Golfing in the Denver Metro area offers three hundred plus days of sun, stunning vistas and dozens of amazing courses to play. You may think the season ends in October and resumes in April, but locals golf as long as the courses are clear of snow, which is most of winter. Add the Mile High city on your list of travel golf destinations to visit, you won't be disappointed.
1. CASTLE PINES
Designed by one of the best to ever walk a fairway, this Jack Nicklaus-designed course is quite possibly the best course in Colorado, not just the Denver metro. Golfers will be awed by incredible views of the Rocky Mountains and Denver skyline. The Country Club at Castle Pines was named one of the Top 100 Golf Shops in 2015. Just 30 minutes south of downtown Denver, the course weaves seamlessly into the Rocky Mountain landscape.
2. ARROWHEAD GOLF CLUB
Drive a little to the southwest and you'll be rewarded with an amazing golf experience at the Robert Trent Jones-designed Arrowhead Golf Club. Located near the gorgeous Roxborough Park area, this course boasts of being like "no other in Colorado." Awe-inspiring red sandstone rocks house some of the state's most diverse wildlife, including: deer, elk and fox. With a variety of dramatic elevation changes and interesting holes, this course will provide even the best of players a challenge.
3. GREEN VALLEY RANCH GOLF CLUB
Green Valley Ranch Golf Club has something for every level of golf enthusiast. As a semi-private club, its friendly and efficient staff aims to treat everyone with the respect, whether they are one-time guests or club members. Players are required to wear a collared shirt and pants which eliminates the jeans and tanks not everyone wants to see on a golf course. The course is nicely taken care of and the greens are smooth and helpful to those trying to make that all-important putt. The trees and bunkers are definitely a pretty scene to walk through, and the driving range and putting areas are plentiful and pretty. For those who are seeking to improve their game, Green Valley Ranch offers an excellent golf academy for all ages. Travelers with some time to spare are in luck as this golf club is very close to DIA. Why not enjoy a round of golf before catching a flight?
4. CHERRY HILLS
In 1960 Cherry Hills hosted what many consider the greatest tournament in championship golf history. A young Arnold Palmer, who had won the Masters that April, was seven shots behind heading into the final round of the U.S. Open. In the locker room before the final round, Palmer asked his friend and longtime Pittsburgh sportswriter Bob Drum what it might take to win the Open and what a 65 might do for this chances. Drum responded: "For you, nothing. You are too far back." Palmer drove the 346-yard par-4 first hole and proceeded to birdie the four holes and six of the first seven. Palmer's 65 and a 72-hole total of 280 (four under) was his first and only U.S. Open championship. Meanwhile, Ben Hogan was gunning for a record fifth Open title, and saw his fate sealed at the par-5 17th hole when his third shot spun back into the water. He followed his bogey at 17 with a triple bogey at 18 to finish four shots back. Playing with Hogan, the 20-year old amateur Jack Nicklaus bogeyed the final hole and finished second, two stokes behind Palmer. His second place finish was the best by an amateur since 1933 and has not been achieved since.
5. FOSSIL TRACE GOLF CLUB
This course has been honored multiple times as one of Denver's best. Indeed, Fossil Trace is a must stop for anyone playing Colorado's premier public golf courses. Designed by renowned golf course architect Jim Engh, the course is located in historic Golden. It is nestled adjacent to the foothills of the Rocky Mountain Front Range and only 20-minutes from downtown Denver.
6. COLORADO NATIONAL GOLF CLUB
Colorado National is the exclusive golf course of the University of Colorado's mens and womens golf teams. The golf course is spaced over 232 acres of land with strategically placed bunkers and lakes, and only 2 holes that run alongside each other. The elevation changes, water features, and mountain views of Long's Peak and Mount Meeker provide the golfer with a wonderful tranquil experience. The golf course hosted two college events in 2010, as well as the Men's NCAA Regionals in 2011.
7. CITY PARK GOLF COURSE
Set aside a summer day for a relaxing and fun round of golf that does not have to break the bank. Golf is supposed to be fun and playing on this pretty city course means less pressure and no crazy dress codes. Shoot a round of golf while soaking up the sun and the beauty of the spectacular Downtown Denver skyline. For those who may take numerous times to sink their shots, the fairways are roomy and the greens are not overly difficult. Visitors to Downtown Denver can combine a fabulous couple of days with a round of golf, a visit to the Denver Zoo and The Museum of Nature & Science across the street and all the city nightlife anyone can handle.
8. KENNEDY GOLF COURSE
Well known as one of the best values for a challenging course with affordable rates, Kennedy Golf Course offers both in a nice convenient location. It has 27 holes to enjoy along with three full-length 9-hole courses and a par-3 course. For those learning towards kicking back with some fun, Kennedy offers a nice little putt putt course and driving range. Tee times are not only reasonably priced they are fairly easy to get. Located in the DTC area near Cherry Creek Reservoir, this course is well shaded by large trees and has well-maintained fairways. With all that Kennedy has to offer, why not enjoy a round of golf on a summer day with family or friends and not have to break the bank to do it?
9. INDIAN TREE GOLF CLUB
Indian Hills takes being a puclic course to the next level. It has a good mix of difficult and some not so difficult holes. The course's greens are always in great shape. Golfers will experience challenging elevation changes along with scenic beauty.
10. LEGACY RIDGE
Opened in 1994, this Arthur Hills design measures 7,157 yards from the championship tees, shrinking to 5,315 yards from the red tees. This Colorado-style Scottish links layout targets players of all levels with four tee boxes on every hole, wide fairways, generous landing areas and greens that average more than 6,000 square feet. Legacy Ridge also takes full advantage of the sweeping mountain views, wetlands, prairie grasses and gently rolling topography.
11. COLORADO GOLF CLUB
Challenges abound for golfers of all skill levels. The Championship Course, which features multiple lines of play and approach, opened to international acclaim in 2007. Named one of the world’s top 10 new courses that year, GOLF Magazine named it the top new private course of the year and one of "10 to Watch" worldwide.
12. DENVER COUNTRY CLUB
The Oldest Country Club West of the Mississippi. The private club features an 18 hole course originally designed by James Foulis. The course has 3 sets of tees for different skill level and measures 6798 yards from the longest tees and measures 6798 yards from the longest tees.
13. RIVERDALE DUNES GOLF COURSE
Pete and Perry Dye crafted Riverdale Dunes, which is located in the northern suburb of Brighton. What the course lacks in dramatic tee shots and scenery, it makes up for in strategy and solid design. Each hole cuts through rolling grass knolls, and several holes, like the intimidating par-four fifteenth, border one of the site's enormous lakes.
14. RED HAWK RIDGE
Located just south of Denver in the upscale community of Castle Rock, the Jim Engh-designed Red Hawk Ridge delivers long views from its high ground. Opened in 1999, this course will challenge and delight the casual player with its extreme elevation changes, abundant wildlife, rolling terrain and dramatic vistas. Watch out for the strategically placed bunkers, they'll make even a seasoned golfer put money in the swear jar.
15. BEAR CREEK GOLF CLUB
Designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, Bear Creek Golf Club sits on 211 acres of rugged terrain, with stunning views of the foothills. Many players feel that Bear Creek is Palmer’s masterpiece.
