.” This Par 4-3-4 combo holds respective distances of 466, 201, and 426 yards from the blue tees. Accompanied by elevation changes, and a wealth of sand & water, this can be a daunting test as your round nears conclusion. Overall, Aspen Lakes contains water in all forms, but predominantly as large ponds throughout much of the back 9. The well-noted bunkers exist in large numbers all over. Their volcanic sand is not as finely ground as traditional beach sands, and plays a bit heavier. The greens at Aspen Lakes, while providing some occasional large slopes, are fairly user-friendly to putt on. Their speeds are fast in season, but normal for the region.
