You’re driving down Santa Fe, stuck in that weird Denver traffic that seems to happen at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday for no reason, and you look over at the green expanse tucked between the river and the highway. That's it. Overland Park Golf Course Denver Colorado isn't just another muni; it’s actually the oldest running course in the state. It opened back in 1895. Think about that. People were swinging sticks at balls there before Colorado even had a real highway system.
It's got a vibe.
Some people call it a "starter" course. Others think it’s just a flat piece of land by the South Platte River. They're mostly wrong, or at least they’re missing the point of why this place stays packed. It’s accessible. It’s honest. It doesn't pretend to be Cherry Hills, and honestly, thank God for that. You can show up in a t-shirt, grab a cheap dog at the turn, and actually enjoy your round without some starter breathing down your neck about your socks.
The Weird History of Overland Park
Back in the day, this wasn't just golf. It was a social club for the Denver elite, but it also doubled as a horse racing track and even an airfield. Yeah, planes used to land where you're now trying to avoid a slice into the trees. It basically functioned as Denver’s original country club before the city expanded and the "fancy" folks moved further south and east.
What’s cool is how the layout still kind of feels like an old-school parkland track. You’ve got these massive, mature trees—mostly cottonwoods and elms—that have been growing since the Taft administration. They’re beautiful. They’re also absolute ball-magnets. If you get off the fairway even a little bit, you’re punching out sideways through a narrow gap, praying you don't hit a trunk and have the ball fly back at your face.
The course has survived floods, redesigns, and the constant roar of the nearby light rail and traffic. It’s resilient. It feels like Denver—the real Denver, not the glass-tower-and-expensive-cocktail version.
What to Expect When You Tee It Up
Let’s be real for a second. Overland Park Golf Course Denver Colorado isn't going to win awards for "most challenging terrain." It’s pretty flat. If you have bad knees or just hate riding in a cart, this is your paradise. It’s arguably the most walkable 18-hole course in the Denver Golf system.
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But flat doesn't mean easy.
The greens are surprisingly small. Compared to the massive, undulating surfaces you find at modern courses like Fossil Trace or Bear Dance, these look like postage stamps. If your approach game is off, you’re going to be chipping all day. And because it’s a high-traffic city course, those greens can get firm and fast in the mid-summer heat.
The par is 72, and it plays around 6,600 yards from the back tees. That sounds manageable until you realize the wind off the river can turn a simple par 4 into a nightmare.
- The Front Nine: It starts off relatively gentle, but the 4th hole is a long par 4 that requires a straight drive. No room for heroics.
- The Back Nine: This is where the views of the Denver skyline really start to pop. It’s also where you'll hear the "clack-clack" of the light rail train passing by. Some people hate the noise. I think it adds to the urban charm.
The par-5 15th is a beast. It’s long, and if the wind is in your face, just take your bogey and move on with your life. Don't try to reach it in two unless you're a scratch golfer or delusional. Most of us are the latter.
The "Denver Golf" Ecosystem
Overland is part of the city’s municipal system, which is actually one of the better-run systems in the country. They use a tiered pricing model. If you have a Denver resident Loyalty Card, you’re getting one of the best deals in the state. If you’re a visitor, you’ll pay more, but it’s still cheaper than almost any private-owned public course in the suburbs.
Booking a tee time here is like trying to get front-row tickets to a Taylor Swift concert. You have to be on the website the second the window opens. Seven days in advance. Be there or be at the driving range.
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Speaking of the range—it’s decent. It’s grass some days, mats others. It faces west, so if you’re hitting balls at sunset, you’re basically blind. But hey, watching the sun drop behind the Rockies while you're thumping a bucket of balls is a vibe you can't really beat for twenty bucks.
Why Some Golfers Complain (and Why They’re Wrong)
You’ll hear the "purists" moan about Overland.
"It’s too loud."
"The conditions aren't PGA-level."
"There’s too much goose poop."
Okay, the geese are real. They own the place. You're just a guest in their kingdom. But complaining about conditions at a muni that sees 50,000+ rounds a year is a bit silly. The maintenance crew at Overland does a heroic job keeping those fairways green considering the sheer volume of divots they deal with daily.
And the noise? That’s the point. It’s an urban course. If you want total silence, go hike a 14er. Golf at Overland is about the community. It’s the sound of the city mixing with the "thwack" of a driver. It’s seeing people from every walk of life—guys in work boots, teenagers with hand-me-down clubs, and retired couples who have played this exact same 18 every Wednesday for forty years.
The Professional Influence
Even though it’s a muni, Overland has history with the pros. Back in the day, legendary golfers like Babe Zaharias and Ben Hogan spent time in the Denver area. While they mostly played the private clubs, the culture of golf in Denver was built on the back of courses like Overland. It provided the accessibility that allowed the sport to grow in the High Plains.
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Today, the course is a hub for the First Tee program. You’ll see kids out there learning the game, which is honestly the most important thing happening on the property. It’s keeping the sport alive in the city center.
Vital Stats for Your Round
- Location: 1801 S. Cortland St, Denver, CO. Right off Santa Fe and Florida.
- Signature Hole: Usually considered the 18th. A solid finishing hole that brings you right back to the clubhouse with a view of the city.
- The Grill: They make a mean breakfast burrito. If you aren't eating a breakfast burrito before a morning round in Colorado, are you even really here?
- Pro Tip: Pay attention to the South Platte River. It doesn't come into play on every hole, but the moisture near the river can make the rough thicker and stickier than the rest of the course.
Navigating the Seasons
Golf in Denver is a year-round sport if you’re brave enough. Because Overland is relatively low-elevation and flat, it’s often one of the first courses to dry out after a snowstorm.
In January, you might see 50-degree days where the "frozen-tundra" golfers come out in hoodies. The ball doesn't fly as far in the cold, obviously, but the ground is hard, so you’ll get 40 yards of roll on your drives. It’s a trade-off.
Summer is the peak. It gets hot. The air is thin. You're at 5,280 feet, so your ball is going to travel about 10% further than it does at sea level. If you're visiting from Florida or California, don't be shocked when you fly the green with an 8-iron. You’re a hero here. Gravity just works less.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
Don't just show up and hope for the best.
- Get the Card: if you live in Denver, get the Loyalty Card immediately. It pays for itself in three rounds.
- Book Early: Set an alarm for 7:00 PM seven days before you want to play. That's when the tee times drop.
- Walk it: Bring a push cart or carry your bag. It's a great workout and you'll see details of the course you'll miss from a motorized cart.
- Watch the Wind: Check the weather. If gusts are over 20 mph, Overland becomes a different beast entirely.
- Respect the Pace: It’s a busy course. Keep up with the group in front of you. Nobody cares if you're bad; they only care if you're slow.
Overland Park Golf Course Denver Colorado is a survivor. It’s a piece of history that you can actually touch and use. It’s not a museum. It’s a living, breathing part of the neighborhood. Whether you're trying to break 80 or just trying to hit the ball in the air, it’s the kind of place that reminds you why golf is fun in the first place. It’s just you, some old trees, and a tiny white ball in the middle of a bustling city. Enjoy it.