Best Denver Golf Courses & Clubs

From the vast plains east of Denver to the snowcapped peaks to the west, Colorado is blessed with an extraordinary landscape, perfect for dramatic golf courses. There are more than 200 public and resort courses in the state, designed by world-famous architects and tucked into the most scenic nooks and crannies. And best of all, it can be played year-round in the Denver metro area thanks to mild weather. Here's a look at some of the best public and resort golf courses you can play that are easily accessible from Denver. 

City Park Golf Course

For some great skyline and mountain views, check out the revamped 18-hole, par-70 course, designed by the renowned Hale Irwin. (City Park Golf Course reopened for play in spring 2021.) The venue also features a new state-of-the-art clubhouse, full-size driving range, large putting green, chipping green and junior course.  A full-service restaurant and patio also make this a great urban hangout. 

Willis Case Golf Course

Only about seven minutes from downtown, the landscape opens up and you're treated with some of the best panoramic views of the Rocky Mountain Range from the venue's back deck. It's a challenging and beautiful course with mature trees and sloping fairways. Juniors can practice for free on the junior course where The First Tee of Denver hosts clinics and lessons.

Fox Hollow Golf Course

Fox Hollow in Lakewood offers 27 championship holes on three distinctly different nines, wide open spaces, Rocky Mountain vistas, sparkling streams and wildlife. A choice of five sets of tees allows for all golfers to feel at home. With the potential combination of different nines and different tees, the avid golfer need not tire of playing at Fox Hollow. Golf Digest recognized Fox Hollow as a Top 10 course in its category. After golf, The Den at Fox Hollow offers great food and drink.

Wellshire Golf Course

Looking for a country club atmosphere at an affordable price? This south Denver course is the only public course west of the Mississippi boasting a Donald Ross design. Famous golfers like Ben Hogan have played here. There's a junior golf course as well as practice greens. The driving range has been closed for renovation, so check to see the latest status. 

Overland Park Golf Course

Play on hallowed grounds on this course, which was the original Denver Country Club and is the oldest running course west of the Mississippi. Only minutes from downtown, you'll get skyline and mountain views. Overland caters to experienced golfers with its narrow fairways and small greens but also has a junior course and clinics. All levels can practice on the grass driving range. 

Arrowhead Golf Club

There's little wonder why Colorado AvidGolfer's readers have consistently rated Arrowhead in Littleton as Colorado's "Most Scenic Course" and the "Best Course to Bring Out-of-Staters." Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s 6,636-yard 1974 masterwork weaves through towering sandstone monoliths and canyons setting up some of the most awe-inspiring views you've ever witnessed on a golf course—or anywhere. With upgraded maintenance, course conditions now rival the majesty of the surroundings.

Evergreen Golf Course

For some even higher altitude fun where golf balls fly extra far, check out this mountain jewel only 25 minutes from Denver. This 18-hole executive course in Evergreen sits at 7,220 feet along Bear Creek on rolling hills with fairways lined with pine trees. Don't be surprised to see wildlife like elk, deer and red-tailed hawks. Dine on the deck at Keys on the Green Restaurant. Evergreen is a great escape from the summer heat in the valley. 

Homestead Golf Course

Get ready to use every club in your bag. Homestead, in Lakewood, is a short championship, links-style course with challenging features. The manicured grounds offer practice facilities, target and putting greens, sand areas and an enchanting clubhouse with captivating views.

Springhill Golf Course

Looking for a hole-in-one? Here's your chance but it won't be easy. Springhill in Aurora has an executive 18-hole course with 10 par-3 holes. The wide open spaces are great for those who like to walk the fairways. 

Aurora Hills Golf Course

This is yet another fun course in Aurora with a long layout combined with a mixture of mature trees, water features and native areas. It was Aurora's first public golf course.

Broadmoor Golf Club

With a trio of world-class courses flanking an august five-star hotel, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs is easily the most luxurious golf resort in Colorado­-and arguably one of the best in the country. Stay for a few days to experience each course along with all the amenities and superb restaurants this historic getaway has to offer. Originally crafted by Donald Ross in 1917 and combined with Robert Trent Jones' 1965 design, the 7,275-yard East Course is one of only a dozen North American and Caribbean resort courses to receive a five-star rating from Golf Digest. The West Course, which is also a Ross-Jones hybrid, is considerably shorter than the East (6,954 yards) and features more doglegs and steeper elevation changes. The recently remodeled Mountain Course has a more modern design and reaches a whopping 7,552 yards. The Broadmoor was the site of two U.S. Amateur Championships, five NCAA Championships and the 1995 U.S. Women's Open, just to name a few. It will also host this year's U.S. Senior Open and the 2011 U.S. Women's Open.

Harvard Gulch Golf Course

Short on time? Check out this 9-hole, par-3 course in south Denver. You can knock it out in about an hour. The course has small, bunkered greens, scenic water hazards and stately trees. They also have night golf events as well. 

Kennedy Golf Course

Take your pick: 27 holes of regulation golf or 9 holes of par 3 golf. Kennedy, across from Cherry Creek Reservoir in south Denver, also has a putt-putt course, driving range, snack bar and restaurant. It's a great venue for the whole family. 

Saddle Rock Golf Course

This high plains, links-style course has tested the best players in the state as a former home to the Colorado Open. Located in Aurora, it's also known for its panoramic views. Look for native areas, creek features and strategically placed trees for a challenging day out. 

Murphy Creek Golf Course

All levels of golfers will appreciate this prairie-links course in Aurora with spectacular Rocky Mountains views, plus more than 60 bunkers, innovative water features and wide rolling fairways.

Meadow Hills Golf Course

One of the best values in the Denver metro area, Meadow Hills in Aurora has large lakes and lush grounds, giving it the look and feel of an old country club.

Green Valley Ranch Golf Club

Home to all three Colorado Open Championships and located 20 minutes from downtown Denver, Green Valley Ranch is in a perfect location for golfers looking for a convenient and challenging round. Make par or better on each of the last three holes and you'll earn a free drink. That's because the course's homestretch is one of the toughest in the state, especially the 639-yard, double-dogleg eighteenth. There's also an outstanding par-three course and the renowned McGetrick Golf Academy, making Green Valley Ranch one of the most family-friendly courses in Colorado. 

Fossil Trace Golf Club

Aside from Jim Engh's ubiquitous multi-tiered greens and deep grass-faced bunkers, you'll have to navigate around the ruins of a chimney in the middle of the first fairway as well as rusted mining equipment and a series of rock outcroppings and cliffs on two of the back nine's par fives. Some might consider such hazards gimmicky, but almost all agree that Fossil Trace is downright fun. Book your tee time early, as this Golden experience tends to fill up fast.

The Ridge at Castle Pines North

Former PGA Tour great Tom Weiskopf seems to have a knack for designing mountain courses and The Ridge at Castle Pines is a prime example. Located just minutes outside of Denver in Castle Rock, The Ridge is nestled into towering pine forests and offers two distinctly different nines. The front nine on this 6,939-yard layout is closed in by homes, but features some thrilling holes, like the downhill par-four ninth that sets up unobstructed views of Pikes Peak. The more secluded back nine runs through dense pines and outcroppings. Consistently rated the "Best Course to Hold an Event" by Colorado AvidGolfer magazine, The Ridge also offers top-notch dining, service and one of the best clubhouses in the state.

Riverdale Dunes Golf Course

Pete and Perry Dye crafted Riverdale Dunes, which is located in the northern suburb of Brighton. What the course lacks in dramatic tee shots and scenery, it makes up for in strategy and solid design. Each hole cuts through rolling grass knolls, and several holes, like the intimidating par-four fifteenth, border one of the site's enormous lakes.

The Golf Club at Bear Dance

Located in Larkspur, 30 minutes south of Denver, The Golf Club at Bear Dance was rated the "Best Public or Resort Course" in the Denver region for 2008 by Colorado AvidGolfer's expert panel. Stretching to more than 7,200 yards, Bear Dance features a variety of challenges and wickedly tough greens. Very few homes border the course giving it an isolated feel. Bear Dance is also home to the Colorado PGA Historical Museum.

Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks

Colorado AvidGolfer's panel ranked the Raven the "Best Public or Resort Course (Mountains)." Competition for this honor has been increasingly fierce as courses keep popping up in the high country, but the Raven is consistently at the peak. The 2000 Hurzdan/ Fry/Lehman layout features some of the state's most inspiring mountain panoramas and dramatic holes, like the downhill, par-three eighth. Located an hour west of Denver, the Raven at Three Peaks is one of Colorado's premier mountain golf courses.

The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa

It's a bit of a drive from Denver (about two hours), but it's worth the day trip to experience this Jim Engh masterpiece that's woven into red crags and canyons between downtown Grand Junction and the Colorado National Monument. Dizzying tee boxes and wild fairway and green contours combine to make Redlands Mesa an unforgettable golf experience.

Miniature Golf

Aqua Golf

Aqua Golf offers two 18-hole miniature golf courses, a signature water driving range and indoor table tennis. 

Adventure Golf and Raceway

Adventure Golf and Raceway provides exactly what the name implies: themed miniature golf courses with water features and lush gardens, environmentally-friendly electric go-karts, bumper cars and a target gallery.