Best Golf Courses in Denver

If you’ve never played golf in the Mile High City, I’m here to tell you it’s a must do.  Not only is Denver one of the most vibrant cities in the west, there’s so much to see and do, it’s mind boggling.  One of our writers has a sister that lives here so naturally, he’s spent quite a bit of time in Denver.  And yes, that also means he’s played quite a bit of golf, as have I.

But we wanted to hear what others had to say.  Staying true to form, we asked our readers what they thought about public golf in Denver.  The culmination of our collective thoughts is below.

Let’s tee it high and let it fly!

 

 

The flagship course of the Foothill Golf Complex is the Meadows Course. This track’s slogan is “Country Club Conditions at Affordable Prices.”  That’s exactly what you’ll find.

Nestled in the shadow of the mighty Rocky Mountains, this links layout has a fair amount of room off the tee.  Trouble lurks however as plenty of bunkers, water hazards, and native grasses eat up offline shots.

The signature eighth hole is a real test.  A par three measuring over 200 yards, your tee shot is played over water to sloping green surrounded by bunkers.  No real good place to miss it here, just man up and hit a quality shot. 

One of the most affordable rounds in the Denver area and a pleasurable experience.

 

Designed by Arthur Hills and opened in 2007, Todd Creek Golf Club has quickly become one of Denver’s favorites. 

This is a big golf course from all the way back.  There’s plenty of room off the tee and the greens are expansive. 

If you play in the afternoon, expect it to be breezy.  This can make club selection difficult. 

Should you happen to have a morning tee time, make sure to leave enough time for breakfast at Zingers.  The food is tasty, the portions huge, and the prices more than fair.

One of the finer public facilities in the Denver area and always in tiptop shape.

 

Arrowhead offers one of the most picturesque rounds of golf in all of Colorado. 

Located in the town of Littleton, Arrowhead is surrounded by jagged geologic formations that are truly breathtaking.  The first time I played this course, I was blown away by its natural beauty.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Sr., Arrowhead will test your shot making skills and course management.  At just over 6,600 yards, where you place your shots is key.

The greens are some of the truest in the area, but you’ll want to stay on the right side of the pin.

Once you play your first round here, you’ll want to come back again and again.

Tom Weiskopf was the designer of the Ridge Course at Castle Pines North located just a few minutes south of Denver.

Characterized by generous fairways, carefully sculpted bunkers, and undulating greens, The Ridge Course provides a unique challenge for players of all abilities.

This track is a little on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for.  That’s evidenced by the countless accolades it’s received from the likes of Golf Digest, Golf Week, Golf Advisor, and Golf Magazine to name a few. 

The scenery is also second to none.  From nearly every point on the course, you’re afforded views of Pike’s Peak, Devil’s Head, Mt. Evans, and the rest of the Front Range.

Truly a memorable round of golf that’s worth the price of admission.

Home to the Buffalos of the University of Colorado, Colorado National Golf Club is one of my favorites.  As you know, I have a thing for golf courses that lay claim to the state in which they reside.

It’s also attractive that it was named “Best Value” in 2019.

This is another big test if you choose to tip it out.  The layout is spread out, so each hole has a unique feel all to its own. 

Both the amenities and views of the Front Range here are unforgettable. 

As one of the best bangs for your buck in the Denver area, I’d put Colorado National right near the top of your list.  Heck, I might even make the trip out to play with you at this place as I can’t get enough of.

 

Whenever I visit a new city and have my clubs in tow, I’m always wanting to find out about the network of city-owned and operated munis.  Denver doesn’t disappoint in this regard.

One of the premier city-owned facilities in Denver is Willis Case Golf Course.

Only seven minutes northwest of downtown, this course is conveniently located and a treat to play.

Narrow fairways and small, tricky greens are what you’ll find. 

A traditional western, old school parkland layout, the holes are next to each other here.  Perhaps that’s what lends to an air of intimacy at Willis Case. 

Straight forward, but welcomingly challenging, I can’t say enough positive things about Willis Case.

 

City Park is one of the oldest courses in Denver.  Here you’ll find a rich history of great Denver golf.

In recent years, the course has lost some of its luster.  Last time I played here it was clear that the place needed some work.

That’s exactly what’s happening at the time of this article.  The course is undergoing a wall-to-wall restoration including new turf and facility upgrades. 

In talking with someone who’s closely involved with the project, I’m told City Park will once again be the crown jewel of public golf in Denver.

I can’t wait to get back and check out this track.

 

Another course in the city-owned rota is Overland Park.  This course is steeped in history as well.  In fact, it was the original Denver Country Club back in the day and is the oldest running course west of the Mississippi River.

Conveniently located just a short drive from downtown, this course affords tremendous views of the city skyline and the front Range.

You’d best hit it straight at Overland Park.  The fairways are narrow and plenty of trees guard the edges. 

If putting on pure surfaces is your cup of tea, you won’t want to miss out on a round at Overland Park.  The greens here are the best of any public course in the city.

There might not be a public course with a more loyal following than Raccoon Creek. 

The course’s regulars boast about great playing conditions and fast, true greens.

If you want to work on your game, the practice facilities are first rate and on-staff PGA Professionals are competent instructors.

When you’re done with your round, be sure to stop by the Farmhouse for daily happy hour specials between 3:00 and 6:00.  The drinks are cold and the staff more than accommodating.

Buffalo Run is located on the outskirts of Denver in the town of Commerce City.

Designed by Keith R. Foster, this sprawling course affords vast views of both the surrounding prairie and the Rocky Mountains. 

A classic heathland design, there’s plenty of space at Buffalo Run.  However, the native grasses are never too far away and quickly sour your scorecard if you start to veer offline.

Known for having some of the best greens in all of Colorado, this is a pure golf experience at a fair price.

Conclusion

I relish every chance I get to visit Denver with my clubs in tow.  There’s so many great golf courses open to the public, it’s truly amazing.  And most of them are affordable.

If you haven’t made the trek to this great city, I highly recommend you do.  While you’re playing golf, there’s more than enough to keep the rest of the family busy.

As always, I extend my sincere thanks to our readers and contributors that made this article possible.  Let us know if we missed anything in the comments below.