u/praGtice

18. Highland Meadows

Getting way up north here, Highland Meadows is still certainly a course worth getting out to. Playing a *little* closer to resort golf, in a wide fairways and big greens sort of sense, but with some interesting hole design and hazard placement it still protects itself and makes the golf interesting.

A lot of the par 4s are landing area asks. Clear a hazard, be short of one, carry bunkers on your line of choice, etc. On a day where you can't miss, it's fun as hell to execute, but on an off day it will punish your scorecard severely.

I think the front nine belies the back a little. After a pretty cool par 5 opening hole, the next stretch of holes is a little pedestrian. But once you get through that loop, the closing holes on the front and everything on the back is really interesting golf. While parts of the course wind through houses, it never feels like a course restrained by the suburban landscape. As if the houses just happen to exist in the same area.

Lots of forced carries make it a not-so-beginner-friendly track, something I learned taking my newbie buddy here for a pre-wedding round when we were up in Loveland.

The range and practice facilities are good, although kind of funny they're a stretch away from the clubhouse. Can't give proper thoughts on the clubhouse, food, or beer selection because I haven't spent enough time here yet, but it seemed nice enough.

Side note: Enjoying the predictions in the comments of what's coming / possible winners! I may run a little predictions bracket, survivor pool, or something else coming down to the final 16. We'll see.

I have counted and played 50 public 18-hole full length golf courses in the greater Denver area. These are my rankings, lowest to highest. While I try to take some amount of objectivity into my rankings, note that ultimately it is a personal list wherein I may value some aspects higher or lower than any other golfer. I have been loving the conversation on these posts, so feel free to agree or disagree and tell me why!

To qualify for the list, here are the (admittedly obtuse) rules:

Must be an hour drive or less away (traffic not accounted for). Depending on what area of Denver you live in and what time you drive, results may vary.
Must be public enough that one can book a tee time online. You will see some semi-private courses on this list, but all of them you can book a tee time for online. It rules out a few courses that are technically playable, but with hard-to-achieve tee times, like TPC Colorado.
Must be 6,600 yards in length or longer. A silly cutoff, but has helped me rule out short and executive courses (and helps round the list into the nice “50” number).

u/praGtice — 8 days ago

▲ 70 r/coloradogolf

20. Fossil Trace

Possibly the most famous course in Colorado, or certainly the most famous public track. People hear about the actual fossils that line holes, massive rock formations, and stunning views. All of these things are true to the course, and I certainly recommend it as a destination for a golfer coming from out of state. But the truth of it is most of those key draws to the course exist on basically only one hole, the awesome par-5 12th. Otherwise... well outside of some of the views, which can be found in many CO tracks, it's just a golf course with pros and cons.

For good reason, this course often comes up in the same breath as Arrowhead. Tourist destination, relative fame, and photogenic golf in the greater Denver area. I will say, to me, Fossil Trace is much more a "real" course than Arrowhead. Many of the holes feel like they combine wow-factor *with* intentional design, especially on the back-9. But that's not to say it's not gimmicky at all, because it certainly still is.

For an expensive destination golf tee time, it's kinda weird that 2-3 holes on the front nine wind directly underneath some very loud power lines. Seems like something even the most local muni would avoid. And a few of the holes are straight up either unfair or incredibly boring. And I should mention the greens. I, personally, can find enjoyment out of bizarre green complexes and even usually appreciate a course that tosses a few my way. But I think nearly every green here has some crazy shelving and undulation. At least the silly 3-tier practice green gives some practice in this.

Nice clubhouse with really good food at the restaurant, and great draft beer options (including an IPA that's specific to the course). Getting a bite or brew and sitting on the patio with those views and being able to see people play 10 and 18 is pretty sweet, I could do that all day. It's nice that you get some free balls and range balls for your tee time. The range itself is fine, if not maybe on the smaller side / harder to find good grass to hit off.

The course is 100% worth playing, and the wow factor alone makes it worth taking an out of towner to. But as far as the golf goes, in my opinion, there's much better to be found even in the same area of town.

To qualify for the list, here are the (admittedly obtuse) rules:

Must be an hour drive or less away (traffic not accounted for). Depending on what area of Denver you live in and what time you drive, results may vary.
Must be public enough that one can book a tee time online. You will see some semi-private courses on this list, but all of them you can book a tee time for online. It rules out a few courses that are technically playable, but with hard-to-achieve tee times, like TPC Colorado.
Must be 6,600 yards in length or longer. A silly cutoff, but has helped me rule out short and executive courses (and helps round the list into the nice “50” number).

u/praGtice — 15 days ago

▲ 29 r/coloradogolf

21. Heritage Eagle Bend

Another course where I find myself surprised with its ranking, in only that it's an overall great track with good conditions, and generally a fair test of golf. It's actually really nice, and comes close to "country club vibes" that you can just happen to secure a public tee time at.

The front nine I would argue has some very interesting tests of risk / reward not only off the tee, but even some approach shots into long 4s and short 5s. The back has some of this as well, and while on the surface has more interesting holes, I found that I had to play most of them to a very specific type of golf without much room for creativity.

One of the things I appreciate, which partially comes from the good conditioning here, is the punishing rough. Most of my regular courses I've gotten pretty comfortable bombing and gouging, but the rough was just long enough here that I would often second guess that decision. Also some really creative use of water on some of the holes to force angles and risk tolerance decisions.

It does, for a few of the holes, fall into the design fallback of "skinny out the fairway on the driver landing spot". Which is totally valid, but just enough holes pulled this trick that I did feel like I was kinda forced into hitting a stock shot over and over.

The greens roll really well. The practice facilities are good, including a range with actually flat ground throughout (shockingly something that seems more rare than it should be). A really nice, nearly opulent, clubhouse with great beer and drink options at the bar. I'd be happy to come back here many times. I think my only reserve about it is that it does feel... cookie cutter? Safe? Too manicured? It's hard to put my finger on the feeling exactly, and it's not a huge detractor. Just a gut feeling.

To qualify for the list, here are the (admittedly obtuse) rules:

Must be an hour drive or less away (traffic not accounted for). Depending on what area of Denver you live in and what time you drive, results may vary.
Must be public enough that one can book a tee time online. You will see some semi-private courses on this list, but all of them you can book a tee time for online. It rules out a few courses that are technically playable, but with hard-to-achieve tee times, like TPC Colorado.
Must be 6,600 yards in length or longer. A silly cutoff, but has helped me rule out short and executive courses (and helps round the list into the nice “50” number).

u/praGtice — 21 days ago

▲ 37 r/coloradogolf

22. South Suburban

I may be a little surprised how far up this one snuck in my rankings. If only because at a surface level view it appears closer to a parkland-links type course which I've typically not responded to as highly as other styles. I do think this track offers a lot more than other courses in that vein, however.

First thing's first though, it's hard as hell to get a tee time here! For this course and Lone Tree, unless you're an area local, one can only secure a time within 5 days of when they want to play. At which point, especially on the weekends, it's always quite picked over already.

The course itself is always in great shape and the greens roll true (albeit I have not played that many times at this point, but even this year I was impressed). The holes, outside of a few uninspired par threes, ask different things out of the player each time. A few drivable par 4s ask you for risk tolerance, reachable par 5s ask for specific shot shapes, and hazard lines cutting through holes ask you to hit your number and line. Nothing ground breaking, but it always feels like a fair test of golf.

One other thing of note that I personally like is when this course uses tree lines to shape holes, it never feels unfair (if that makes sense?). I feel like other parkland-links courses use tree lines in either an annoying or gimmicky way. Here, the windows are never so tight that you feel you are being cheated, but you *do* feel like you're being asked to take a different angle. This feels hardly like an objective point, more of a feeling, but felt the need to make it anyhow.

The practice facilities are nice enough (but I can't remember if it's mats only or not??). The practice putting green 100% rolled true to the course. The clubhouse has good vibes and good drink options (actually did a cocktail instead of a beer here). I wish I could get out to here (and Lone Tree) more often than the public tee times actually allow.

To qualify for the list, here are the (admittedly obtuse) rules:

Must be an hour drive or less away (traffic not accounted for). Depending on what area of Denver you live in and what time you drive, results may vary.
Must be public enough that one can book a tee time online. You will see some semi-private courses on this list, but all of them you can book a tee time for online. It rules out a few courses that are technically playable, but with hard-to-achieve tee times, like TPC Colorado.
Must be 6,600 yards in length or longer. A silly cutoff, but has helped me rule out short and executive courses (and helps round the list into the nice “50” number).

u/praGtice — 22 days ago

▲ 76 r/coloradogolf

23. Indian Peaks

A quick bit of backstory on myself: This was my home course in high school, which is when I started playing golf. It was a hell of a home course, and outside of some rounds at Haystack (RIP) when I was learning to swing, the four years of high school golf at this course is really where I learned to play. By senior year I was down to maybe a 9 handicap. I then started college, and didn't play once because I couldn't afford it. So I've spent my years post-university finding my swing again, and I think it was only recently that I could say I was back to as good as I was in high school. All that to say, I love coming back to this course now.

One thing I can say for sure, as much as I like this track, is that it's over priced. Anything would be over priced in comparison to the practically free rates I got as a high school golfer, but even in modern comparison to courses around, it still is. But, with the three digit price tag, you do get some good golf in almost always great conditions.

It's a winding-through-neighborhood-esq track for the most part, but with some really creative (and often frustrating) hole design thrown in along the way. Some of the risk/reward asks off the tee are exactly what I like to see in course design. Not only asking you which club you want to hit, but even when you decide that, what line you want to take. A real test of risk tolerance. The biggest drawback to this is only that I *wish* there were more holes to pull driver on. There are plenty you can, but less so that it feels like the right decision.

And a few holes do feel a little one-way. Just hit your landing spot, hit your approach, nothing more too it (the tree on #7 can kiss my ass).

The practice facilities are top-notch. Big range, putting green that rolls true to the course, chipping green with bunkers. The clubhouse is great views-wise but I do wish it gave a better angle to watch players play a hole outside of teeing off #1. Honestly, kind of limited tap beer selections (last time I was there anyway).

To qualify for the list, here are the (admittedly obtuse) rules:

Must be an hour drive or less away (traffic not accounted for). Depending on what area of Denver you live in and what time you drive, results may vary.
Must be public enough that one can book a tee time online. You will see some semi-private courses on this list, but all of them you can book a tee time for online. It rules out a few courses that are technically playable, but with hard-to-achieve tee times, like TPC Colorado.
Must be 6,600 yards in length or longer. A silly cutoff, but has helped me rule out short and executive courses (and helps round the list into the nice “50” number).

u/praGtice — 23 days ago

▲ 71 r/coloradogolf

24. ...Arrowhead

Let me get in front of this and say, yes, I expected this to be higher on my list as well. One of the most famous courses in all of CO. Possibly one of the most photographed and shared driving ranges alone in all of the US. Robert Trent Jones stamp, cool location, great views, endless word of mouth, and a top destination for tourists flying in to play golf here... I feel the need to defend having it this low on the list, because of the pedigree, but I'm just going to write my standard course review and let people go after me in the comments as per usual.

What works about this course well for me is the layout prescribed by the land. I love a golf course that was found instead of created, and some of the holes here really do feel that way. Natural elevation gains and losses, forced carries and corners marked by the big rocks. It's cool to feel like the golf exists within the land instead of bombarding it. That being said, this sort of architecture comes with drawbacks.

The word that comes to mind is... gimmick-y. An amount of the holes here feel either too straight-forward or too unfair. There are a few greens, particularly ones tucked into small areas of the land, that are so sloped they are nearly impossible to hold depending on season and green speed / condition. And there's a few holes that play so boring because there is basically only one way to attack them.

The practice facilities are a joke. Yes, the range is beautiful. But it's only 200y long and mats only. And the practice putting green sits at such an insane angle it's not really teaching you anything about green speeds (but, to give it credit, prepares you for Hole 4's insane green slope). The clubhouse as well is fine, the pro shop does have some cool merch. But the bar and food options are... okay? Worse than I'd expect for the price of the tee time and the prestige of the course.

To end on a positive note, it's really cool this course exists at all. And I would gladly go back (if somebody else flipped the bill). Being able to play my favorite game in what feels like a national park is amazing.

To qualify for the list, here are the (admittedly obtuse) rules:

Must be an hour drive or less away (traffic not accounted for). Depending on what area of Denver you live in and what time you drive, results may vary.
Must be public enough that one can book a tee time online. You will see some semi-private courses on this list, but all of them you can book a tee time for online. It rules out a few courses that are technically playable, but with hard-to-achieve tee times, like TPC Colorado.
Must be 6,600 yards in length or longer. A silly cutoff, but has helped me rule out short and executive courses (and helps round the list into the nice “50” number).

u/praGtice — 30 days ago

▲ 21 r/coloradogolf

26. Saddle Rock

While City of Denver has more courses and interesting history, kind of crazy to me that City of Aurora ultimately has two courses that beat all of those (in my book anyway) in Saddle Rock and Murphy Creek (still to come in the list).

If you've read any of my other reviews thus far, you may have picked up on I am a big fan or course architecture that gives choice in a tee shot. Weigh risk/reward in either line or club choice and then let it rip. This can go too far wherein at some courses you're only pulling driver a handful of times a round because it's usually never worth it. This course dances on that line for me, because I wish my choice was to pull driver more often (even if it was, technically, viable). Either way, I still find the tee shots here interesting.

Another cool course feature is the elevation gains. Lots of holes winding up and downhill, or par 3 tee looks that make you second guess how much club you need to take.

Last time I played it it was in great condition, but can't speak to how it is this year with drought water restrictions. Had some thick rough that made you question playing shots that even threatened not finding a fairway. And greens with pin positions that, while fair, made missing on the wrong side bring three putts into question.

Didn't spend enough time, my one time here, at the clubhouse or practice facilities so no review there. But a course easily good enough that I wouldn't second-guess revisiting.

To qualify for the list, here are the (admittedly obtuse) rules:

Must be an hour drive or less away (traffic not accounted for). Depending on what area of Denver you live in and what time you drive, results may vary.
Must be public enough that one can book a tee time online. You will see some semi-private courses on this list, but all of them you can book a tee time for online. It rules out a few courses that are technically playable, but with hard-to-achieve tee times, like TPC Colorado.
Must be 6,600 yards in length or longer. A silly cutoff, but has helped me rule out short and executive courses (and helps round the list into the nice “50” number).

u/praGtice — 1 month ago

▲ 31 r/coloradogolf

28. Ute Creek

Have to start with a complaint on this one - my last round here was pushing 6 hours (18 birdies lies). I've heard that can be a real problem here. It's something that's not perfectly tractable, but something to note.

Layout-wise, I like this course a lot. Decent amount of water and hazard to make you play certain shots a specific way. And some greens that get enough elevation that force specific approach shots. Some of the course plays like a standard winding-through-neighborhood type, but other stretches feel more links-golf-y, which I enjoy.

I caught it at the start of the season, so the conditions were not great but I can only say that about it in that snapshot. I've heard from regulars it can be great or totally dried out.

The back nine in particular is a really fun test of golf, wherein short par 4s and long par 5s ask you to make risk tolerance decisions. And plenty of bunkers to protect greensides, testing short game greatly.

I would happily play here again, but only if I had the guarantee the round would at least be under 5 hours. The clubhouse is small with limited food and drink option, but does have a nice view going down the 18th hole to watch golfers end their round.

I have counted and played 50 public 18-hole full length golf courses in the greater Denver area (cutoff being less than an hour drive away). These are my rankings, lowest to highest. While I try to take some amount of objectivity into my rankings, note that ultimately it is a personal list wherein I may value some aspects higher or lower than any other golfer. I have been loving the conversation on these posts, so feel free to agree or disagree and tell me why!

u/praGtice — 1 month ago

▲ 45 r/coloradogolf

29. Saddleback

I'm a little surprised this one doesn't land in the top half, but I've thought it through and sometimes I have to listen to my gut. Good course, good condition as of last time I was out. Nice and open, but sneaky skinny fairways that enforce good play.

Many of the holes play pretty straight, but the ones that don't are some pretty cool golf holes. 7's split fairway is a great question of risk tolerance, and 16 is so fun in asking how far you're willing to bring water into play for a better look at the pin.

I've heard from people who play here regularly that wind is almost always a factor, making a lot of the course play more links-style. I experienced insane wind when I played for a 5 hole stretch, which was a brutal but fun test of golf.

I had brought a few buddies who were newer golfers, and they had trouble with a lot of the forced carries (especially on par 3s). It's funny that on the same course where long running shots and beginner friendly rollouts exists too some crazy target golf. Somehow both beginner friendly and not.

Practice facilities were acceptable (kind of a small putting green if I remember right). Nice clubhouse though, and had some unique and local brew options for post-round drafts.

u/praGtice — 1 month ago

▲ 23 r/coloradogolf

30. Coal Creek

I’ll start from how I feel on this one - this course is hard! For myself anyway. Over half the hole’s fairways are entirely or partially lined by forest which slants into a creek. Missing is not an option. It’s not “Oh I have a chance for a creative punch to save par”. It’s “Oh, I’m dropping 3 or re-teeing”. It’s not to say there’s no opportunities for creative golf here, but I find most the holes to be a hit your number and hit it straight type of play.

Located in Louisville just off 36 (you can see some of the course off the highway), depending on where you live it’s pretty easy to get to. And it is a fun layout. I would argue it’s overpriced for what it is, but I’m getting tired of saying that in these because it’s true for most courses these days.

If I have a tee time here coming up, I find myself imagining how I’m going to play certain hole different than last time.

The conditions tend to be pretty good, depending on when you catch it, and I find the greens to roll true. I wish there was more driver opportunity off some tees. The clubhouse is pretty good food and drink wise, can sit on the patio and watch players come in on 18.

Overland Park
Twin Peaks
Aurora Hills
Eagle Trace
Indian Tree
Flatirons
Kennedy
Broken Tee
Hyland Hills
Buffalo Run
Foothills
Spring Valley
Wellshire
Thorncreek
City Park
Mariana Butte
Meadows
Riverdale Knolls
Broadlands
Raccoon Creek
Coal Creek
…

I have counted and played 50 public 18-hole full length golf courses in the greater Denver area (cutoff being less than an hour drive away). While I try to take some amount of objectivity into my rankings, note that ultimately it is a personal list wherein I may value some aspects higher or lower than any other golfer. I have been loving the conversation on these posts, so feel free to agree or disagree and tell me why!

u/praGtice — 1 month ago

▲ 39 r/coloradogolf

31. Raccoon Creek

We're getting to a funny bit of the list where I'm listing things much lower than I feel they belong in my head without comparison. I guess what this is, more than anything else, is a testament to how good CO golf can be if I have 30 courses ahead of this one.

I like Raccoon Creek a decent amount. It was a little over priced for what it is last time I played, but that can probably be said for most golf these days. A fun layout with lots of shaped holes and doglegs off the tee offering interesting decisions on what line to take with driver. A few water-lined holes and, as of the last time I played it last year, pretty good conditions.

I think just about every hole has *just enough* shape or hazard to never let the golfer fall into rhythm, and instead have to strategize over the ball on each shot. I got matched with a guy who regularly plays this course my first and only time there, and there was a lot of local knowledge which helped me put up a score I was pleased with. I imagine if I didn't have help picking my lines and misses it could have gone far worse.

Decent practice facilities. A little note that I enjoyed, and I suppose this is becoming a little more common, was being able to buy my range balls with a credit card at the range instead of having to do it in the clubhouse. With the high tech range machines these days, I wish I saw this more often.

Nice clubhouse and good post-round beer options. And, at least when I was there, saw the cart girl twice per-nine. Good stuff.

Overland Park
Twin Peaks
Aurora Hills
Eagle Trace
Indian Tree
Flatirons
Kennedy
Broken Tee
Hyland Hills
Buffalo Run
Foothills
Spring Valley
Wellshire
Thorncreek
City Park
Mariana Butte
Meadows
Riverdale Knolls
Broadlands
Raccoon Creek
…

u/praGtice — 2 months ago

▲ 39 r/coloradogolf

32. Broadlands

Here's one I get out to a pretty decent amount, and I don't have a ton to say about it. I compare this in my mind to tracks like Thorncreek, Legacy Ridge, and a few other winding-through-neighborhood courses in the north / west greater Denver area. So the question becomes justifying where these courses land in my list outside of simply saying it's a gut feeling. I'll try my best.

While I do find the front 9 here to be just okay (with a few really interesting standout holes), the back 9 really shines to me. Really interesting par 4s, that either dogleg enough that give plenty of options in the risk/reward category, or are straight but with enough bunkering to block certain play. I find the design to be a fair test of golf, and every time I play here I'm presented with different challenges on the same holes.

Also, I've seen this course in all sorts of condition. From playing great and true greens to totally dried out and patchy fairways. I've stated before condition is not a strong part of my ratings because it's variable, but I'm just noting this course can be caught on its best and worse days in the same season.

For being a pretty good test of golf, it's also a laid back establishment. I see golfers of all skill levels around.

The practice facilities are fine. A two-tiered range which is kinda small (I've been waiting for spots to open for my pre-round warmup many times) and a putting green which, well, gets the job done. The clubhouse is okay, fine drink selection and standard clubhouse food choices.

For people who live in the area, this is a great home track to have. I wonder for people who play it often / weekly if the vagaries of certain holes can be worked to an advantage?

Overland Park
Twin Peaks
Aurora Hills
Eagle Trace
Indian Tree
Flatirons
Kennedy
Broken Tee
Hyland Hills
Buffalo Run
Foothills
Spring Valley
Wellshire
Thorncreek
City Park
Mariana Butte
Meadows
Riverdale Knolls
Broadlands
…

u/praGtice — 2 months ago

▲ 29 r/coloradogolf

33. Riverdale Knolls

A quick note: I have only played this course after the renovations, and only have a mild understanding of what was changed from before.

The less famous of the Riverdale courses, coming in at #33 is the Knolls track. One thing I want to get out of the way is that the conditions were *fantastic* when I went, which was shortly after them opening all 18 holes again after the long project. Outside of the few holes where they were still clearly doing work, the course was ready to play and held up with some of the fancier courses in and around town.

Layout-wise, it's pretty standard golf. Which I'm not necessarily complaining about. In comparison to other courses with lots of straight holes, this one will give you elevation gains and falls, forced carries, risk / reward decisions, and everything else you may want from a classical layout.

Ultimately, it just doesn't do anything *memorably*, especially in comparison to its sister course. I look forward to revisiting it once the construction is totally complete (perhaps it is already, it's already been a few months).

The clubhouse and restaurant are nice, good beer selection and I remember a decent breakfast burrito pre-round. Great practice facilities as well, with a big range and putting green which played true to the on-course greens.

Overland Park
Twin Peaks
Aurora Hills
Eagle Trace
Indian Tree
Flatirons
Kennedy
Broken Tee
Hyland Hills
Buffalo Run
Foothills
Spring Valley
Wellshire
Thorncreek
City Park
Mariana Butte
Meadows
Riverdale Knolls
…

u/praGtice — 2 months ago

▲ 25 r/coloradogolf

34. Meadows

This is one of the courses I only have played once thus far, and I think a second visit could dramatically shift how I feel about it (in either direction).

One of the things I remember for certain is that I rarely pulled driver. So many of the par 4s, especially on the front, had weird forced carries and split fairways. And while I do love a good par 4 that asks you to play different shots, I think I came away a little miffed I couldn't let the big dog eat more. Especially because a lot of it was not as much risk/reward VS just asking you to play very particular shots.

Maybe I shouldn't start so negative, because there's a lot I did like about the course as well. There were many memorable holes, like the first par 5 on the back nine which was basically island fairway (but a fair one) winding almost all the way up to the hole. And the 9th hole was one of the few times a decision needed to be made off the tee, because it's short but with the fairway sloping into hazard you almost have to play a fade to keep a driver or long club properly safe.

I was striping the ball the day I played it and scored well, but I think this track will punish you tons if you're off your game even a little.

Good practice facilities with a big range. The clubhouse is elevated above the course with okay views and okay food and drink selection. Nothing to write home about.

Overland Park
Twin Peaks
Aurora Hills
Eagle Trace
Indian Tree
Flatirons
Kennedy
Broken Tee
Hyland Hills
Buffalo Run
Foothills
Spring Valley
Wellshire
Thorncreek
City Park
Mariana Butte
Meadows
…

u/praGtice — 2 months ago

▲ 46 r/coloradogolf

35. Mariana Butte

This is, I think, the furthest I drove for this top 50 courses journey. 58 minute drive from me, for some in south Denver this would cross the hour threshold.

I played this course once in high school, and my memories of it were fonder than the product I came back to. It's not to say it was bad, and the memorable holes were still fun, but it seems like they have really let this place go.

The pros: An interesting layout on a prime piece of land for it (especially the back nine) presents really interesting golf. Great elevation changes and choices to be made about cutting corners over trees or bringing water into play. Most greens are sloped enough to leave most putts in a spot that makes you actually think over the ball. And, can't say enough about some of the back nine views. Tucked almost into those northern mountains, certain holes feel isolated enough in it to feel more like mountain golf.

The cons: I have a difficult time bringing up conditions in these reviews. It's totally variable. On season, drought conditions, what year you played, etc. But it's clear this place was lost some time ago. Which is a bummer. Also, the practice facilities leave a lot to be desired. Perma-mats, short range, and the practice putting green plays nothing like the ones on the course.

I think this course could be very score-able for locals who play it a lot. Once you know the greens and the miss spots, I could see some guys putting up some low scores.

This all being said, I would still argue this course is well worth getting out to, especially if you happen to be in the area anyway. And those elevated tee-box par threes are fun as hell.

Overland Park
Twin Peaks
Aurora Hills
Eagle Trace
Indian Tree
Flatirons
Kennedy
Broken Tee
Hyland Hills
Buffalo Run
Foothills
Spring Valley
Wellshire
Thorncreek
City Park
Mariana Butte
…

u/praGtice — 2 months ago

▲ 51 r/coloradogolf

36. City Park

While it is, ultimately, a simple parkland links layout, I do think this course is better than what it should be. I guess what I mean by that is I've played a lot of public downtown links courses in other cities / states, and this one stands out as shockingly good. Kept in good condition, with some interesting holes and more elevation changes / hills than you would think, I guess I just mean to say this course is more than it needs to be in a good way.

Everybody talks about the views, and yes, they are pretty cool. Rare to get a golf course that gives towering views of a downtown metro area placed right underneath the skyscrapers. The clubhouse is also excellent, with a full menu, good beer list, and patio that looks out over the course and skyline.

The golf itself is good, not great. But every time I come here it seems the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Some holes let you rip driver with no worry of lost ball, others force a carry into a small landing area, and what could be a simple layout makes you instead strategize over many of your shots. Some of the green complexes are more than what they seem, and a miss on the wrong side brings three-putts into the equation. I do wish some of the tee boxes from the tips weren't so out of the way though. There's a few holes on the front nine where you can be going through a group teeing off on another hole. And lots of walking back from the path (although I usually walk it). It can get a little on top of itself and crowded.

Denver has better golf to offer, but I do point a lot of people this direction (if they can secure the impossible tee time) as part of the Denver golf package.

Overland Park
Twin Peaks
Aurora Hills
Eagle Trace
Indian Tree
Flatirons
Kennedy
Broken Tee
Hyland Hills
Buffalo Run
Foothills
Spring Valley
Wellshire
Thorncreek
City Park
…

u/praGtice — 2 months ago

▲ 25 r/coloradogolf

37. Thorncreek

North of Denver and just off the highway is Thorncreek. A winding neighborhood layout with plenty of what-you-see-is-what-you-get. I've gotten out here a decent amount, as it's far easier to get a tee time than some other spots. And while there's nothing incredibly special about it, there's nothing all too bad either.

Lots of holes, especially on the front nine, which ask for very specific shots off the tee. You'll take driver far less here than many other courses. Or, if you do, be ready to find the smallest sliver of a good landing spot. The greens are always in fine condition, whereas the fairways... maybe not as much. I do notice they use a sand base for a lot of the course, which I'm sure they have their reasons for.

It's not insane target golf, plenty of greens allow you to play a run-up shot. And often it does offer room to miss right, with sometimes forgiving and sometimes not-so-forgiving rough depending on the season. Most of the par threes play pretty short as well, which I personally enjoy.

It's a course worth getting out to if you stick to just Denver courses, if you get up when there's no traffic, it's a short shot on the highway.

The clubhouse is fine, pretty standard fair of food and a few beers on tap.

Overland Park
Twin Peaks
Aurora Hills
Eagle Trace
Indian Tree
Flatirons
Kennedy
Broken Tee
Hyland Hills
Buffalo Run
Foothills
Spring Valley
Wellshire
Thorncreek
…

u/praGtice — 2 months ago

▲ 36 r/coloradogolf

38. Wellshire

It's an interesting question for people who often play the City of Denver courses. I think Wellshire and City Park are the two favorites for most. Wellshire, from a sheer golf perspective, has a little more to offer. More history, more prestige (being a Donald Ross design), and is simply about the golf. But for me personally, City Park will come a little higher on this list.

The parkland links style ate my lunch my first and only time playing it. And while I know it's low on the list, I really want to get out there and attack it again. It's pretty standard back and forth holes a lot of the time, but a few big pros it gets are interesting slopes and hills so it never feels as boring as some other parkland courses.

It's walkable, accessible golf. Nothing in the way of memorable or signature holes, but is still golf as it should be. Come prepared to punch shots and hit some controlled Scotts-Irish drives to find fairways.

The clubhouse restaurant was closed when I came so no review there. It seemed old but with a lot of character based on what I saw.

Side note - when I was here, they had a pin on the back nine that was impossible. Not challenging, but impossible. On what had to be a 6 degree hill that knocked any putt approaching the hole 25 feet down if it didn't go in the hole. I've seen that before on some dog track courses, it seemed gimmicky and out of place for here. Anybody else experience that?

Overland Park
Twin Peaks
Aurora Hills
Eagle Trace
Indian Tree
Flatirons
Kennedy
Broken Tee
Hyland Hills
Buffalo Run
Foothills
Spring Valley
Wellshire
…

u/praGtice — 2 months ago

▲ 12 r/coloradogolf

39. Spring Valley

Going wayyyy southeast for this one, coming in at 39 is Spring Valley.

The layout is kind of standard for CO golf. Some holes back and forth links, some holes winding through neighborhoods. Some straight holes, some mild doglegs but nothing too extreme. Last time I played it was a few years ago, the conditions then were okay, nothing stood out as great or downright awful.

While not every hole allowed for much in the creativity sense, I remember some of the par 5’s specifically gave interesting risk/reward for either going for it in two shots OR giving multiple options for where a layup should wind up.

It’s nice that it’s well out of the city, almost providing a cozy vibe with relaxed energy. The clubhouse is fine, beer selection okay. Sitting out on the deck gives good views of golfers teeing off #1 and coming in #18. Good range and warmup facilities.

Overland Park
Twin Peaks
Aurora Hills
Eagle Trace
Indian Tree
Flatirons
Kennedy
Broken Tee
Hyland Hills
Buffalo Run
Foothills
Spring Valley
…

u/praGtice — 2 months ago

▲ 59 r/coloradogolf

Showcase: Redlands Mesa

A quick pallet cleanser before we get into the 30’s of my rankings. Does not belong on the list because it’s not a greater Denver area course, but I just played today… and it was awesome.

The only way to explain it, really, is desert golf. If you’ve ever played in Vegas, Scottsdale, Utah etc… you know what i’m talking about. A total different flavor for CO golf.

I happen to be in Grand Junction this weekend so had to get out here. It was not a perfect course, but wow was it worth it (even at the price point). No two holes even kind of similar, every tee shot asked me to do something different. Many approaches asked to risk a green tier to pin-seek or take a safe on the green and hope to two putt approach.

Some fairways impossible to miss, most so easy to miss you were either on short grass or scrambling with the rattle snakes. And if you play the tips, get ready to climb some stairs (but rewarded with some awesome views).

My biggest critique is probably limited to a few holes that allow for no creativity. Hit it 240 or less, no room for a risk/reward, get rewarded with an approach still 180 out no matter the tee shot result. Most courses have holes like this, just stuck out here specifically.

Lastly, incredible clubhouse. Good drink options, and elevated views of the first hole. If you get the chance, it’s worth it!

The Denver list will continue tomorrow. Thanks to everybody enjoying the series so far.

u/praGtice — 2 months ago