Greetings, golf enthusiasts and altitude adventurers! It’s your favorite San Diego slice specialist, Linda Parker, coming at you from the Mile-High City. That’s right, I’ve traded in my Torrey Pines views for Rocky Mountain vistas, and let me tell you, the air up here is thinner than my chances of ever breaking par.
Now, you might be wondering, “Linda, what on earth are you doing in Denver? Did you take a wrong turn at Albuquerque?” Well, my dear golf addicts, I’m here on a mission: to uncover the best golf courses Denver has to offer. And let me tell you, this city is serving up more golfing hotspots than I have Stone IPAs in my cooler (and that’s saying something).
So strap in, adjust your altitude sickness medication, and let’s tee off on this Rocky Mountain golfing adventure!
1. Cherry Hills Country Club: Where Legends (and Linda) Roam
First up on our Denver golf tour is the crème de la crème, the holy grail of Colorado golf: Cherry Hills Country Club. This place is so exclusive, I had to convince them I was Arnold Palmer’s long-lost cousin twice removed just to get a tee time.
Course Highlights:
- 18 holes of pure, manicured perfection
- Host to multiple U.S. Opens and PGA Championships
- More history than my list of golf-related excuses
Linda’s Experience:
Picture this: I’m standing on the first tee, trying to look like I belong (spoiler alert: I don’t), when I overhear someone mention that this is where Arnold Palmer famously drove the green on the par-4 first hole to win the 1960 U.S. Open. Naturally, I decided to channel my inner Arnie.
I stepped up, gave my best Palmer hitch of the trousers, and swung for the fences. The good news? My ball did make it to the green. The bad news? It was the 9th green, which is in the complete opposite direction. I’d like to say it was because of the altitude, but let’s be honest, that’s just a typical Linda tee shot.
Pro Tip: If you somehow manage to score a round here, bring your A-game, your best country club attire, and maybe a few spare balls. The rough is thicker than my excuse for that wayward drive.
2. Fossil Trace Golf Club: Where Dinosaurs and Duffers Collide
Next up is Fossil Trace Golf Club, a course that’s part golf challenge, part Jurassic Park. Designed by Jim Engh, this course is proof that Mother Nature and golf course architects can create pure magic when they put their heads together.
Course Highlights:
- 18 holes of scenic beauty and challenging golf
- Actual dinosaur fossils visible on the course (no, really!)
- More elevated tees than my blood pressure after a three-putt
Linda’s Adventure:
I arrived at Fossil Trace ready to make history, though I was hoping for more of a golfing legacy than a paleontological discovery. The course was stunning, with dramatic elevation changes that made me grateful for the cart. (Who says golf isn’t a workout?)
The signature 12th hole is where things got interesting. There I was, lining up my shot between 20-foot pillars of sandstone, when I swear I heard a dinosaur roar. Turns out, it was just my playing partner snoring in the cart. But for a moment, I felt like I was in a golfing version of “The Land Before Time.”
Pro Tip: Bring a camera. The views are spectacular, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll want photographic evidence of the one time you actually hit the fairway.
3. CommonGround Golf Course: Where the Common Folk (Like Me) Can Shine
For those of us who don’t have a trust fund or a time machine to the Mesozoic era, there’s CommonGround Golf Course. This public course is proof that you don’t need to sell a kidney to play great golf in Denver.
Course Highlights:
- 18 holes of surprisingly challenging golf
- Stunning views of the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains
- A price tag that won’t make your wallet weep
Linda’s Lowdown:
I’ll be honest, I came to CommonGround with low expectations. Public course, reasonable green fees… I assumed it would be about as exciting as watching paint dry. Boy, was I wrong.
The course was in impeccable condition, with greens smoother than my attempts at flirting with the beverage cart guy. And the views? Let’s just say I spent more time admiring the Rocky Mountains than I did searching for my ball in the rough (which is saying something).
The par-3 4th hole nearly gave me a heart attack. It’s not often you have to hit over a massive crater to reach the green. I’m proud to say I cleared it… on my third attempt. The first two balls are now part of Denver’s geological record.
Pro Tip: Don’t let the “public course” label fool you. This track can bite. Bring your A-game, and maybe a sherpa for some of those uphill walks.
4. The Ridge at Castle Pines North: Where Every Hole is a Postcard
If you’re looking for a course that combines challenging golf with views that’ll make your Instagram followers weep with envy, look no further than The Ridge at Castle Pines North.
Course Highlights:
- 18 holes of Tom Weiskopf-designed brilliance
- Elevation changes that’ll make your head spin (or maybe that’s just the altitude)
- More pine trees than a Christmas tree lot
Linda’s Saga:
I arrived at The Ridge feeling confident. After all, I’d been in Denver for a few days now. Surely, I’d acclimated to the altitude, right? Wrong.
My first drive on the par-5 1st hole was a thing of beauty. It soared through the thin air like an eagle… and then kept going, and going, and going. I think it finally landed somewhere near Colorado Springs. Note to self: Club down at altitude.
The rest of the round was a blur of breathtaking views, challenging shots, and me trying not to drive the cart off a cliff while admiring said views. The par-3 14th hole, with its island green, nearly did me in. Let’s just say I contributed significantly to the local aquatic ecosystem.
Pro Tip: Bring extra balls, extra sunscreen, and maybe an oxygen tank. The views (and the golf) will leave you breathless.
5. Arrowhead Golf Club: Where Golf Meets the Flintstones
Last but certainly not least on our Denver golf tour is Arrowhead Golf Club. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to play golf in Bedrock, wonder no more.
Course Highlights:
- 18 holes nestled among 300-foot red sandstone rock formations
- More dramatic backdrops than a soap opera
- A course that’s as challenging as it is beautiful
Linda’s Rock ‘n’ Roll:
Pulling up to Arrowhead, I felt like I’d stepped onto the set of a golf-themed Western. The red rocks looming over the course were both awe-inspiring and slightly terrifying. I half expected John Wayne to ride up and challenge me to a putting contest.
The par-3 13th hole is where things got really interesting. Picture this: you’re hitting from an elevated tee, with red rocks framing the green like a picture frame, and a hanging valley off to the right that’s just begging for your ball. Naturally, I obliged and donated not one, but two balls to the cause.
But the real adventure came on the par-4 15th. My drive (miraculously) found the fairway, but my approach shot ricocheted off one of the giant red rocks and came straight back at me like a boomerang. I’d like to say I caught it coolly with one hand, but in reality, I squealed and ducked like I was being attacked by a swarm of bees.
Pro Tip: Bring your camera, your sense of adventure, and maybe a helmet. Those red rocks can turn a decent golf shot into a game of pinball real quick.
In Conclusion: Denver’s Golf Scene is Higher Than My Handicap
After a week of mile-high golfing, I can confidently say that Denver’s golf scene is hotter than a fresh stone-baked pizza at the 19th hole. From exclusive country clubs to public gems, from dinosaur fossils to red rock formations, Denver offers a golfing experience that’s as varied and exciting as my excuses for yet another double bogey.
Sure, the altitude might make you feel a bit light-headed (or maybe that’s just the craft beer), and you might need to relearn how far you hit each club. But trust me, the challenges are worth it for the views alone.
So the next time you’re thinking about a golf trip, consider Denver. Just remember to pack your sense of humor, some extra balls, and maybe a geology textbook. You’ll need all three.
Until next time, may your drives be straight, your putts be true, and your altitude sickness be minimal!
Cheers from the Mile-High City,
Linda 🏌️♀️🏔️
P.S. If anyone needs me, I’ll be at the Denver airport, trying to convince security that my collection of rock souvenirs from Arrowhead are “essential golf equipment.” Wish me luck!