If you’ve ever spent time scrolling through U-Disc reviews in the Denver area, you’ve probably seen the polarizing takes on the Inverness disc golf course. Some people swear it’s a premier suburban gem. Others complain about the water hazards or the confusing layout near the hotel. Honestly, it’s a bit of both. Located right in the heart of the Inverness Business Park in Englewood, Colorado, this course isn't your typical mountain hike or wide-open park slog. It’s a technical, 18-hole challenge that forces you to respect the landscape, mostly because if you don't, you’re going to lose a favorite plastic disc in a murky pond.
It's tricky.
You’re playing around a Hilton hotel, corporate office buildings, and a very active golf course. That environment creates a vibe that’s unique, but also kinda high-pressure if you aren't used to people in business casual watching your shanked drives from a balcony.
The Layout Reality at Inverness Disc Golf Course
Let’s get the logistical stuff out of the way first because navigating this place is where most beginners trip up. The Inverness disc golf course isn’t a sprawling forest. It’s a tight, expertly utilized piece of land that weaves around the Hilton Denver Inverness property.
The first hole starts near the back of the hotel parking lot. If you’re standing there looking confused, you aren't alone. I’ve seen plenty of groups wander around for ten minutes just trying to find the first tee pad. Once you find it, you’re greeted with a mix of concrete pads and some that are a bit more... weathered. The design leans heavily on the "risk vs. reward" philosophy.
You’ll encounter a lot of low-ceiling shots. The trees aren't massive old-growth oaks, but they are positioned exactly where you want to throw a high hyzer. Because of the wind that frequently whips through the South Metro area, those low shots become your best friend. If you try to air it out, the Colorado gusts will grab your disc and deposit it onto the nearby "ball golf" fairways. Don’t do that. Staying off the traditional golf course is the number one rule here. It’s out of bounds (OB) everywhere, and the golfers aren't always thrilled to see a stray Destroyer landing near their putting green.
Water, Wind, and Walking
Water is the defining characteristic of the back half of the course. Holes 12 through 15 are essentially a gauntlet of "don’t mess this up." There’s a sizeable pond that comes into play, and depending on the time of year and the water level, it can be quite intimidating.
Local legends—or just guys who spend too much time at the local breweries—will tell you that the pond at Inverness disc golf course is a graveyard for mid-ranges. They’re right.
But here’s the thing: the water isn't actually that wide. It’s a mental game. If you have a 250-foot carry, and you know you can throw 300, you should be fine. But the minute you see that water, your form gets twitchy. You grip-lock. You release early. Splash. Then there’s the wind. Englewood sits at a high elevation, and the business park acts like a bit of a wind tunnel. You might have a calm tee-off on Hole 1, but by the time you get to the more exposed areas near the hotel’s outer edge, you’re dealing with a 15-mph headwind. You need overstable plastic here. If you’re showing up with nothing but flippy understable discs, you’re going to have a bad time.
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Why the "Private/Public" Status is Confusing
One of the biggest misconceptions about the Inverness disc golf course is whether you’re actually allowed to be there. For years, there’s been a back-and-forth about its status. Technically, it’s on the grounds of the Hilton Denver Inverness.
In the past, there was a small fee or a requirement to check in at the pro shop. Lately, the enforcement of this varies wildly. Most locals just park and play, but it’s always a good idea to check the current status on U-Disc or the Mile High Disc Golf community boards before you head out.
The relationship between the disc golfers and the hotel guests is a delicate one. You're basically playing in their backyard.
I’ve seen people playing in full tournament gear while a wedding is happening fifty yards away. It’s a weird juxtaposition. You’ve got to be on your best behavior. No loud music, no littering—basically, don't give the hotel a reason to pull the baskets. This isn't the place for a rowdy "doubles and beers" night with ten people in a group. It’s a "quietly work on your approach game" kind of course.
The Technical Breakdown: What to Pack
If you’re heading to the Inverness disc golf course, your bag needs to be curated. You aren't going to need massive 14-speed distance drivers for most of the holes. Most of the fairways are under 350 feet.
What you actually need:
- Overstable Approach Discs: Something like a Zone, Toro, or Harp. The wind is real, and the greens are often fast. You need something that will sit down and not roll into the OB.
- Fairway Drivers with Control: Think Teebirds or Leopards. You need to hit specific gaps between the trees and the buildings.
- A "Water Disc": This is a real tip. Bring a disc you don't mind losing for those pond holes. Even the best players have bad releases. If you’re throwing a $30 boutique plastic disc over the water, you’re going to be heartbroken when it sinks.
- Good Shoes: The terrain is mostly flat, but there are some steep embankments near the water and some rocky transitions.
The rough here isn't too punishing in terms of thick brush, but the OB is everywhere. Sidewalks, roads, and the golf course fairways are all "stroke and distance" penalties. You have to play smart. A 200-foot shot that stays in-bounds is infinitely better than a 400-foot bomb that lands on a hotel balcony.
Misconceptions About the Difficulty
A lot of people look at the distances on the map and think, "Oh, this is a birdie fest."
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It’s not.
The difficulty of the Inverness disc golf course comes from the narrow windows. Hole 4, for example, requires a very specific line to avoid the trees on the left and the fence on the right. If you miss by six inches, you’re kicking deep into the jail of branches or, worse, out of bounds.
People also underestimate the elevation changes. While it looks flat from the parking lot, there are subtle rises and falls that affect how your disc carries. Throwing uphill toward a basket tucked behind a knoll requires more power than the 280-foot distance suggests.
Then there’s the psychological factor of the "Business Park." You’re playing near glass windows. You’re playing near parked cars. That creates a level of "don't hit that" anxiety that you just don't get at a mountain course like Beaver Ranch or Wonderwu.
The Local Culture and Etiquette
The crowd at Inverness is a mix. You get the business travelers staying at the Hilton who just discovered there's a course and decided to rent some discs. You also get the die-hard Denver locals who have played the course a thousand times and know every skip and roll.
Because it’s so close to the Denver Tech Center (DTC), it’s a popular spot for a "lunch round." If you show up at noon on a Tuesday, you’ll see groups of people in polos and khakis trying to squeeze in nine holes before their next meeting.
This leads to a specific kind of etiquette. Speed of play is important here. If you’re a group of five, let the solo player play through. The course can get backed up quickly because the holes are relatively short and close together.
Also, watch out for the walkers. The paths through the business park are used by employees taking breaks and hotel guests taking strolls. They don't always know what disc golf is. They definitely don't know that a high-speed driver can cause serious injury. Always wait for the path to clear. No birdie is worth hitting a tourist in the head.
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Improving Your Score at Inverness
To actually shoot under par at Inverness disc golf course, you have to master the "flat and straight" shot.
A lot of players try to play the big, sweeping hyzer on every hole. At Inverness, that’s a recipe for hitting a tree limb and dropping into OB. If you can throw a mid-range or a putter dead straight for 200 feet, you will beat 80% of the people playing there.
Focus on your landing zones rather than the basket. On the longer holes, like Hole 18, don't try to hero-shot it over the obstacles. Play for the par, and you’ll find that the birdies happen naturally when you're putting from 15 feet instead of scrambling from the bushes.
Practice your uphill putts too. Several baskets are perched on small mounds. If you miss your putt long, you’re looking at a 20-foot comeback shot from the bottom of a hill. It’s frustrating. It’s Inverness.
Actionable Steps for Your First Visit
If you’re planning to check out the Inverness disc golf course this weekend, here is exactly how to handle it so you don't end up frustrated.
- Download U-Disc First: The signage on the course is okay, but the "next tee" indicators can be confusing because of how the paths weave around the hotel. The GPS map on the app is a lifesaver.
- Park Strategically: Park in the designated areas toward the back of the hotel complex. Don't park in the "Hotel Guest Only" or valet spots unless you’re actually staying there.
- Check the Wind: Look at the flags on the ball golf course. If they’re pinned back or flapping hard, grab your most overstable discs.
- Start with a Putter Round: If it’s your first time, honestly, try playing the whole course with just a putter and a mid-range. You’ll be surprised how much better you score when you aren't trying to force high-speed drivers through tight gaps.
- Bring a Retriever: If you do go into the pond, a telescoping disc retriever can often save your plastic. The edges are muddy, so don't try to wade in unless you want to ruin your shoes.
- Respect the "Quiet Zones": Some parts of the course are very close to hotel rooms. Keep the shouting to a minimum, especially if you’re playing an early morning round.
The Inverness disc golf course is a testament to how disc golf can coexist with corporate and luxury spaces. It’s not perfect—the proximity to "ball golf" and the potential for lost discs in the water are real downsides—but it’s a high-quality challenge that tests your mental game as much as your physical skills.
Play it once to see the novelty. Play it twice to figure out the lines. By the third time, you’ll either love the precision it requires or you’ll decide you’re strictly a "wide-open field" player. Either way, it’s a staple of the Colorado scene that every local should experience at least once. Just keep your eye on the water and your disc away from the windows.