The first time I took the Fandango to a real golf course (i.e., not a par-3 course), I realized the key to its success: play with people who are unquestionably better than you are. If you do that, you can marvel at your ability to consistently hit a 9-iron much straighter and almost as far as their heavy clubs, because they'll slice or hook it about 50% of the time. Of course, it helps when you disregard your mulligans and penalty shots, but I'm sure you were already working under that assumption.

Yes, it looks like a gift shop at Yellowstone National Park, but it's really a golf clubhouse.

Don't let the strange A-frame clubhouse at this place fool you. None of the holes feature any of the obstacles reminiscent of your favorite putt-putt course. I must say, however, that the golf cart up on blocks around hole #1 always makes me realize that the down economy has definitely made its way to the upper crust.

Hopeful the economy turns around soon

These oddities aside, this is a well-maintained course that contains a plethora of something very scarce on a high desert golf course: nice, big, green trees. And where there's nice trees there is also shade, which is good because it's always Lucifer-hot when the Fandango tees off between 6:30 and 7pm. However, the heat always makes us realize that this is a fantastic course to play on a hot summer evening. There's plenty of shade to go around, the course is tucked into the foothills so the scenery and elevation changes are nice, and it's a dollar a hole after 6:30pm. Yes, you read that right. Nine holes during twilight will cost you $9. That the best value in town.

There is some water on the front 9, but clearly not enough because I've never put any balls in the drink on hole #4, which overlooks the big pond. The front 9 also has its share of sand, but again, probably not enough because I've never found any beaches either. But I always manage to hit a few trees, and one time I threatened to arm wrestle a foursome of high school punks who were driving cart #44 like Steve McQueen. They didn't appear to be scared.

View from hole 4 white tee box

Overall, the trees, elevation changes, and unbeatable twilight rate make the front 9 very enjoyable to play. In fact, these nine holes are easily my favorite of the whole Fandango Tour. Shadow Valley is a bit of a drive from downtown, but don't let that discourage you. The Fandango gives this course a 10, which is what I usually score on hole #2. I'd give it an 11, but they don't allow halter tops of the course, which is a major bummer. They really ought to reconsider that rule, because it would be a really nice complement to the already outstanding natural beauty of the place.

Boo!

For the Fandango article for the Shadow Valley back 9, click here.