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Top Colorado Golf Vacation Adventures – Mountains Part I

Golf Club at Fox Acres

We continue our Colorado golf trip vacation by playing a few great mountain courses.  If you like the forest, rock formations, and a bunch of trees – this article is for you.

Haymaker Golf Course – Steamboat Springs

Haymaker Golf Course

One of the most beautiful mountain towns in Colorado is Steamboat Springs.  With its stunning mountains and less crowded atmosphere, Steamboat is a classic Rockies destination.  You can ski in the winter and golf all summer long.  Haymaker Golf Course is a public course that anyone can play, although that comes at a steep green fee price.  We have been there a couple of times and really enjoy the laid back atmosphere and unbelievable scenery at the course.

From the course:  “Consistently voted among the best golf courses to play in Colorado, Haymaker Golf Course was rated the “#4 Golf Course You Can Play in Colorado, 2019″ by Golfweek Magazine.  Proudly owned by the City of Steamboat Springs, the 233-acre championship golf course features at least four sets of tees per hole, playing from 5,059 to 7,308 yards. It has been heralded as a ‘core layout’ using large greens and gentle undulations, which blend seamlessly with the topography of the region.”

Shining Mountain Golf Course – Woodland Park

Shining Mountain Golf Course

Set in a Colorado forest, Shining Mountain Golf Course is not only relatively inexpensive – but a blast to play.  It is located about 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs with all the wildlife you can handle.  What is so unique about this course is that, on a number of holes, the rough is literally the tall pines.  Don’t lose your ball too far back in the trees or you will be stuck there for awhile.

The golf course tells the story:  “Here at Shining Mountain Golf Course, we pride ourselves on the high quality of championship golf, striking views and outstanding service that we offer our valued guests. We have worked hard over the years to become a vital part of the community, and in the process, we have earned recognition as one of the premier golf experiences in the region.”

See all of our golf trip blog here

Evergreen Golf Course – Evergreen

Evergreen Golf Course

We love golfing in the forest!  Evergreen Golf Course sits in the mountains just west of Denver and provides breathtaking views of both mountain peaks and the city.  The most notable hole includes a huge rock formation dividing the fairway.  You either have to go left or right, but whatever you do don’t get stuck behind it.  A reasonably priced municipal course sure to test golfers of all skill levels.

Evergreen Golf Course is Denver’s mountain jewel.  At 7,220 feet, this 18-hole executive course sits along Bear Creek.  Rolling hills and fairways lined with pine trees make this an affordable mountain golf experience just a short drive from the city.  Elk and other wildlife sightings are frequent on the course, and after golf, you can enjoy delicious food and drinks on the patio at Keys On The Green.”

The Golf Club at Fox Acres – Red Feather Lakes

Golf Club at Fox Acres

This semi-private course allows public play at certain times.  Golf Now seems to have a few tee times during off hours.  We have played this course a couple of times and love the feeling of a round of golf both in the forest and amongst the red rock formations.  There is a drivable par 4 over a lake if your confidence is high.

The Golf Club at Fox Acres describes things this way:  “Designed by John Cochran, Fox Acres is one of Colorado’s truly breathtaking golf courses. At 8,300 ft. above sea level and just shy of 6,500 yards from the tips, there’s enough peace and quiet around to allow for a good think.

There’s also a scenic driving range, 460 acres of pristine nature and holes with names like “Moose Crossing,” “Sleeping Elephants,” “Black Bear,” and “Fox Den.” And with several elevation changes, 15 shimmering lakes and over 100 sand traps, the course is designed to challenge your mind and sharpen your game.”

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Top Colorado Golf Vacation Adventures – Front Range

Colorado is a beautiful place filled with amazing golf courses.  If you have never had the chance to visit Colorado and play the great golf courses you are missing out.  From snowcapped peaks year-around in the summer to lovely fall colors, the golf courses in Colorado are stunning.  We start with the golf courses on the Colorado front range before heading to the best golf courses in the Colorado Rockies.  We tend to stick with public courses that anyone can play in our travels, with a few exceptions.  If you missed any of our golf vacation recap articles please click here.

Our recap of the best golf courses on the Colorado front range:

Arrowhead Golf Course

Arrowhead Golf Course

If you have never been to Arrowhead golf course you need to go immediately.  Make sure you bring a camera to capture the incredible red rock views.  In fact, the golf course is not far from Red Rocks Amphitheatre.  This 100% public course if far from inexpensive, but trust us, it is worth the money.  Every single hole has spectacular vistas.   Do yourself a favor and do not miss the opportunity to play a round at Arrowhead.

The Broadmoor (East Course)

From the Broadmoor:  “The Broadmoor’s East Course is known for its wide, tree-lined fairways and expansive greens. With its challenging terrain and amazing mountain vistas, The East Course is ranked among the best golf courses in the country. Since the large trees can alter your shots and the putting greens difficult to read, the best tip we can offer for those taking on this open course is to remember that putts break away from the mountains.”

Although anyone can play on the Broadmoor East golf course, you want to take a cart because the holes meander up the side of Cheyenne Mountain.  While we have never played this one, we did attend a wedding reception on the side of the mountain overlooking the course.  We can also recommend a stay at this 5 star resort, although that damaged our pocket book quite a lot.

CommonGround Golf Course

CommonGround Golf Course

From the course:  “Through the use of ‘width that matters’ and strategic placement of features, this Tom Doak design delivers an outstanding experience to all levels of golfers. From the raw beginner, to the most skilled player, CommonGround Golf Course has been designed to maximize the enjoyment of the game for everyone. Although located in the heart of the city, the urban sprawl surrounding the course is unnoticeable, and the breathtaking views of the majestic front range of Colorado are a site to behold.”

We have yet to play this golf course either, but have heard great things.  It is reasonably priced and geared toward all golfer skill levels.

TPC Colorado

TPC Colorado

“TPC Colorado is proud to call picturesque Berthoud, Colorado home. Situated along the Little Thompson River, approximately halfway between Fort Collins, Colorado and Denver, Colorado, Berthoud provides the perfect small town charm for past and present generations.”

The TPC Colorado is a very new course.  In fact, this is the golf course that Will Zalatoris won his first tournament on.

Mad Russian Golf Course

Mad Russian Golf Course

Some history from its website:  “October 1986 Bob Ehrlich purchased an abandoned golf course name Jack Rabbit Trail along with clubhouse and a round rotating residence located just north of Milliken, Colorado.  These unique structures and course had once been owned by a Russian farmer named Ted Blehm, who was known in the area for being a little ornery and always up for a challenge.  As the story goes, Ted was not allowed to join a local golf club so he decided he would go out and build his own, bigger and better golf club.”

The Mad Russian Golf Course is one of our all-time favorites.  It is a sloped 18 hole golf course providing great mountain view.  Inexpensive to play, always in great condition, and even allows an 11 hole option.

Saddle Rock Golf Course

Saddle Rock Golf Course

“Former home of the Colorado Open and numerous statewide amateur and professional events, Saddle Rock has become a preferred destination for a higher-end golf experience in the metro area. The high-plains, links style course combines extensive native areas with significant elevation changes to create a memorable round of golf.  Multiple tee options allow golfers to choose the level of difficulty that best fits their game.”

For a municipal course just outside of Denver you can’t help but love Saddle Rock Golf Course.  Due to its location a bit east it is usually easy to get a good tee time.

Check out our other golf trip vacation recaps