u/praGtice

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.

50. Overland Park
51. Twin Peaks
52. Aurora Hills
53. Eagle Trace
54. Indian Tree
55. Flatirons
56. Kennedy
57. Broken Tee
58. Hyland Hills
59. Buffalo Run
60. Foothills
61. Spring Valley
62. Wellshire
63. Thorncreek
    …

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!

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?

50. Overland Park
51. Twin Peaks
52. Aurora Hills
53. Eagle Trace
54. Indian Tree
55. Flatirons
56. Kennedy
57. Broken Tee
58. Hyland Hills
59. Buffalo Run
60. Foothills
61. Spring Valley
62. Wellshire
    …

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!

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.

50. Overland Park
51. Twin Peaks
52. Aurora Hills
53. Eagle Trace
54. Indian Tree
55. Flatirons
56. Kennedy
57. Broken Tee
58. Hyland Hills
59. Buffalo Run
60. Foothills
61. Spring Valley
    …

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!

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.

A nice, parkland links-ish course with (as of the last time I played) good conditions and true greens. Public golf as it’s meant to be. Probably the first one in my rankings I wouldn’t even second guess re-visiting at all.

It doesn’t fall into the straight back and forth design of a place like Overland, and it’s not flat as can be like Flatirons. Carries that can challenge from the tips on a few holes, and it will trick you with angles of attack. Tree lined fairways force either medicine taking or creative shots to get out of trouble.

A no-frills vibe, but far from a dog track either. And the clubhouse is outstanding! Got some specialty cocktails and relaxed if only because it was that nice a place to relax after the round.

50. Overland Park
51. Twin Peaks
52. Aurora Hills
53. Eagle Trace
54. Indian Tree
55. Flatirons
56. Kennedy
57. Broken Tee
58. Hyland Hills
59. Buffalo Run
60. Foothills
    …

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!

Interesting case here for me. Layout wise, plays closer to a style of golf I should really enjoy. But, while I try to not let conditions sway my opinions strongly, in this case it was a hinderance enough to dock some points.

A winding neighborhood-esq layout. There are some tee shots that force a club selection that makes the round interesting, like the short par 5 second. Some fairways easy to hit, others ask you to take less club. But the greens are often protected by bunkers where playing a rolling shot in does not become an option for a longer approach.

The price is very right, and hopefully the clubhouse renovation adds some pop (as a man who loves a post-round cold beer).

50. Overland Park
51. Twin Peaks
52. Aurora Hills
53. Eagle Trace
54. Indian Tree
55. Flatirons
56. Kennedy
57. Broken Tee
58. Hyland Hills
59. Buffalo Run
    …

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!

I live pretty near this course, so I’m pretty often out on both the 9 and 18-hole tracks (this ranking is for the 18, but the Blue course is fun too!). Another course that, forrrr the most part, is welcoming to all golfers. The biggest caveat to that is 3 out of 4 of the par-threes are forced carries over water. Which even gives me issues from the tips when the carry ask is 190 yards on a few of them.

While I would not name it the most inspired layout, it absolutely is exciting. Almost every hole has some amount of shape and feels different from the last.

The price is right (as golf prices go these days anyway) for what the course is. And there is some very interesting decisions to be made on some of the holes in a risk/reward context.

For anybody who has played here, you can’t tell me you haven’t thought about taking an axe to the fairway tree on 15…

50. Overland Park
51. Twin Peaks
52. Aurora Hills
53. Eagle Trace
54. Indian Tree
55. Flatirons
56. Kennedy
57. Broken Tee
58. Hyland Hills
    …

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!

Not much to say on this one! I played it last year. First 6 holes were in rough condition and the layout was uninspired. But it gets a lot better from 7 onward.

I like some of the tee shots requiring not just a fairway hit, but a correct angle into the green depending on pin position.

Just south of downtown off the highway, this is a home course for many. I like it for what it is! And it honestly feels bad to put it so low in the list… but there’s so many good courses to come.

50. Overland Park
51. Twin Peaks
52. Aurora Hills
53. Eagle Trace
54. Indian Tree
55. Flatirons
56. Kennedy
57. Broken Tee
    …

I think having this above some of my others will miff some people. Some golfers HATE Kennedy.

For me, frankly, I just like the creek 9. It’s a particular test of golf that I enjoyed last time I played it. Maybe it helps I had a stellar round too.

Another city of Denver course, which for the most part plays like a parkland links style, but with some unique holes thrown in for sure. It’s not particularly up-kept well, and the clubhouse is a sad, smelly joke. City, muni golf at its most city-y muni-y. But play from the tips and get some interesting decisions to make off the tee. And I think it’s a place you can bring a golfer of any skill (and based on some of the play I’ve seen here, it may be frequented by non-golfers all together too).

This is an interesting one for the list because there are 27 holes, but Babe Lind to Creek seems to be the most common 18 and it’s what i’m using in my head for the rankings.

50. Overland Park
51. Twin Peaks
52. Aurora Hills
53. Eagle Trace
54. Indian Tree
55. Flatirons
56. Kennedy
    …

Kind of crazy this is the only public course in Boulder. I didn’t golf much at my time at CU (hard to afford golf and school), but this was always a good option.

Yet again, a classic parkland links layout. Just missing some of what makes CO golf so great like elevation changes. The range always being off mats is a bummer too for people in the Boulder area looking for a real range for practice near home.

Again, I got screwed by tree lined fairways last time I played here. But there is some strategy to be made. Lots of tee boxes ask for a forced carry or a smarter layup, and some water that makes it hard to play some stock shots. I’ll miss playing 18 followed by dinner and beers at the Dark Horse (RIP).

50. Overland Park
51. Twin Peaks
52. Aurora Hills
53. Eagle Trace
54. Indian Tree
55. Flatirons
    …

Coming in at 46/50 for me is Indian Tree. I don’t really have much to say on this one. It’s been a year at least since I’ve played it, I know they have done some amount of work since then.

From what I remember, the conditions were actually pretty good when I played. The low ranking is mostly due to the uninspired layout. But it’s a good, cheaper, all-golfer friendly course.

Otherwise, another classic parkland links layout. I got absolutely destroyed by some of the tree lined fairways. My driver was all over the place at the time so I remember hitting punch shots every other hole just to get myself to a spot to have a look. Very walkable, and a few interesting risk / reward tee shots. Hopefully I can play it again some time soon with far more accurate tee shots.

50. Overland Park
51. Twin Peaks
52. Aurora Hills
53. Eagle Trace
54. Indian Tree
    …

It’d be a bummer to lose this place. Anybody have any updates about the water rights?

Coming in at 47/50 is Eagle Trace for me. Despite being low on the list, I do love this place. Was walking 18 holes for $40 during the off season here, one of the cheapest deals around. Also have my lowest round shot here (which I hardly brag about. Hard winter conditions and no rough really carried the round).

Despite being a muni’s muni, there are some actually clever hole designs, especially on the back nine. I actually think this place could be much more than it is now with some maintenance. And i don’t know how but the walk back from 5 green to 6 tee needs a rework. But we may lose it all together. Last I heard, the course was losing its water rights soon.

I had a comment on my last post doubting if I actually play these courses, so i’m gonna start posting my best round from each one. I’m around a 9 handicap and usually average in the low to mid 80s for reference, so very happy with my best score here.

The list so far:
50. Overland Park
49. Twin Peaks
48. Aurora Hills
47. Eagle Trace
…

Coming in at #48 out of 50 of the greater Denver area public courses (in my humble opinion) is Aurora Hills. The fact that this muni comes in so low should say something about just how good golf in CO is. It’s a perfectly acceptable and accessible track, and friendly to all skill levels.

Nearly impossibly to lose a ball (but very easy to accidentally hit a group or get hit by a group one fairway over). And what has to be the most discussed hole in all of Colorado golf, the controversial #10.

50. Overland Park
51. Twin Peaks
52. Aurora Hills
    …

Next in my rankings of the greater Denver area golf courses. I’m close to playing 50 courses that are, depending on where in town you live, less than an hour away. Some asked on my last post to see my full rankings, which I will post some time soon. For now, here’s a public version of my spreadsheet. Feel free to make a copy, fill it out, and see how many you still have to play!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ds9NBzl9T1ToDjctdrGq8DFhmQ2O1BrcvKuZf1K39\_Y/edit?usp=sharing

Coming in just above Overland, for me, is Twin Peaks. True parkland links, what you see is what you get. There’s some fun golf to be played and scoring opportunities, but lack of variety keeps this one low in the rankings for me. Nearly every green is elevated with uninspired bunkers protecting. (Nothing wrong with elevated greens, but having basically all of them be just gets same-y). Also some condition issues with the drought but it could be worse, far from a mine field. But it’s super walkable, beginner friendly, and not snooty in the slightest.

Rankings so far:
50. Overland Park
49. Twin Peaks
…

I’ve counted exactly 50 public, 18-hole, “full length” (6600 yards or more) golf courses in the greater Denver area. The rough stipulation is the course had to be an hour or less drive away from the city. My goal has been to play them all. As of right now, I’ve played 47/50. And plan on getting the final 3 very soon.

Anyway, wanted to start sharing my thoughts. I’ve been tracking these courses in a spreadsheet including how far out the tee times are available and my personal rankings.

Something had to come in last, and for me, it’s Overland. Honestly, it’s actually a fine track and I still enjoyed it. But rough conditions, bland layout, and rude club staff got this one ranking the lowest. But I really do get why people like it as well.

What’s your least favorite full length course in the Denver area? Am I being too harsh on Overland having it be the lowest in my ranking?

If it was easy to get 7:00am tee times, I would do it. But even teeing off at 9:00 these days, the near 100 degree weather is killing me. Looking at my last scorecard, you can tell exactly when it got too hot to concentrate. How are y’all handling it? Maybe I just need to stop being a baby and bring some ice packs with me…