Enjoy the ride at these 5 Colorado gems

I used to hike trails, but now I walk golf courses. It’s hiking with a purpose, 18 goals along the way. Sometimes even 100 goals, if I’m counting micro-goals.

But here in Colorado, I will never make the 18-hole march on some of my favorite courses to play. Early 1900s courses like Overland, Wellshire and Denver Country Club were designed for walking. But many courses built after the advent of the golf cart in the mid-1950s wind their way through housing developments and require long plods from green to tee. Even if I wanted to walk these, I know I would slow the players behind me if I did.

Other courses represent major feats of engineering, on dramatic pieces of land that create thrilling, beautiful golf layouts too rugged or steep to be walked while carrying or pushing clubs.

Bandon Dunes sparked a revival in walker-friendly designs, and we’re seeing more of these in the 21^st century. If the green fees include a cart, though, that’s usually a tip-off not to attempt to walk. Here are five public-access courses every Colorado golfer should play while enjoying the ride.

The Ridge at Castle Pines North. This Troon-managed 18 south of Denver is one of the top daily-fee courses in the state, and the fancy cart with GPS, music and other features is included in that fee for good reason. The first tee would require a good trudge under the road from check-in, and the trip from 9 green to 10 tee reverses that journey. But the main reason walkers tend to play only the front nine: After 16, there’s a long and winding road to 17 and then another long and winding road to 18.

Granby Ranch Golf Course. I’ve been hoping to praise this Grand County 18 for its comeback, from near extinction to excellent summertime 2024 conditions from tee to green. The old-school front nine descends to the valley floor abutting the Fraser River and railroad tracks. By itself, it’s a lovely walk. But, after ascending back up to 9 green, there’s about a mile’s dusty trip over to the hilly backside. And of course, there’s that journey again after 18 back to the parking lot. There’s still no clubhouse at GR, but a food truck on site energized the 19^th hole this summer.

Murphy Creek Golf Course. This exquisite Aurora muni is the only course on the list where carts are not included in green fees, but, trust me on this because I’ve made this march a few times. Murphy is fairly flat, but the second tee is a long slog under the road behind the first green, and it’s only the first of several such treks meandering over and under the streets of a booming residential community. Last time there, I rode happily with a friend. The two walkers we were paired with, men accustomed to going low at other courses,  were so gassed by 15 their scorecards exploded.

Red Sky Golf Club. Having gotten lost on the long uphill trip to the first tee of Red Sky’s spectacular Norman course, I knew this one wasn’t walker-friendly. But, maybe the Fazio 18? Nope, these days even the college gals playing in the annual Golfweek Red Sky Classic eschew the elevation changes – uphill for most of holes 7-12 – in favor of wheels. With courses alternately private and semiprivate, guests get to play one or the other by booking one 40 partner properties in Vail and Beaver Creek.

Telluride Ski and Golf Club: Not only does no one walk 18 at Telluride, no one is allowed to! That’s because it’s such a long trip, meandering through the Mountain Village and around residences, the ride might never end. And then there are the views that beg for a pause. Opened in 1992 and refreshed in 2008 by City Park designer Todd Schoeder, the par-70 course at 9,417 feet has the distinction of views not only down below the Turkey Creek Mesa but looking up at surrounding 13- and 14-ers. Nonmembers can play by booking a stay at the Peaks Resort & Spa.

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Veteran journalist Susan Fornoff has written about golf for publications including the San Francisco Chronicle, ColoradoBiz magazine and her own GottaGoGolf.com. She provides the voice of “Molly McMulligan,” the CGA’s on-course consultant on golf for fun. Email her at mollymcmulligan@gmail.com.

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