There is nothing common about Common Ground. The US Open Championship Qualifier is held here; this is a world class golf course. Anyone who says any different does not know what they are talking about. Easily the best course in the city of Denver. Don't think so? 7,500 yards with a 75 rating from the back, this place is a fucking beast -- as difficult and challenging a links as any on the planet. The greens are INCREDIBLE, and they've never been better than they are right now. The largest green in the state of Colorado blesses hole number 5, and is something out of Scotland it's so massive, while still others are about a quarter of the size with huge undulations and slopes, that demand pinpoint accuracy. Plenty of tee options for all skill levels (for God's sake, do yourself a favor and play the correct tees, you will need it!) but it won't matter much: the rough is deep -- unforgiving black holes of fescue and prairie grass that will swallow your ball, never to be found again, even if you know exactly where it went in. That stuff is only a few yards beyond the first cut of rough, making this layout essentially surrounded by hazard that might as well be water. Back to the rough: even a slight miss off the fairway can result in not your usual inch or two of rough but -- seriously -- depending on the hole, a foot or two of un-mowed grass that even a pro couldn't get more than 20 yards out in a recovery attempt. Fairways seem massive, wide, and inviting; however this is all a clever deception. Angles matter above all else here, and a great tee shot into the wrong side of some of these wider fairways can leave you with ridiculous long iron shots into the greens, making par difficult if not impossible. The entire course is TOTALLY exposed to the elements: expect 10-20 mph wind on any given day unless you are wise enough to book an early tee time. No joke, the wind is ferocious here, always. You might as well be on the ocean, in England. The course covers a massive area of open nature preserve which is totally isolated from the urban sprawl that surrounds it, with very few strategically placed trees so there is almost no protection from the wind, anywhere. Stunning mountain and city views. Impeccably maintained from tee to green. One would have to pay real money at Arrowhead or some of the other private country clubs to experience a course like this, especially these greens. They are monsters. Beautiful monsters. I would honestly put this course with it's maddening and wondrous greens up there with the best of the best of the best. Some two putts are Oakmont-level difficult, depending on these tricky pin placements. They are wonderfully fast and true. Only a well struck shot with high trajectory will land and hold these greens. Most are very well protected, and some, like 13, 14 and 15 will be very hard to hold. There are a number of slightly elevated tees and greens, with a few terrific uphill and downhill holes. This course even has the rare (semi) blind tee shot into a par 3 (#15). The Colorado Golf Association is based here so lessons and instructors are available at this course, making it the perfect place to make your home. Practice facilities are FOUR stars: a generous grass driving range, two putting greens and a bunker and chipping green, all perfectly maintained. The staff are all pros, from the gardeners and greens keepers to the fellas and gals running the pro shop, everyone is friendly and there to make your golf experience epic. Various packages are available for all levels of dedicated golfer: from annual memberships (well worth the price after renewal), to punch cards that come with ten rounds at a discount, to senior discounts and more. All the regulars and members I see constantly out on this course are so friendly and fun to play with, too. The best course for your money, period. Don't even bother looking elsewhere. This course is a golfer's paradise. The most underrated gem around. A fascinating and original layout over a huge open space with sprawling vistas of the mountains and downtown, lush fairways, PGA level rough, the finest greens imaginable and at a modest price. What more could you ask for? Nothing. read more