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DINoSAuR TRAIL
Golf & Country Club
PAR 4 383 yARDS
Drumheller, AB
403.823.5622
www.dinosaurtrailgolf.com
You won't find a course with deeper historical connections than Dinosaur Trail Golf
& Country Club. In the heart of the Alberta Badlands, the course site includes 75
million-year-old dinosaur bone beds. In fact, construction included consultation with
a paleontologist to ensure no damage was done to this priceless natural heritage.
Dinosaur Trail actually plays like two courses. The older front nine stands out against
the arid backdrop with its lush trees and expansive lake. The newer back nine makes
full use of the area's natural assets: hoodoos and cacti follow the rugged rise and fall
of the terrain, with fairways often broken into sections of green surrounded by rough.
Stray off line, and the course can be unforgiving.
The par-4 17th presents particular challenges. Although relatively flat, it's demanding
off the tee: your drive has to have a lot of carry if you're going to put yourself in
scoring position. Accuracy is critical.
As with almost every hole on the back nine, the second shot requires focus and
correct execution as the hole takes a sharp bend just left of the green. More players
than naught play it wide to the right and approach the green in relative safety away
from the hazard on the left. Yet players who take their shot across the coulée that
guards the fairway's left side can expect a great opportunity for a birdie putt. Beware,
though; the green is not large, and a grass bunker separates the green from the
coulée on the front edge.
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Photographs by Scott Westman
