Best Golf Courses In Colorado (Part 1)

Colorado AvidGolfer is a great resource for golfers throughout the Centennial state and is published 8 times a year. Every year, Colorado AvidGolfer announces its selections of the best golf courses in Colorado in categories like Best Mountain Courses and Best Course for Ladies. The special annual recognition is called the Caggy’s and features top courses based on survey results from real Colorado golfers as well as opinions from staff at Colorado AvidGolfer.  There are 3 to 4 winners in each category, voted on by golfers and magazine staffers. Over the next 2 posts, I’ve highlighted one staff pick and one survey pick from each category and pulled some real reviews from Google reviews. Let’s take a look at some of the results and see if you agree with these top picks!

Best Denver Region Course – Public/Resort (Survey Results)

1. Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course 

Located in Castle Rock, the Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course offers scenic views, a clubhouse grill featuring a place to grab a bite, a drink and to rest before or after your round. There are also special groups for ladies, men and juniors. Top reviews mention helpful staff, a challenging but fun course and beautiful views on and around the course. 

2. The Golf Club at Bear Dance 
3. Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club 

Best Denver Region Course – Public/Resort (Staff Picks)

1. Arrowhead Golf Club
2. CommonGround Golf Course
3. The Ridge at Castle Pines
4. Green Valley Ranch Golf Club

Located in northeast Denver between downtown and DIA, this unique course is easily accessible. This course offers players fun challenges, along with traditional play, such as a Par-3 course challenge, and championship tournaments including the Inspirato Colorado Opens. Top reviews mention amazing food at the clubhouse, great location and attentive staff. 

Best Front Range / Northeast Course (Survey Results)

1. TPC Colorado
2. Mariana Butte Golf Course

Located in the city of Loveland, about an hour away from Denver, this course offers tournaments, special events and attentive instructors.  Top reviews mention reasonable prices, a beautiful course with smooth greens and beautiful rocky scenery all around. A special note of unique trivia, this course was originally designed by my uncle, Richard Phelps!

3. Pelican Lakes Golf & Country Club

Best Front Range / Northeast Course (Staff Picks)

1. The Golf Club at Fox Acres
2. Estes Park Golf Club
3. RainDance National Golf Course

Located in Windsor, this golf experience boasts being the Longest Course in America! There’s also a unique clubhouse that was made from a grain silo.  Top reviews mention: big fairways, sharp greens and a unique and fun course theme.

Best Mountain Course Public/Resort (Survey Results)

1. Pole Creek Golf Club 
2. Breckenridge Golf Club
3. Eagle Ranch Golf Course

Located in Eagle, this course conveniently offers an indoor simulation system during Winter days when it’s too cold and snowy to play outside.  Top reviews mention: a well-maintained course, a challenge for good players and amazing views throughout.

Best Mountain Course Public/Resort (Staff Results)

1. Haymaker Golf Course
2. Keystone River Golf Course

Located in Summit County, this ever-popular course features elevation changes that are unique to a mountain golf course that people flock to in Colorado.  Golfers can enjoy scenic views and a flowing river nearby.  Top reviews mention fun obstacles, golf carts with GPS and stunning views. 

3. Red Sky Ranch – Fazio Course
4. Red Sky Ranch – Norman course

Best Western Slope Course  (Survey Results)

1. Redlands Mesa Golf Club

Located in Grand Junction, this course is part of a community with available homes and real estate.  Visitors love the location which seems to be carved into the Grand Valley.  Top reviews mention fabulous food at the clubhouse, challenging doglegs and spectacular views.  

2. Devil’s Thumb Golf Club
3. Battlement Mesa Golf Club

Best Western Slope Course (Staff Results)

1. The Bridges Golf and Country Club

Located in Montrose, this course is a golf course and country club so it features great events like live music on a regular basis.  This course is a Nicklaus design and visitors mention that it makes the course unique and challenging but in a fun way. Top reviews mention: accommodating staff, reasonable fees and great food. 

2. Dalton Ranch Golf Course
3. Lakota Links
4. Telluride Ski and Golf Club

Best Southern Course (Colorado Springs and below) – Public/Resort (Survey Results)

1. Walking Stick Golf Course
2. Country Club of Colorado at Cheyenne Mountain Resort
3. King’s Deer Golf Club

Located in Monument between Castle Rock and Colorado Springs, this course is designed by the Redstone Golf Group and offers 18 holes of play.  Top reviews mention easy access, Bluetooth accessible golf carts, the ability to order food before finishing playing and scenic views.  

Best Southern Course (Colorado Springs and below) – Public/Resort (Staff Results)

1. Kissing Camels at Garden of the Gods

Located in Colorado Springs, this fun course is named after the Garden of the Gods rock formation that resembles two 1-humped camels facing each other.  Surrounded by the famous Garden of the Gods guarantees beautiful, one-of-a-kind views, unique to many Colorado courses. Top reviews mention a 27-hole course, a fun place to host special celebrations and a course that all levels of golf skills can enjoy.

2. Patty Jewett Golf Course
3. Rio Grande Club

Best Practice Facility  (Survey Results)

1. The Golf Club at Bear Dance

Located in Larkspur, this course has also been voted the Best Denver Daily Fee Golf Course.  Players can book a tee time up to 90 days in advance and offers discounts for military and Seniors.  Top reviews mention friendly staff, pristine course and pretty views.

2. RainDance National Golf Course
3. Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club

Best Practice Facility  (Staff Results)

1. Colorado National Golf Club

Located in Erie, a part of Weld County, this course is where the University of Colorado golf team plays and practices. There are also great accommodations to host special events and outings.  Top reviews mention: great condition of the course, excellent food and twilight hours.  

2. Green Valley Ranch Golf Club
3. Murphy Creek Golf Course
4. The Ridge at Castle Pines

Best Walking  (Survey Results)

1. Applewood Golf Course
2. Aurora Hills Golf Course
3. CommonGround Golf Course

Located in Aurora, this unique course was designed by golf course architect, Tom Doak.  This course was designed for players of all levels to enjoy.  Top reviews include: great tee boxes, walkable grounds and beautiful green design.  

Best Walking  (Staff Results)

1. CityPark Golf Course

This course is located in Denver in the well-known City Park area of the Mile High City.  The surrounding scenery includes the best of both worlds: mountains and city views.  Top reviews include: great driving range practice area, well laid-out course and great redesigns as part of a recent remodel. 

2. Indian Peaks Golf Course
3. The Links Golf Course
4. Pelican Lakes Golf Club

Best Conditions  (Survey Results)

1. Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course
2. Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club

Located in Aurora, this course is part of a 45+ community and offers great views and reasonable prices. This course also offers tournaments, special events and opportunities to win free rounds of golf.  Top reviews mention: a beautiful and well-maintained course and a great value for the cost.

3. The Golf Club at Bear Dance

Do you agree with the courses on this list? Are you in the market to buy or sell your home?  Call and text me at (720) 323-4176 or email me at [email protected]