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Course Report
Devil's Thumb Golf Course was voted the 3rd-best public or resort course in Colorado in 2017, a remarkable honor for a small-town Western Slope layout located on a high desert plateau at the base of the Grand Mesa.
About
Devil's Thumb Golf Course in Delta, Colorado is an 18-hole, par-72 public layout set among adobe hills at the southern base of the Grand Mesa, with sweeping views of surrounding mountain ranges. Designed in the early 2000s in a high-desert style, it features generous fairways, strong bunkering, and subtly contoured greens, earning recognition as one of Colorado’s better public courses and a Western Slope favorite for its scenery, value, and shot-making variety.
Caddie Tip
Embrace the elevation and desert air: the ball flies a bit farther, and the wind can shift quickly across the open plateau. Aim for the widest parts of landing areas you see from the tee on holes like 5, 10, 13, and 16, as local regulars note these drives are all about picking the right line rather than simply hitting it long.
The Main Challenge
The main challenge at Devil's Thumb comes from navigating wind-exposed, elevated tees and approaches into greens that have just enough slope to punish imprecise distance control. Misjudged lines on holes like 5, 10, 13, and 16 can leave awkward lies on sidehills or in natural adobe areas. The course rewards disciplined club selection and smart angles more than brute length, especially when conditions get firm and fast.
The Good
Golfers consistently praise Devil's Thumb for its striking high-desert setting, with expansive views of the Grand Mesa, West Elks, and distant San Juans from numerous elevated tees. The routing uses natural adobe ridges and contours to create engaging shots without feeling tricked up, delivering a blend of scenic vistas, variety, and value that makes it a must-play on Colorado’s Western Slope.
The Not So Good
Common critiques focus on its exposure to the elements and the occasional conditioning dip during hot, dry stretches, when fairways can firm up and rough areas may feel scruffy. Some players also mention that first-time visitors can struggle with blind tee shots and lines on several holes, wishing for better on-course signage or more detailed yardage information to make navigation and club selection easier.
Signature Hole:
#
5
The par-4 5th hole plays from an elevated tee down into a fairway framed by adobe ridges, demanding a confident tee shot to set up a mid-iron approach into a green guarded by bunkers and natural slopes. Panoramic views of the Grand Mesa and surrounding high desert make it one of the course’s most memorable tests of strategy and nerve.
Clubhouse
Devil's Thumb’s modest clubhouse provides a friendly golf shop with essentials, logo gear, and snacks, along with a comfortable grill area serving simple but well-liked food and drinks. Views from the clubhouse and patio look out over the adobe hills and nearby holes, creating a relaxed post-round atmosphere. While not a luxury facility, it delivers the welcoming, small-town Western Slope vibe many traveling golfers appreciate.
Practice Facilities
The course offers a solid practice setup, including a full driving range, putting green, and short-game area where players can dial in wedges before heading to the first tee. Facilities are functional rather than lavish but more than adequate for warm-ups and casual practice. Space and targets encourage working through a full bag, making it easy to get comfortable with elevation and wind conditions.
Dress Code:
Standard
No dress code enforced. All attire is permitted.
Collared shirts not required. Clean, athletic or golf-appropriate casual wear is acceptable.
Collared shirts required. No denim, gym wear, or overly casual clothing.
Collared shirts must be tucked in; no cargo or athletic shorts. No hats indoors.
Elite club standards; jackets required indoors, no changing shoes in the parking lot, and specific attire rules based on the area of the facility.
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