Spending week in Denver

backinthegame · September 9, 2011

need some suggestions

Hey Denver area residents! Going to be in the Castle Pines area of Denver for a week, and am taking the sticks. I need some suggestions for affordable muni/public golf. I will probably only get one or two opportunities to play, and am on a budget.

Thanks!

Steel Ninja · September 9, 2011

Not a Denver area resident but go there many times a year for business.

My high recommendations that do not break the bank are:
1) Red Hawk Ridge in Castle Rock ($50-$75)
2) Fossil Trace in Golden ($50-$75)
3) Murphy Creek in Aurora ($50-75)

If you want true muni and cheaper courses try:
1) The Meadows in Littleton ($35-$50)
2) South Suburban in Littleton ($35-50)

An under-rated course is Deer Creek in Littleton. Beautiful semi-private course that has financially suffered but still highly maintains the actual golf course. $50 includes cart.

Golfnow.com has good deals in the area as well.

vanla01 · September 9, 2011

I highly recommend Bear Dance in Larkspur or The Ridge at Castle pines (the Ridge is own by Troon's golf). Both courses are fantastic this time of the year, you can't go wrong with either but if you want more of a mountain feel, definitely Bear Dance.

Steel Ninja · September 9, 2011

[quote name='vanla01' timestamp='1315587323' post='3553262']
I highly recommend Bear Dance in Larkspur or The Ridge at Castle pines (the Ridge is own by Troon's golf). Both courses are fantastic this time of the year, you can't go wrong with either but if you want more of a mountain feel, definitely Bear Dance.
[/quote]

I would highly recommend those as well but not not budget friendly courses as you requested. ($80-$125)

mr75204 · September 9, 2011

[quote name='SanDiegoSam' timestamp='1315587014' post='3553250']
Not a Denver area resident but go there many times a year for business.

My high recommendations that do not break the bank are:
1) Red Hawk Ridge in Castle Rock ($50-$75)
2) Fossil Trace in Golden ($50-$75)
3) Murphy Creek in Aurora ($50-75)

If you want true muni and cheaper courses try:
1) The Meadows in Littleton ($35-$50)
2) South Suburban in Littleton ($35-50)

An under-rated course is Deer Creek in Littleton. Beautiful semi-private course that has financially suffered but still highly maintains the actual golf course. $50 includes cart.

Golfnow.com has good deals in the area as well.
[/quote]

Well said,

Red Hawk is a great course. Murphy Creek is a BEAST from the tips

backinthegame · September 13, 2011

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys! I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Beautiful out here.

One_Putt_Blunder · September 13, 2011

Bear Dance is my favorite one up there and if you dont mind stretching the budget it is well worth the play. Fossil Trace is great choice too.

fore_life · September 13, 2011

Let us know what you play/your thoughts! I'll be up there the last weekend of sept to play some golf with my brother

sabram · September 16, 2011

The previous suggestions are good. I would add Riverdale Dunes and Common Ground as two of the very good choices to add to the list.

BENNYSUPREME · September 20, 2011

I would also say Fossil Trace, Bear Dance or the Air Force Academy. Just to say you have played a 8400+ course Antler Creek..

If you don't mind traveling couple hours south 4 mile ranch.

markjinc · September 21, 2011

Not to thread jack, nut I am too am going to Denver in 2 weeks. What is the best, most memorable course to play near Denver, price is no issue.

MrMileHigh · September 21, 2011

[quote name='markjinc' timestamp='1316629035' post='3580313']
Not to thread jack, nut I am too am going to Denver in 2 weeks. What is the best, most memorable course to play near Denver, price is no issue.
[/quote]

I live here in Denver and have played 90% of the public courses in and around Denver. If money is not an issue then try to play Arrowheard, Bear Dance, or The Ridge. Also, consider driving an hour up into the mountains for some fall golf. The leaves will be changing about that time and a round at Raven 3 Peaks, Keystone, or Breckenridge could be a nice outing.

I would also second Fossil Trace. There isn't a layout like it in the state and features some very interesting course design.

smoova · September 21, 2011

Just an FYI - Colorado AvidGolfer is running a deal where you can play a bunch of great courses (including The Ridge) for $52.80 each until October 2. [url="http://coloradoavidgolfer.com/golf-discounts/mile_high_golf"]Link here[/url]

sabram · September 21, 2011

[quote name='markjinc' timestamp='1316629035' post='3580313']
Not to thread jack, nut I am too am going to Denver in 2 weeks. What is the best, most memorable course to play near Denver, price is no issue.
[/quote]

If memorable scenerey is what you want, check out Arrowhead. The Ridge at castel Pines or Fossil Trace, here are links to my photos.

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/577425715VMZuzh"]Arrowhead & Ridge photos[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/578343768MIMgNw"]Fossil Trace photos[/url]

The stretch from 9-14 at Arrowhead in particular is pretty cool, but all 3 of these courses have a number of memorable holes.

markjinc · September 25, 2011

Looks like Arrowhead is where I'm going! Gotta love a website that shows a picture of a fairway with a wild grizzly bear on it.

fore_life · September 25, 2011

Which one is the best from a pure golf/course design standpoint, and not as much a scenic course?

sabram · September 28, 2011

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1317000747' post='3590648']
Which one is the best from a pure golf/course design standpoint, and not as much a scenic course?
[/quote]

A lot of golf course architecture geeks love Common Ground. It is a Tom Doak design. I liked it but didn't love it. It has a few excellent holes. The land is quite flat. The greens are tough and they are the most impressive feature at Common Ground along with some well placed fairway bunkers IMO. I'd also suggest The Riverdale Dunes course which is a Pete Dye course that Doak may have worked on when he was working for Dye.

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/577425715VMZuzh?start=132"]Common Ground pix[/url]

fore_life · September 28, 2011

Thanks for the info sabram.

FYI,
we are playing colorado national on sat, and then murphy creek on sunday. Looking forward to it!

smoova · September 28, 2011

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1317191434' post='3596827']
Thanks for the info sabram.

FYI,
we are playing colorado national on sat, and then murphy creek on sunday. Looking forward to it!
[/quote]

Solid choices (although I am biased because Murphy is my home track). The greens at MC are rolling really well right now. If you play it from the tips (or the blues, for that matter), you'll get a very good test. Have fun!

backinthegame · September 28, 2011

I ended up playing at The Foothills course, because The Meadows were aerating their greens. I thoroughly enjoyed my round. Very pretty course, interesting holes with lots of options, and not to difficult for someone who hasn't ever seen it before. Looking forward to getting back out there when I have a more flexible budget. Lots of gorgeous courses. We were staying with friends in Castle Pines, and the Ridge course had my mouth watering.

Thanks again for all the great suggestions!