Riverdale

 (Dunes Course)

Brighton, CO

website: https://www.riverdalegolf.com/

• Playability: ⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️
• Difficulty: ⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️
• Views: ⛳️⛳️⛳️
• Course Conditions: ⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️
• Value: ⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️
• Facility: ⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️

Although there’s not much in Brighton other than Todd Helton’s favorite gas station (IYKYK), this gem of a golf course located outside the city is a must play for anyone in Colorado.

The playability of this course earned a 5 flag review. The par 72 layout has great par 3s, risk/ reward par 4s, and some gettable par 5s. This links style course plays anywhere from just over 7000 yards from the tips, to just under 4900 yards from the red tees and is filled with plenty of water, rolling hills, and designer Pete and Perry Dye’s signature- railroad ties! There are no holes that leave you muttering about how dumb it was or wondering where to hit it off the tee. Most of the holes are fairly straightforward and is an overall solid test of golf.

Difficult isn’t exactly a word we would use to describe the Dunes, but that also depends on the day. With plenty of water running around the course in the South Platte river this one earns a 4 flag review because missing tee shots badly will cost you quite a few penalty strokes. If you hit the ball in the right area off the tee box you will find yourself in a good spot to try and make some birdies.

The views at Riverdale Dunes earned the lowest overall review from us. As we stated earlier the property is in Brighton with not much around in the way of mountains or trees visible from the property. It did earn 3 flags mostly because of how beautiful the golf course property itself is. Immerse yourself in it because all that’s around is open fields.

The course conditions at Riverdale always earn a 5 flag review from us. This course has earned many rave reviews from golf blogs. Colorado Golfer Newspaper awarded it the “#1 public course in Colorado”, and has been called “One of America’s Best Golf Courses Everyone Can Play.” One of our favorite features of the well manicured course is the first tee box, which is usually cut down to the same length as a putting green. (Although this can be scary if you decide driver isn’t the play off of such a tight lie)

We awarded Riverdale Dunes 5 flags in the value category. Green fees for a non resident max out at $49 on a weekend (not including the cart fees) which is an absolute steal for this golf course called “One of America’s Most Affordable Courses” by Golf Magazine. Priced so low mostly because of the location, this place is beyond worth the drive out for an under $50 green fee and a great golf experience.

Facilities out at Riverdale dunes are kind of meh for lack of a better term. The clubhouse is fairly nice and there is a good selection in the proshop. The practice facilities are nothing to write home about. However, the main attraction is that Riverdale is home to the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame (below)- so make sure you check out all of the Colorado golf history and artifacts.(if you’re allowed inside the facility of course)

All in all, Riverdale Dunes provides one of the better overall golf experiences in the state of Colorado and is well worth the drive from anywhere in the state. It will leave you wanting to come back as soon as you can.