If you’re driving through the Old North End of Colorado Springs, you might miss the entrance. It’s just a wrought-iron gate. Honestly, it looks more like the entrance to a private estate than a city-run muni. But once you roll down that narrow road, flanked by massive, 100-year-old elms and cottonwoods, you realize Patty Jewett Municipal Golf Course isn't your average park-and-play. It’s one of the oldest courses west of the Mississippi, dating back to 1898.
There is a vibe here. It’s not stuffy. You’ll see scratch golfers in crisp polos and guys in cargo shorts just trying to break 100. Everyone is here for the same thing: those unobstructed views of Pikes Peak and a round of golf that feels much more expensive than it actually is.
The Weird, Sweet History of the Name
Most people assume Patty Jewett was a pro golfer or a local politician. She wasn't. In fact, we don’t even know for sure if she ever picked up a club. The course was originally the "Town and Gown Golf Club." In 1919, a businessman named William Jewett bought the whole thing. He donated it to the city of Colorado Springs as a memorial to his late wife, Patty Stuart Jewett.
He had some strict rules, though. He insisted it be maintained "in perpetuity" for golf and park purposes. He also mandated that the grounds remain open to anyone over the age of ten. Because of that gift, the city has a crown jewel that can't be turned into a strip mall or a housing development. It’s a permanent sanctuary for the game.
Twenty-Seven Holes of "Choose Your Own Adventure"
Most municipal tracks give you 18 holes and call it a day. Patty Jewett gives you 27. They’re split into three distinct nines: the Peak, the Plains, and the Prairie.
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The Peak Nine
This is the one everyone wants. Why? The views. You are basically staring at Pikes Peak the entire time. It’s the "signature" side of the property. It’s relatively open, but the greens are tricky. If you’re playing the Peak, you better have your lag putting dialed in.
The Plains Nine
Don't let the name fool you. It’s not flat. This section has more of that traditional, tree-lined feel. The fairways are narrower here than on the Prairie side. You’ll find yourself navigating those ancient trees I mentioned earlier. If you’re spraying the ball off the tee, the Plains will eat your lunch.
The Prairie Nine
This side feels a bit more modern, or at least more "open." It’s often the "easier" nine for high handicappers because you have more room to miss. But "easier" is a relative term when the wind starts blowing off the mountains.
Basically, the variety keeps it from getting boring. You can play here three days a week and never play the same 18-hole combination twice.
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The "19th Hole" That Beats Most Restaurants
Look, let’s be real. Golf course food is usually a soggy hot dog or a dry turkey sandwich. The Patty Jewett Bar & Grill is different. It’s a legitimate dining destination for people who don’t even play golf.
The patio is the place to be. It faces west, directly toward the mountains. They’ve got misters for the July heat and umbrellas everywhere. They’re famous for a few things:
- The Reuben: It’s massive.
- Wednesday Night Crab Legs: People line up for this. All-you-can-eat crab at a golf course? It sounds weird, but they pull it off.
- Breakfast Burritos: If you have an 8:00 AM tee time, this is mandatory.
The service can be slow when it’s packed. It's a muni, after all. But when you’re sitting there with a spicy Bloody Mary watching the sunset hit the granite face of Pikes Peak, you won’t care.
Dealing With the "Muni" Reality
I’m not going to tell you it’s perfect. It’s a public course in a high-altitude desert.
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The pace of play can be... painful. On a beautiful Saturday in June, expect a five-hour round. It’s the most popular course in town, and it shows. Recently, they’ve been doing some major irrigation work. In 2024 and 2025, golfers had to deal with closed holes and temporary greens. It’s frustrating, but it’s necessary to keep the grass green in a city that gets very little rain.
Also, the greens are fast. Like, "downhill-putts-will-roll-off-the-front" fast. The locals know that everything breaks toward the city (east), even when it looks like it’s breaking toward the mountains. Trust the gravity, not your eyes.
Why You Should Actually Care
In an era where a round of golf at a resort like The Broadmoor can cost you $300+, Patty Jewett is a steal. You can usually walk 18 for under $50. That’s insane for a course that is this well-maintained and historic.
It’s a community hub. You’ll see the Pikes Peak Amateur tournament happening one weekend and a junior golf clinic the next. It’s where the city breathes.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
If you’re planning to play, keep these tips in mind to avoid the common headaches:
- Book Early: Tee times open up days in advance, and they vanish fast. If you want a morning slot, you need to be on the website the minute they go live.
- Walk if You Can: It’s a very walkable course. There aren't many massive elevation climbs between holes, and the old-growth trees provide decent shade.
- Check the Irrigation Status: Before you pay your green fee, ask the pro shop if there are any temporary greens or closed holes. They’ve been doing a lot of maintenance lately, and it’s better to know before you tee off.
- Dress (Sorta) Nice: There isn't a strict "country club" dress code, but you do need a collared shirt. Denim is actually okay here, which tells you everything you need to know about the vibe.
- Stay for Sunset: Even if you finish your round at 4:00 PM, stick around. Grab a table on the patio. The "Alpenglow" on the mountains is world-class.
Patty Jewett isn't trying to be Pebble Beach. It’s a gritty, historic, beautiful neighborhood course that has survived world wars and droughts. It’s the heart of golf in Colorado Springs. Go play it, just don't be surprised if the greens make you want to throw your putter into the Shooks Run creek.