Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
The Takeaway: Never has the name of a course given a more poignant depiction of what you'll find while teeing it up than at CommonGround. The course "made for the people" traverses relatively uninspiring terrain and features mostly forgettable hole designs; but ultimately meets the goal it set to accomplish. Grade C
Quick Facts
Designer: Tom Doak 2009
Cost: $45 - $77 ($22 for a cart, $10-$20 for optional caddie) Click for current rates
Phone Number: 303-340-1520
Course Website: Official Website - Visit CommonGround Golf Course's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 10300 E Golfers Wy, Aurora, Colorado 80010 – UNITED STATES
Photos: See additional photos of CommonGround Golf Course
What to Expect: Some course's names depict a prominent feature at the course or something in the area, and CommonGround describes the land poignantly. The uninspiring flat terrain is countered by Tom Doak doing a fantastic job of designing a course that will cater to beginners while still allowing single digit handicappers to have a challenge from the back tees. The course's mission is, "To provide everyone in the state with a first-class environment in which to comfortably learn, enjoy, and support this amazing game and all that it offers." CommonGround successfully does this by hosting a myriad of players every day and having a course that can accommodate all levels of players. The turf is in surprisingly good condition for a track that gets a ton of play and the routing is virtually seamless which lends itself to an easy walk. On the flip side, there aren't holes that really stand out as being great or very memorable. The greens are good but tame by Doak standards and the driving widths are plenty wide. Ultimately, CommonGround is the type of course I wish was getting installed in more places as a municipality effort that caters to such a wide array of players, but in terms of "greatness", CommonGround is, well, common.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 71 | 7229 | 73.2 | 131 |
| Black/Gold | 71 | 6941 | 71.4 | 130 |
| Gold | 71 | 6721 | 70.6 | 128 |
| Gold/White | 71 | 6497 | 69.4 | 125 |
| White | 71 | 6365 | 68.9 | 122 |
| White/Red | 71 | 5942 | 67.1 | 118 |
| Red | 71 | 5543 | 65.3 | 111 |
| Red (Ladies) | 71 | 5543 | 70.1 | 125 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 2nd Hole – 144 Yard Par 3 – The first one-shotter at CommonGround offers Doak an opportunity to use some architectural creativity on ground that rarely offers it. The ground between the forward tee box and green was used to create a raised putting surface and given some dimension to otherwise flat ground. The mountain backdrop is a quick reminder you are in Colorado and the short distance should give players an opportunity to be aggressive attacking the flag.
Best Par 3: 14th Hole – 229 Yards – The lengthy 14th could be a relatively boring hole considering the terrain it covers, but Doak put in a small hillock short of the green that is covered in long grass and blocks the view of a portion of the green. The raised putting surface on the left side gives players an opportunity to work the ball off that portion of the green where they have a clean visual of their target while players unphased by the hillock can be as aggressive as they want to the day’s pin location. With the green sloping from front to back, playing a bit short of the distance and letting the ball trundle towards the flag is the ideal play.
Best Par 4: 16th Hole – 476 Yards – The lengthy 16th is not only a great test, but features some of the most interesting terrain at CommonGround. The hole features large 50' trees on the inside of the leftward bend in the fairway while the right side of the fairway boasts a single tree that can cause havoc to players bailing out too far. The slightly downhill approach shot plays to a green surrounded by a trio of deep bunkers; the front right being the most deadly to find yourself in. The contours of the green aren't crazy, but with it being one of the more difficult greens to hit in regulation it is nice to have some reprieve.
Best Par 5: 11th Hole – 539 Yards – Don't go left, don't go left, and don't go left. A pair of bunkers protect the left side of the driving zone before giving way to a lake that runs the rest of the length of the hole including along the side and back of the green. If players elect to layup, they'll want to stay up the right side but keep their ball short of the bunker positioned 75 yards from the front edge of the green. With the fairway bending left, this is a great risk/reward situation where the further left you go the shorter the hole gets; but the more trouble that comes into play.
Birdie Time: 8th Hole – 355 Yard Par 4 – The shortest par four at CommonGround, the 8th hole begs players to bomb their drive over the bunker on the right side of the hole which will open up the ideal angle into the green. With a small false front and two bunkers protecting the leading edge of the green, approach shots should be played to the center of the green so that a birdie putt can be played aggressively.
Bogey Beware: 15th Hole – 505 Yard Par 4 – Tipping out over 500 yards and given only four strokes to get down in par, the 15th adds insult to injury by also playing uphill. 200 yards from the green on the left side is a cavernous bunker that is deep enough to prevent players from having any chance at reaching the green in regulation if tee shots find their way into them. Once players have a chance at reaching the green, they'll find a two-tiered putting surface that can quickly yield three-putts if not navigated with a deft touch. Managing to walk away with a four here will feel like taking a stroke on the field.
