Top 10 Public Golf Courses in Denver, Colorado

Top 10 Public Golf Courses in Denver, Colorado

denver Colorado Known for its mile high views crisp mountain air and a golf scene that might surprise you With public courses that deliver everything from classic Parkland layouts to dramatic mountain views it’s a golfer’s playground But which ones truly stand out Today we’re counting down the top 10 public golf courses in Denver These are the spots where the beauty challenge and fun come together Let’s tee it up Driven 10 Fox Hollow Golf Course Kicking off our list at number 10 is Fox Hollow Golf Course Nestled in the western suburb of Lakewood this 27hole facility gives players three distinct 9-hole experiences: Canyon Meadow and Lynx each with its personality and challenges The Canyon 9 delivers the most dramatic elevation changes and requires precision off the tea The Meadow as the name suggests offers a more forgiving layout with generous landing areas The Lynx 9 brings a taste of Scottish golf to Colorado with open approaches and challenging green complexes Water comes into play on 11 holes throughout the facility with Bear Creek winding through the property The practice facilities are top-notch including a spacious driving range and three putting greens Fox Hollow’s peak rates remain reasonable at under $70 for residents making it one of the better values on our list Don’t miss the signature sixth hole on the canyon course a downhill par three with the mountains framing your shot The clubhouse restaurant with its patio overlooking the course makes the perfect spot for a postround meal Number nine Murphy Creek Golf Course At number nine Murphy Creek brings a taste of Prairie Links Golf to the eastern edge of Aurora Designed by Ken Kavanaaugh and opened in 2000 this course pays homage to Golf’s roots with its rustic clubhouse resembling an old farmhouse and barn The layout is a refreshing departure from typical mountain or parkland courses Wide fairways stretch across the rolling terrain Strategic bunkering guards wellprotected greens and the everpresent Colorado wind adds another layer of challenge to your round Murphy Creek has hosted multiple USGA qualifying events and the 2008 US Amateur Public Links Championship proving its competitive credentials The course starts gently but builds in difficulty with the back nine demanding more precision and course management At Murphy Creek the practice facilities include a full driving range a short game area and a putting green The oldtime farmhouse setting of the clubhouse creates a unique atmosphere for pre or postround refreshments Number eight the ridge at Castle Pines Northation of nearly six layers of all of 7 Common Ground Golf Course At number seven we find Common Ground Golf Course in Aurora What makes this Tom Do special is its accessibility and walkability A true golfer’s golf course owned and operated by the Colorado Golf Association Common Ground embodies the spirit of public golf DOE’s minimalist approach features wide fairways strategically placed bunkers and subtle green complexes that reward creativity The front nine plays more openly while the back 9 introduces more trees and water The par 3/8 hole with its dramatic mountain backdrop is worth the visit alone Common Ground also features an outstanding short course called the kids course that’s perfect for beginners and families Common Ground delivers championship caliber golf without breaking the bank All just minutes from downtown Denver The practice facilities are expansive and the modest clubhouse focuses on the essentials Don’t miss the par 51 15th hole which offers a spectacular mountain panorama from the tea Number six Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club Our number six selection takes us to Southeast Aurora and Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club This Arthur Hills design blends seamlessly with the natural terrain featuring rolling fairways significant elevation changes and water coming into play on 10 holes What distinguishes Heritage Eagle Bend is its variety The front 9 plays relatively open with prairie style holes while the back 9 introduces more dramatic elevation changes and mountain views The signature par 313th hole requires a forced carryover water to a peninsula green both beautiful and intimidating While initially developed as a retirement community course Heritage Eagle Bend welcomes all public players The course delivers excellent conditions throughout the season and presents solid value for the quality of the layout and amenities The Mediterranean style clubhouse offers upscale amenities and dining with panoramic course views Number five Fossil Trace Golf Club Breaking into our top five is Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden This gym design is perhaps Denver’s most visually distinctive course Built on land that was once a clay mine filled with prehistoric fossils and dinosaur footprints some of which are preserved and visible near the 12th hole the course features signature flare with dramatic bunkering elevated greens and riskreward opportunities throughout The par 5 12th hole winding through 20 million-year-old sandstone pillars creates a golf experience you simply won’t find anywhere else Fossil Trace consistently ranks among Colorado’s most popular public courses so booking well in advance is recommended This is destination golf within minutes of downtown Denver Number four Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course At number four we head to Castle Rock for Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course This municipal gem offers some of the best value championship golf in the Denver region The course climbs and descends over 200 ft of elevation change providing dramatic views and challenging shotmaking requirements This municipal course opened in 1999 and was designed by Jim Ang to take full advantage of its dramatic setting Course architect Jim Ang who also designed our number five pick Fossil Trace masterfully incorporated the natural terrain into the layout Holes 13 through 16 comprise what locals call the Hawk’s Nest a spectacular four-hole stretch that climbs to the highest point on the property before dramatically descending The practice facilities here are exceptional featuring a fulllength driving range and a short game area The combination of scenery challenge and value earns Red Hawk its place in our top five Number three City Park Golf [Music] Course Our bronze medal goes to the beautifully renovated City Park Golf Course After a complete redesign completed in 2020 this historic municipal course has been transformed into one of Denver’s premier public golf experiences What makes City Park special is its location Situated minutes from downtown with unobstructed views of the Denver skyline and Rocky Mountains the Todd Shoda redesign masterfully incorporates these views while creating a strategic layout that’s both challenging and playable The course features bent grass fairways and greens an unusual luxury for a municipal facility The new clubhouse is spectacular and the expansive practice facility includes a driving range with top tracer technology City Park offers remarkable quality at municipal pricing Its combination of accessibility conditioning and skyline views secure its position in our top three Number two Arrowhead Golf Club Our runner up is the visually stunning Arrowhead Golf Club in Littleton Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr Arrowhead is framed by 300 ft red sandstone rock formations that create one of the most photographed golf settings in America Every hole at Arrowhead provides a different perspective of the dramatic Roxboro State Park landscape The Par 313th where you hit between massive red rock spires to a green backdropped by the foothills might be the most beautiful hole in Colorado Gulf While the scenery steals the show the Gulf itself is equally impressive Bent grass fairways and greens are impeccably maintained The layout demands precision rather than power with strategic bunkering and natural hazards throughout Arrowhead isn’t the most affordable option but the once-ina-lifetime setting justifies the splurge This is Colorado Golf at its most spectacular Hamburger one the Golf Club at Bear Dance And claiming our top spot as Denver’s best public golf course the Golf Club at Bear Dance in Larkspur This championship layout consistently earns recognition as Colorado’s finest public offering and for good reason Designed by Alan Burnbal and Tad King Bear Dance delivers a pure mountain golf experience with dramatic elevation changes towering pines and stunning views of the front range The course plays at over 6,800 ft elevation adding significant distance to your shots and making club selection a fascinating challenge Bear Danc’s conditioning rivals private clubs with immaculate bent grass surfaces from tea to green The layout features a perfect mix of challenging and forgiving holes with the signature par415th offering a riskreward opportunity that epitomizes strategic golf As home to the Colorado PGA headquarters Bear Dance hosts numerous state championships but remains welcoming to public players For the ultimate Denver Golf Experience Bear Dance stands alone at the summit That wraps up the countdown of the top 10 public golf courses in Denver Whether you’re chasing mountain views classic designs or tour tested layouts Denver’s got a course for you Did your favorite make the list Drop it in the comments and let us know which one you think deserves the top spot Hit that like button subscribe and turn on those notifications More golf city guides are coming your way soon See you out there C

Denver, Colorado offers some of the most scenic and underrated public golf in the country. From mountain views to lush parkland layouts, the Mile High City is a dream for golfers who want challenging elevation, crisp air, and stunning backdrops. In this video, I count down the top 10 public golf courses in and around Denver, including both city favorites and must-plays just outside the metro area.

📌 Please note: Some footage in this video may not be of the actual courses mentioned but is included to enhance the viewing experience.

Courses Featured:
🏌️‍♂️ Fossil Trace Golf Club (Golden, CO)
🏌️‍♂️ Arrowhead Golf Club (Littleton, CO – jaw-dropping red rock views)
🏌️‍♂️ CommonGround Golf Course (designed by Tom Doak)
🏌️‍♂️ City Park Golf Course (downtown skyline & mountain views)
🏌️‍♂️ Green Valley Ranch Golf Club (home of the Colorado Open)
🏌️‍♂️ The Ridge at Castle Pines North
🏌️‍♂️ Murphy Creek Golf Course
🏌️‍♂️ Wellshire Golf Course (historic Donald Ross design)
🏌️‍♂️ Kennedy Golf Course (affordable 27-hole muni)
🏌️‍♂️ Legacy Ridge Golf Course (Westminster, CO)

Why You’ll Love These Courses:
✅ Unmatched Mountain Views & Natural Scenery
✅ Challenging Elevation & Altitude Effect
✅ Championship-Caliber & Budget-Friendly Options
✅ Award-Winning Course Architecture
✅ Perfect Mix of Urban Access & Outdoor Escape

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