CommonGround Golf Course

The new Home of the Colorado Golf Association

CommonGround is an unusual name for a great new golf course situated in the heart of Denver, Colorado.  The new course was redesigned over the remains of the old Lowery Air Force Base course (aka Mira Vista Golf Course), by world renowned golf course architect Tom Doak (yes, the same Tom Doak of Pacific Dunes fame).  After waiting patiently for 18 long months during the reconstruction, the new course finally opened to the public over Memorial Day weekend of 2009.

The course promotes generous fairways (you could land a 727 on the first hole), huge greens, and some of the deepest, gnarliest bunkers in the state.  The thick rough around the greens means that if you stray too far off target with your approach, you will have a heck of a time saving par, or sometimes even bogey. Water only comes into play on a few holes (6, 11 and 12), and there are only a few elevation changes of note, the most interesting of which is the hill that intersects the ninth and 18th fairways.  On the 18th, a par 5, the approach shot is a blind prayer up the hills through a narrow chute of trees to the green.   

The most interesting hole is the 11th, in which a leap of faith tee shot is required to clear a humongous bunker situated in the middle of the fairway.  If successful, an accurate hitter can then go for the green in two. Be conscious of the water surrounding the left and back edges of the green though, it can swallow up any errant shot, and is only a few feet off the putting surface. 

The eventual clubhouse has not yet been built (the original clubhouse was razed when the course was redesigned), there is a temporary clubhouse today, which includes a snack bar with the usual golf course fare, and a small pro-shop.  Since the course is owned and operated by the Colorado Golf Association (CGA), there is also a par 3 short course named the Kid’s Course, which is intended to be used primarily by the state’s junior golf programs. A full service driving range and an excellent chipping and putting area round out the available practice facilities.

Daily Rates are $40 for CGA/CWGA members or $50 for non-members, and reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance.  Tee Times can be booked by calling (303) 340-1520, or online via the CommonGround website.

Getting to the course is easy from I-70, exit at Peoria, and head south. Turn right on 6th avenue and proceed 1 mile to S. Havanna. Turn left on Havanna and drive the 6 blocks to CommonGround Golf Course, the parking lot will be on the right side of the street.

CommonGround is an enjoyable golf course for players of all abilities, it is not target golf, and you don’t have to hit every shot perfectly to have a good time.  It is reasonably priced, and is made up of some fun and also challenging holes.  If you have the opportunity to play CommonGround, give it a try, and if you hit it into one of those bunkers, don’t try to be a hero.

Article Tags: Commonground Golf, Golf Course

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