This is for my fellow hackers:
Golf isn’t hard. You just suck at it. (Thanks, anonymous internet meme.)
The vast majority of amateur players “suck.” On average, women shoot between 94 and over 100 (with a 28.7 handicap) for a full-length, 18-hole course, and most men score in the mid to low 90s (with a handicap of 14.2), according to . About 62% of all golfers score above 90.
When average players get past the harsh reality of those statements — that despite visions of a swing like Tiger’s, yours looks more like pre-2021 — they can accept these fundamental truths:
- You will most likely never be great. The most you can hope for is competence with intermittent moments that whisper of potential.
- The only person you should compete against is yourself.
- For amateurs, the game should be as much about who you play with as with how you play.
- There are worse places to be (don’t think about how much water it takes to sustain that green grass, however).
And then you can go out there and just have fun (whether you keep score and maintain a handicap or not).
Greg Nathan, National Golf Foundation president and chief executive, looks beyond statistics when .
“What every golfer has in common is they enjoy the activity itself – they enjoy the challenge, enjoy being outdoors, enjoy the exercise and the camaraderie of being with other people who enjoy the same activity,” Nathan said. “There’s an amazing passion for this crazy game.”
This year, golfers in Colorado will face an additional challenge: Parched grounds have forced most course managers to ban carts, seven days a week, until the foreseeable future.
According to the Colorado Golf Coalition, the state’s courses take up 33,061 total acres; of that, While controlled irrigation systems restrict water use and conservation is prioritized — including the use of reclaimed wastewater — there’s just not enough to go around.
“This drought is really playing havoc with turf right now,” said Leslie Wright, director of marketing for Denver’s golf program. “We are going to walking-only for the foreseeable future, until we can get some moisture.”
Denver courses
The city of Denver manages seven municipal courses, in addition to Aqua Golf:
Aqua Golf is a water driving range with two miniature golf courses, great for the kids. 501 W. Florida, 720-865-0880
City Park is a 6,700-yard, par-72, 18-hole regulation course over 136 acres. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and has amazing views of the Front Range, especially from the newish clubhouse. Driving range available. 3181 E. 23rd Ave., 720-865-3410
Evergreen is a 5,000-yard, par-69, 18-hole executive mountain course rising to 7,220 feet, with rolling hills and elk sightings common. No driving range available. The clubhouse restaurant was still closed in February, but Wright said a contract was being worked out with a vendor. 29614 Upper Bear Creek Road, Evergreen; 720-865-3430
Harvard Gulch is a 872-yard, 9-hole, par-3 course that’s great for beginners and short-game practice, taking little more than an hour to play. Check out the course’s nighttime golf; glow balls provided. BYOGS (bring your own glow sticks); it’s a kick. 660 E. Iliff Ave., 720-865-0450
John F. Kennedy, the largest of Denver’s seven courses, offers 27 holes of regulation golf (up to 6,777 yards on West/Babe Lind) as well as 9 holes of par 3. Driving range available. The city is currently planning, and recently conducted polls on suitable designs. It is also in the midst of a 10-year course redesign.10500 E. Hampden Ave., 720-865-0720
Overland Park is the oldest running course west of the Mississippi, . It’s an 18-hole, par-72 regulation course that’s 6,676 yards, tree-lined and mostly flat, with narrow fairways and small greens. Driving range available. 1801 S. Huron St., 720-865-0430
Wellshire is an 18-hole, 6,498-yard regulation course designed by Donald Ross, with mature trees and frequent hawk sightings. No driving range available, but Wright said construction on it is progressing and the city is aiming for completion in 2027. It’s the 100th birthday of the course this year; check out the website for celebration events like a June 5 tournament. 3333 S. Colorado Blvd., 720-865-0440
Willis Case is a 6,173-yard, par-70, 18-hole course with narrow, sloping fairways and mature trees. Great views from the first hole. No driving range. 4999 Vrain St., 720-865-0700
Go to for more information on each course.
In addition, there are about across Colorado to check out. Some of my favorites: in Golden; in Westminster; in Longmont; in Loveland; in Lakewood; and in Boulder. For a fun executive course, try in Highlands Ranch.
Prices, programs and tee times
Dynamic pricing is the rule at city of Denver courses (i.e., higher rates at more popular times). Rates “are going up a little bit this year,” Wright said, and will vary per course. The maximum price during the week is between $38 and $60 (walking 18 holes); the maximum on weekends is $56 to $67. Discounts are in place for seniors and juniors.
And expect crowds. “We haven’t seen much dropoff since the pandemic,” Wright said. “We are still seeing courses full, especially on nice days, and passes are still selling like gangbusters.”
More youngsters are getting into the game, as well. Denver Golf offers a junior golf program (for kids as young as 4); two packages for beginners and intermediate golfers; for range balls, 9-hole and par 3 rounds; plus for mini-golf and par 3 rounds. “We also started the for ages 10-17, and it’s been popular, with 10 range buckets and 20 9-hole rounds,” Wright said.
($55 a year) allow golfers to book tee times two weeks in advance — warning: they fill up fast — and let you earn points toward future rounds.
The city also runs that are open to the public throughout the year. In addition to men’s, women’s and senior amateur tourneys, check into the Frost Off event at Kennedy, the Elk Scat Scramble at Evergreen and the Master’s Scramble at Willis Case. (All tournaments fill up quickly, so don’t dilly-dally.)
Rules for play
Most of the Denver municipal courses have posted the relaxed rules of golf for non-tournament play:
No. 1: Maximum score is double par
No. 2: Penalties are all 1 stroke
No. 3: Limit ball search to 2 minutes
No. 4: Improve unfortunate lies
No. 5: Conceded putts allowed (gimmes)
No. 6: No equipment restrictions
No. 7: Use common sense
To these, I would add:
No. 8: Keep up the pace of play — which means always play ready golf
No. 9: Fill large fairway divots with provided sand/seed mix and repair ball indentations on greens (ask someone to show you the correct way to use a divot tool)
No. 10: Loud music can be a distraction; ask before you play
Most importantly: Be respectful of your fellow golfers and of the game, and adhere to the basic rules of golf courtesy and etiquette. And focus on the fun. (Tantrums make everyone else uncomfortable.)
