Colorado
Top Choice: TPC Colorado, Berthoud
9.6/10
Why it's Spectacular
Designed By: Arthur Schaupeter Golf Architects
When you start out in the direction of Berthoud it's a bit hard not be curious and skeptical at the same time. Like many, it's hard not to believe that the best courses would be in the mountains but immediately upon arrival at TPC Colorado you know you will be in for a quality experience.
First off, the clubhouse is enormous, and you will be warmly greeted about as quick as you can open your car door. Once inside, the views of the course sprawl in all directions and a beautiful mountain back drop is showcased in the distance. Like many TPC courses, from the second you arrive on the first tee, the conditions are immaculate and only variance in the grass is that between cuts with almost zero imperfections, dry spots, or divots.
Almost every hole on the front-nine is interesting and challenging shots over creeks, ponds, and rolling hills are guaranteed on each approach shot. By the time you make your way to the back, you'll already feel like you've got your money's worth only to find yourself on the 14th tee which is easily the most stunning on the course. From here, you will find a challenging downhill par-3 with bunkers surrounding the green in every direction with a beautiful mountain view on the horizon. To add to the challenge you are likely to have a gallery of on-lookers from the patio of the clubhouse and grill to cheer you on, and if you are lucky enough to be here at sunset, it's an experience that will define your round.
Other Top Courses
Fossil Trace
-
Pros: Pretty cool spot with some very interesting holes including a nice stretch which give the course it's name featuring visible fossils and unique rock walls in which you must navigate.
Cons: A little on the expensive side and it gets a lot of play. The course is still in great shape but it might be a five hour round.
Score:
9.3/10
The Ridge at Castle Pines
-
Pros: A really nice course and one that consistently gets praise within the golf community. There is above average hole design and the back-9 is particularly fun and interesting.
Cons: It's on the expensive side and can be difficult to get onto without a Troon connection which I was fortunate to have.
Score:
9.2/10
Breckenridge Golf Club
-
Pros: You're in Breckenridge! It's totally beautiful and the course leads you on a nice track right into the mountains with a variety of scenic tee shots and views.
Cons: A little spendy but that can be expected for a course of this quality and in such a beautiful location.
Score:
9.2/10
EagleVail Golf
-
Pros: A shockingly cool track with some great elevation changes, beautiful views, and well thought out course design. It's not necessarily a fancy course for a resort town, but it is worth every penny to play.
Cons: I'm not really sure there are any. If anything, it could just be more well kept which would probably turn it to a top course in Colorado.
Score:
9.0/10
Vail Golf Club
-
Pros: One of the coolest driving ranges you will ever see with the stunning mountains in the backdrop. The course has it's fair share of nice views too and if you're lucky to get out during the fall season be ready to be stunned by the color changes of the surrounding Aspens.
Cons: A little flat and perhaps could be a bit more interesting hole layout...still 100% worth doing!
Score:
8.9/10
Other Notables
Redlands Mesa
This was on the Top 100 Public Course list and after getting out to play you can see why. For a course located in Grand Junction this exceeded all initial expectations.
Pros
Tremendous hole design, affluent neighborhood with some very impressive houses, the course was in spectacular shape and there were no notable drawbacks.
Score
8.8/10
Cons
A little expensive and you sort of need an excuse to be in Grand Junction, but if you ever are--you should stop.
Omni Interlocken
Located between Boulder and Denver this had a very good reputation in the early 2000's. The course was quite nice and the service was exceptional.
Pros
Very nicely kept and an upscale vibe. It's been a while since I played so it might require another pass at some point.
Score
8.6/10
Cons
Not particularly memorable on a hole-by-hole basis and on the expensive side.
Legacy Ridge
For a city course this was a very pleasant surprise and great value for the money.
Pros
Pretty sweet hole layout, some nice distant mountain views and enough distance from the road and neighborhoods to forget that you're in the middle of the burbs.
Score
8.6/10
Cons
None really to note. It was a solid course all-around.
Haymaker
Located in beautiful Steamboat Springs I expected a bit more.
Pros
You're in an incredible place so it's hard to complain. There are some interesting water holes and the scenery is hard to beat.
Score
8.5/10
Cons
A bit of a lack of creativity and the course suffers from being in a open field, limiting elevation changes and too many dynamic holes.
