You’re driving up Morrison Road, the hogback is looming large on your left, and if you aren’t paying attention, you might miss the turn for one of the most interesting municipal experiments in the Rockies. Honestly, calling Fox Hollow Golf Course in Lakewood a "muni" feels like a bit of an insult. It's too nice. It's too quiet. Most city-owned tracks are flat, tired pieces of land where you dodge range balls from the adjacent fairway. Not here.
Fox Hollow is different.
It’s twenty-seven holes of pure variety. People talk about "links style" or "parkland" or "canyon" courses like they have to choose one and stick with it for four hours. At Fox Hollow, you basically get a buffet. You can play through a valley of massive cottonwoods in the morning and be staring down a red-rock canyon by lunch. It’s weird. It shouldn’t work as well as it does, but since 1993, it has been the gold standard for Jefferson County golf.
The Three Faces of Fox Hollow
Most people don't realize that Fox Hollow Golf Course in Lakewood isn't just one course. It’s three distinct nine-hole loops: The Canyon, The Meadow, and The Links. Designed by Denis Griffiths, the layout was actually the first in the United States to be designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. That sounds like marketing fluff, but it means something when you’re out there. You’ll see red-tailed hawks, maybe a coyote if it’s early, and definitely more deer than you can count.
The Canyon Nine: Not for the Slicers
If you have a persistent power-fade (read: a slice), the Canyon Nine is going to hurt your feelings. It is tight. You are playing through a literal canyon where the walls aren't just for show—they will kick your ball into the abyss or, if you're lucky, bounce it back into the short grass.
The elevation changes are the real story here. You’ll stand on tee boxes where the wind is howling, looking down at a fairway that looks like a green ribbon draped over a rock pile. It requires discipline. If you try to bomb a driver on every hole, you’re going to run out of balls by the turn.
The Meadow Nine: A Breath of Fresh Air
This is where the course shows its softer side. It follows Bear Creek, and the vibe is much more traditional. Big, old trees. Lush, wide fairways. It feels like a country club from the 1950s, minus the stuffy dress codes and the $50,000 initiation fee.
But don't get lazy. The water is everywhere. Bear Creek isn't just a scenic backdrop; it’s a ball magnet. On a hot July afternoon, the shade from the cottonwoods is a lifesaver, but the humidity near the creek makes the air heavy. Your ball won't fly quite as far as it did up on the Canyon ridges.
The Links Nine: Wind and Grass
Then there’s the Links. It’s the newest of the bunch and feels completely different. No trees to speak of. Just rolling hills, tall native grasses, and the wind. If the wind picks up off the Front Range—which it usually does by 2:00 PM—the Links Nine becomes a monster.
You have to play the ground game here. Punch shots. Bump-and-runs. It’s a bit of a psychological shock if you just finished the Meadow and suddenly there’s nowhere to hide from the sun or the breeze.
Why Lakewood Beat the Odds
Let’s be real. Lakewood isn't exactly a global tourism hub. Yet, Fox Hollow Golf Course in Lakewood stays packed. Why? Because the city actually puts money back into the turf. I’ve played "luxury" resorts in Scottsdale that had worse greens than Fox Hollow on a random Tuesday in October.
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The maintenance crew here is legendary among local sticks. They keep the bentgrass greens fast and true. If you’re used to the bumpy poa annua greens at some of the older Denver courses, the surfaces at Fox Hollow will feel like putting on a pool table. They are slick. If you find yourself above the hole on the Canyon's fifth, just breathe on the ball. Anything more and it’s off the front of the green.
The Cost of "Muni" Greatness
There is a catch. Because it’s so good, getting a tee time is basically like trying to buy Taylor Swift tickets. If you aren't on the website the second the window opens, you’re playing at 4:40 PM or not at all.
Prices have crept up, too. Gone are the days of the $40 round. You’re looking at a significant chunk of change for a weekend morning with a cart. Is it worth it? Probably. Compared to private clubs like Bear Creek Golf Club just down the road—where you need a member invite and a collared shirt that costs more than a wedge—Fox Hollow is a steal.
Dealing with the "Colorado Factor"
Golf at 5,500 feet is a different sport. If you’re visiting from sea level, your 7-iron is suddenly a 6-iron. Or maybe an 8. It’s confusing.
At Fox Hollow Golf Course in Lakewood, the thin air combined with the massive elevation drops on the Canyon nine means your ball stays in the air forever. Gravity just feels optional sometimes. But the thin air also means the ball doesn't curve as much. Your slice won't be quite as dramatic, but your straight shots will go long. Way long.
The weather is the other thing. You can start a round in short sleeves and end it in a parka. I’ve seen it snow in May on the 14th hole, only for the sun to come out by the 16th. That’s just Jefferson County. If you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes.
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The Clubhouse and the "Vibe"
The Den at Fox Hollow is actually a decent restaurant. That’s rare. Usually, golf course food is a sad hot dog and a bag of chips. Here, they actually have a patio that overlooks the course and the mountains. It’s one of the best spots in Lakewood for a beer, even if you didn't play.
The staff is... well, they’re busy. They aren't going to pamper you like a high-end resort. They want you to check in, get your cart, and keep up with the group in front of you. Pace of play is a religion here. If you start falling behind, the marshals will find you. They aren't mean about it, but they are firm.
Common Mistakes at Fox Hollow
- Over-clubbing on the Canyon. Seriously. Take one less club than you think on the downhill shots.
- Ignoring the grain. Even though these aren't mountain greens, they still break toward the valley.
- Not booking in advance. You can't just "show up" here on a Saturday. You will be disappointed.
- Skipping the range. The range at Fox Hollow is actually quite nice, and since the three nines are so different, you need to find your swing before you head out.
How to Actually Play Well Here
To score at Fox Hollow Golf Course in Lakewood, you have to be a strategist. This isn't a "grip it and rip it" type of place.
On the Canyon, play for the middle of the green. The hazards are punishing. On the Meadow, watch the water hazards that cross the fairways—they are often hidden from the tee. On the Links, keep the ball low.
If you’re playing a composite 18 (like Canyon/Meadow), realize that the transition is jarring. You go from tight and rocky to wide and watery. It takes a couple of holes to adjust your eyes.
Practical Steps for Your Next Round
- Book 7 Days Out: If you are a Lakewood resident, take advantage of your priority. If not, be on the website at midnight.
- Check the Layout: Download a GPS app. Many of the hazards at Fox Hollow aren't visible from the tee box, especially on the Meadow nine.
- Hydrate: It’s high desert. You’ll be at nearly 6,000 feet on some tees. If you don't drink water, the "back nine collapse" isn't a swing issue; it’s altitude sickness.
- Pick Your 18 Wisely: If you want the "Colorado Experience," play Canyon/Links. If you want a classic, relaxed round, go Meadow/Links.
- Arrive Early: The parking lot can get chaotic, and the walk from the car to the pro shop is uphill. Give yourself twenty minutes before your tee time just to settle in.
Fox Hollow remains a jewel because it refuses to be just one thing. It's a chameleon. It challenges the low handicapper with its tight windows and rewards the casual player with its views. Just remember to bring extra balls for the Canyon and a camera for the sunsets. You're going to need both.