North Denver May 2-4th

[fore_life]

Hey guys,

 

Visiting my brother this coming weekend, and we are planning on playing friday, sat and sunday. He lives in northglenn, but as a fairly new resident, he hasnt played a ton of the courses in the area.

 

My last visit, we played Colorado National and Murphy Creek. Murphy Creek was solid, but a drive.

 

So any suggestions? I'm looking more for the hidden courses that offer value over tourist traps, if you know what I mean? I'd prefer to keep a MAX budget at like $80 and I'd rather pay $40 and be slightly pleased than $65 and slightly disappointed lol, walkable is a plus in my book.

 

My brother has played fossil trace, hyland hills gold, legacy ridge and riverdale dunes and some other in the area, but he was suggesting Fossil on friday, riverdale on sat, and maybe highland on sunday? I get in 9 am Fri, fly out 9 pm sunday.

 

What about thorncreek? Ute Creek? Saddleback? any other suggestions?what about pelican lakes up by fort collins? I'm up for 36 holes as well, so any that offer replay would be cool. Seems like some places have just punched, current conditions would be appreciated! Thanks guys! I love craft beer too so courses by breweries earn points, looking forward to my visit!

 

 

[deadsolid...shank]

Damn, fore. I'm 200 miles from Denver and am there quite a bit. I would have loved to come up and join you, but we have a tournament that weekend.

That being said I've heard really good things about Riverdale Dunes in Brighton. Haven't gotten to play it yet, but planning on it.

[fore_life]

Dang it!!

It's kind of a spur of the moment trip. My brother has played dunes a few times, I'm not a fan of any Pete dye course I've played, but he says it's great.

[deadsolid...shank]

I haven't played it either, just have heard good things about it.

I just got back from Denver this afternoon and will be back there in a couple of weeks, but it may be able to squeeze a quick trip back over for a Friday round.

[fore_life]

What other places do you like up there?

[deadsolid...shank]

I've only played a few: Fox Hollow was quite a while back and I don't remember much of it. Saddle Rock (or Ridge) in Aurora was pretty decent as was Buffalo Run out towards the airport. Arrowhead was a neat course but it's way south. Interlocken was pretty decent, it's more west.

Unfortunately I'm not very well versed in Denver courses.

[fore_life]

I'm shocked there's not more info out there about Colorado golf with good pictures etc

[deadsolid...shank]

Yeah, I guess I hadn't realized that there really isn't all that much. I'm trying to get to few more now that my kids are in colorado, but it's a slow process for me.

I've also heard lots of good things about Fossil Trace, and we drove past Homestead last summer. I guess it's a links style, it looked pretty neat from the road.

This has gotten me looking, I'm starting to put names with several courses I've driven by but didn't know which they were. It looks like Legacy Ridge is right in that area also.

[fore_life]

Yeah he's played legacy too. I'm just looking for insider info lol, like the AZ thread we have going. What's a ripoff, what's a steal etc

[deadsolid...shank]

Yep, lots of good information there. The only thing I can say for certain is that I probably wouldn't go down and play Arrowhead again. Really beautiful course, but $100 + is just too much for me on a regular basis, especially when (I think) there are several for less. But I'm pretty cheap, and for the most part, any golf course (that I'm on) is a good golf course.

[fore_life]

Haha right on

[TheKrushh]

You'd like Green Valley Ranch for walking and value. I play almost exclusively down in South Denver but GVR is a great value course that is very walkable.

[Buclow]

I lived in denver for 30 years and played a lot of courses. GVR, Riverdale Dunes (NOT KNOLLS), Fossil Trace, Fox Hollow and Deer Creek are all great courses on the north/northwest side of denver.

Oh how I miss hitting the ball at 5,000 feet!!!

[Buclow]

Check this website out

http://www.coloradoavidgolfer.com

If you are willing to take a drive down south, Bear Dance in Larkspur is the best public course in the state, hands down!

[Jamboy72]

I live up in Fort Collins and sounds like your brother has played some nice courses...Riverdale Dunes is a really fun track...even better when the greens get rolling...it's still early season golf here!

Pelican up in Windsor is good, but a bit over priced - Thorncreek is fun and super reasonable right now...I'd give Heritage Todd Creek a run as well as Colorado National...two of my favs in that area...have fun...weather looks to be a bit better!

[drn92]

Some recommendations ...

Legacy Ridge
Riverdale Dunes
Heritage at Westmoor
Colorado National
Green Valley Ranch
CommonGrounds

All are walkable and probably under $50 (more with a cart). Not sure about conditions as I have not been out yet. This weekend looks pretty nice weather-wise, enjoy your golf!

drn92

[fore_life]

Thanks guys!

Isn't gvr by the airport?

We played Colorado national my last golf visit, it was ok, nothing I'm dying to go back and play again, that's for sure haha.

I personally am a sucker for old school tree lined parkland courses, basically anything that is anti-desert

[Buclow]

Yeah, GVR is out by the airport. Not too far from it at all.

[Bazzer]

Heritage at westmoor should be very high on your list. Some elevation changes, but overall walkable and a great course. Greens were decent but rough there last week. Not a single house on the course, which is a plus in my book. Plenty challenging. The us open regional qualifier was held there a couple years ago.

Hyland Hills gold is also nice. Also a sturdy hike. Spectacular views.

Riverdale Dunes is fun and very flat by comparison. No mountain views to be had, and if you hit it pretty long you will not need driver much. The marshalls there can be unpleasant for no good reason.

Colorado National is a good course, but not walkable. I think you would have to twist arms to even do it. Long walks though housing developments from green to tee almost always. Guess the NCAA folks manage though.

Have fun, hope it doesn't snow.

[fore_life]

Thank you. I'll look in to some of these.


Forecast is looking good but I know how crazy the weather can be there, but my back up plan involves drinking beer so I'm good either way haha

[Zleepy]

[sub]You should check out Estes Park, its a bit of a drive but closer that ft collins, and if he is new to the area its worth a trip up there just to check out the area. And you will probably be playing your round with a herd of elk haha. Then on your way back you could hit up the original Oscar Blues in Lyons to satisfy the beer drinking plans![/sub]

[I_HATE_SNOW]

Riverdale Dunes is one of my favorites near Denver. GVR is close also and is a good course. Neither are too pricey, the Dunes may be the best value in the area.

North, in Loveland, is Marianna Buttes, another great course.

[deadsolid...shank]

[quote name='dirtyboy' timestamp='1398775215' post='9193997']
Riverdale Dunes is one of my favorites near Denver. GVR is close also and is a good course. Neither are too pricey, the Dunes may be the best value in the area.

North, in Loveland, is Marianna Buttes, another great course.
[/quote]

2nd Mairanna Buttes, played it last year and really enjoyed it. I'll go back.

[deadsolid...shank]

Hey Mark, did you guys decide where to play?

I don't know how often you get up to Denver, but if it's not very often maybe it would be worth a drive to Holyhoke to play Ballyneal.

[I_HATE_SNOW]

I still haven't played Ballyneal, now that the previous owner is gone, I'd consider it as I live within an hour's drive from the course.

[deadsolid...shank]

[quote name='dirtyboy' timestamp='1398867206' post='9202937']
I still haven't played Ballyneal, now that the previous owner is gone, I'd consider it as I live within an hour's drive from the course.
[/quote]

It's a pretty good drive for me, about 2 1/2 hours. I'd like to get there this summer but I don't know if I will be able to make it happen. Where do you live dirty, I've seen you mention a lot of fairly familiar places.

[fore_life]

[quote name='deadsolid...shank' timestamp='1398866583' post='9202879']
Hey Mark, did you guys decide where to play?

I don't know how often you get up to Denver, but if it's not very often maybe it would be worth a drive to Holyhoke to play Ballyneal.
[/quote]

Yeah, we booked riverdale dunes for Friday and I think we are just gonna do legacy ridge on Sunday. I'd love to play 3 days but sure if my brother is up for it. We'll probably hit up Oskar blues on sat along with lefthand and some other breweries. I'm using this for a vacation too not just strictly a golf trip, I'm a stay at home dad with a 2yr and a 4 mo old so I need a little down time haha

[deadsolid...shank]

I've never heard anything negative about Riverdale Dunes. I'll be interested to hear your take on it. A young man I coached "way back when" and who is like a second son to me lives on the course and has been wanting me to come over and play it with him.

[I_HATE_SNOW]

[quote name='deadsolid...shank' timestamp='1398867376' post='9202967']
[quote name='dirtyboy' timestamp='1398867206' post='9202937']
I still haven't played Ballyneal, now that the previous owner is gone, I'd consider it as I live within an hour's drive from the course.
[/quote]

It's a pretty good drive for me, about 2 1/2 hours. I'd like to get there this summer but I don't know if I will be able to make it happen. Where do you live dirty, I've seen you mention a lot of fairly familiar places.
[/quote]

The very NE corner of the state. We try to play as many courses as we can and collect a ball from each.

Congrats to OP on Riverdale Dunes, It is in my my 10 list, but I love links courses and hate trees.

[masamitsu]

Riverdale dunes is a fantastic course, you'll love it.

GVR is a nice track - they hold the Colorado Open there.