
Sleeping Indian/Cottonwood Course
West Woods Golf Club


About this course
West Woods Golf Club sits in Arvada, a northwestern suburb of Denver, where the high plains begin their rise toward the Front Range. The facility offers two eighteen-hole courses designed by Dick Phelps, a Colorado-based architect whose work appears primarily in the Rocky Mountain region. Phelps routed both the Sleeping Indian and Cottonwood courses across rolling terrain characteristic of the area, where elevation changes and natural drainage corridors shape the playing corridors. The courses occupy land that transitions between suburban development and open space, typical of Colorado's Front Range communities. At roughly 5,400 feet above sea level, the thin air affects ball flight noticeably, and players adjust club selection accordingly. Native grasses, scrub oak, and cottonwood trees—the latter lending its name to one of the nines—frame many holes, while views extend west toward the foothills and mountain backdrop that defines the Denver metro area. West Woods operates as a public facility, serving both local residents and visitors seeking accessible golf in the Arvada area. The dual-course layout provides variety and accommodates different skill levels, with multiple tee options on each course. The property reflects the straightforward, playable design philosophy common in municipal and daily-fee courses built to serve a broad golfing population rather than tournament competition. Conditions and maintenance follow the standards typical of high-traffic public courses in Colorado's semi-arid climate, where water management and seasonal weather patterns influence turf quality throughout the year.
Quick facts
- Location
- Arvada, CO, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1994
- Designer
- Dick Phelps
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,035 yards
- Difficulty
- 72.9/136
Getting there
Most arrivals to West Woods Golf Club begin at Denver International Airport, roughly forty minutes northeast across the high plains, though private aviation often favors Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, trimming the drive to a mere fifteen minutes. The route west traces the gradual rise toward the Front Range, trading the flatlands for rolling terrain as the foothills begin to assert themselves. By the time you reach Arvada's western edge, the landscape has shifted entirely - ponderosa and scrub oak replace suburban sprawl, and the final ascent delivers you to West Woods' elevated perch, where the Rockies loom close and the city feels remarkably distant.

FAQ
Common questions about Sleeping Indian/Cottonwood at West Woods Golf Club
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Sleeping Indian/Cottonwood was designed by Dick Phelps.
Yes. Sleeping Indian/Cottonwood at West Woods Golf Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Sleeping Indian/Cottonwood is 72.
Sleeping Indian/Cottonwood plays 7,035 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Sleeping Indian/Cottonwood is 136.
Sleeping Indian/Cottonwood is a 18-hole course.




