10 Best Public Golf Courses in Colorado (2024)

Curious about the top public golf courses in Colorado? We’ve done the legwork for you. We analyzed thousands of online reviews to bring you the definitive list.

We scoured the internet for public reviews of over 120 Colorado courses. Then we gave each course a score between 1 and 100 based on the quantity and quality of golfer’s online ratings. Note: We only looked regulation 18-hole layouts.

Here are the top 10 courses in Colorado, ranked by golfers like you. We also published a similar list for the best golf courses in Denver and the best mountain courses.

Top 10 Public Golf Courses in Colorado

1. Pole Creek Golf Club

Photo courtesy of Pole Creek Golf Club

With an incredible score of 95.9, Pole Creek Golf Club is the highest rated public course in Colorado based on user reviews. This may surprise you if you’ve never made the trek up to Tabernash to play this hidden gem. Trust us, it’s worth the drive. Pole Creek is an underrated and beautiful mountain course, with a plenty of awards to prove it.

2. Bear Dance Golf Club

Photo courtesy of Bear Dance Golf Club

Coming in second with a score of 94.5, The Golf Club at Bear Dance is legendary among Denver area golfers. It has everything we love about Colorado golf: tall pine trees, dramatic elevation changes, and spectacular mountain views. If you live in the Denver area and haven’t played Bear Dance yet, go book a tee time right now. We’ll wait…

3. Fossil Trace Golf Club

Photo courtesy of Fossil Trace Golf Club

Scoring an impressive 93.7, Fossil Trace Golf Club is more than a golf course - it’s a journey through prehistoric times. Built around fossilized plants and animals, Fossil Trace has a unique blend of history and recreation. The course integrates fossilized rock into some truly memorable holes, especially #11 through #15.

4. River Valley Ranch Golf Club

Photo courtesy of River Valley Ranch Golf Club

Scoring a solid 92.9, Carbondale’s River Valley Ranch Golf Club takes the fourth spot. Nestled between Glenwood Springs and Aspen, this course has breathtaking mountain views at every turn. If you’re ever visiting the area, be sure to stop by River Valley Ranch and cross this one off your bucket list.

5. Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course

Scoring 92.0, Red Hawk Ridge in Castle Rock comes in at number 5. Designed by the Fossil Trace architect, Jim Engh – Red Hawk Ridge shows why he’s considered a master of mountain golf course design.

6. Omni Interlocken Resort Golf Club

With a score of 91.8, Omni Interlocken Resort Golf Club takes the sixth spot. With high-end amenities and 27 resort-style holes, playing Omni Interlocken feels like a luxury golf vacation.

7. Devils Thumb Golf Club

Photo courtesy of Devil's Thumb Golf Club

Scoring 91.8, Devils Thumb Golf Club in Delta, Colorado is the best course that no one is talking about. Tucked away on the Western Slope, this course flies under the radar. But with over 250 stellar reviews, it’s clear that Devil’s Thumb is one of the best courses in Colorado. It’s also the best value in our top 10 list, with peak season tee times starting at just $37.

8. Breckenridge Golf Club

Photo courtesy of Breckenridge Golf Club

With a score of 91.7, Breckenridge Golf Club is #8 overall and tied for the best course in a ski town. This is one of the few public courses in Colorado designed by the golden bear himself – Jack Nicklaus. Expect to see snowcapped mountains, towering pines, and the occasional beaver, moose, or bear.

9. EagleVail Golf Club

With a score of 91.7, EagleVail Golf Club claims the ninth overall spot and is the highest rated public course in Vail Valley. This is a quintessential mountain course and a personal favorite of ours. Expect to hit shots off towering tee boxes over rushing rivers while weaving your way through a dense forest landscape.

10. Arrowhead Golf Course

Photo courtesy of Arrowhead Golf Course

Rounding out our top 10 with a score of 91.7, Littleton’s Arrowhead Golf Course is simply iconic. Tucked into dramatic red rock formations, Arrowhead is one of the most photogenic courses in Colorado.