Golf in Denver

With their sprawling layouts and impressively appointed greens, these four private clubs, all of which were awarded four stars from Golf Digest, merit a special look over their city-operated counterparts simply because of their more-rural settings. On any Denver-area course, though, out-of-town golfers should keep in mind that the high altitude affects golf balls like it does baseballs—which is why the Rockies have so many more home runs when they bat at home. It's generally agreed that your golf ball will go about 10%-15% farther in the thin air here than it would at sea level.

Arrowhead Golf Club. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., this course is set impressively among red sandstone spires. It's 45 minutes from downtown in Roxborough State Park, which means any members of your group who don't want to golf can hike nearby. 10850 W. Sundown Trail, Littleton. 303/973-9614. www.arrowheadcolorado.com. 18 holes. Yards: 6,682/5,465. Par: 70/72. Green Fee: $49/$129.

Buffalo Run. A Keith Foster-designed course and the site for the 2004 Denver Open, the bargain-priced Buffalo Run counts wide-open views of the plains surrounding its lake-studded course among its charms, which also include streams running through it and the Bison Grill Restaurant. 15700 E. 112th Ave., Commerce City. 303/289-1500. www.buffalorungolfcourse.com. 18 holes. Yards: 7,411/5,277. Par: 72/71. Green Fee: $25/$44.

Ridge at Castle Pines North. Tom Weiskopf designed this 18-hole course with great mountain views and dramatic elevation changes. It's ranked among the nation's top 100 public courses. It's in Castle Rock, about 45 minutes south of Denver on I-25. 1414 Castle Pines Pkwy., Castle Rock. 303/688-0100. www.theridgecpn.com. Reservations essential. 18 holes. Yards: 7,013/5,001. Par: 71/71. Green Fee: $55/$100.

Riverdale Golf Courses. It's two golf courses in one: Riverdale has the Dunes, a Scottish-style links course designed by Pete and Perry Dye that sits on the South Platte River and offers railroad ties, plenty of bunkers, and water, while the Knolls has a more-gnarly, park-inspired layout. Both courses are shaded by plenty of trees, and you can't beat the green fee. 13300 Riverdale Rd., Brighton. 303/659-6700. www.riverdalegolf.com. Knolls: 18 holes. Yards: 6,771/5,891. Par: 71/72. Dunes: 18 holes. Yards: 7,064/4,903. Par: 73/70. Green Fee: $19/$43.

Six courses, City Park, Evergreen, Kennedy, Overland Park, Wellshire, and Willis Case, are operated by the City of Denver and are open to the public. Green fee for all range from $10 to $24. For same-day tee times, you can call the starters at an individual course, but for advance reservations golfers must call the main reservation system (303/784-4000) up to three days in advance.