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Battlement Mesa Golf Club

From Pastures to Pars: The Birth of Bella Ridge Golf Club

By Ed Buckley DIVOT Contributing Writer

They say every golf course has a story. But not every course was once home to 10,000 dairy cows. Meet Bella Ridge Golf Club, the new 18-hole public gem rising in Johnstown, Colorado where longhorns once roamed and now golfers tee off under the Rocky Mountain sky.

The land belonged to the Podtburg family for decades, their dairy farm humming with life through generations. It was one of those family farms where the kids, someday to be recast as golfers, spent summer days chasing calves and maybe, just maybe, launching a stray golf ball from pasture to pasture.

In the mid-2010s, as development crept closer and the housing boom pushed north, the Podtburgs realized their land had another calling: golf. With its rolling hills, natural valleys, and sweeping mountain views, particularly of Longs Peak, it begged to be something more than grazing ground. So they called in architect Art Schaupeter, the same creative mind behind TPC Colorado and Highland Meadows,

and asked him to work his magic.

Schaupeter, a Colorado native and terrain whisperer, embraced the land’s natural quirks: roughly 200 feet of elevation change, deep valleys, and a meandering creek.

He mapped out a par-72 championship layout that runs as long as 7,268 yards from the back tees, or as short as 3,200 yards from the forward tees, ensuring there's a tee box for everyone, from weekend duffers to low-handicap shotmakers.

Design touches throughout the course nod at the land’s former life. Take hole names like “Podtburg Point,” “Valley of Risk... Reward?”, and “Udderly Long”, a wink to the

dairy days now turned fairways and greens.

On Monday, October 6, 2025, Bella Ridge officially opened for “preview play,” complete with its elegant fairways, shapely bunkers, and that wide-open Colorado sky.

For now, the clubhouse is still wrapping up final touches, and golfers enter through a temporary driveway. Snack stops are limited to beverage-cart service, but even that feels like a nod to old-school links golf.

Come 2026, Bella Ridge plans to unveil a full practice complex: a 400-yard driving range, a 15,000-square-foot putting green, and short-game areas, perfect for the entire family to sharpen their swing, chip, and

putt. There will even be a golf simulator in the clubhouse, promising year-round play regardless of snow or sunshine.

But more than greens and bunkers, Bella Ridge represents a rebirth. It’s a transformation from milking cows to chasing birdies. It’s a tribute to land, lineage, and lifestyle. And it’s a beacon of what Colorado golf, friendly to families, accessible to public, respectful of nature, can be.

In a world of overbuilt subdivisions and cookie-cutter developments, Bella Ridge stands out. Here, fairways flow where wheat fields and pastures once stood. Here, laughter of kids learning to swing replaces the lowing of cows. And here, the mountains hold court over every tee shot, just like they have since long before anyone drove a Chevy over I-25.

So next time you find yourself north of Denver, I’d bet a pair of shiny new irons that Bella Ridge will welcome you with open, airy fairways, mountain views sharp enough to make you pause and the kind of peaceful, pastoral serenity only Colorado can deliver. From pasture to par, this course is ready for its first chapter under a very different flag.

For more information visit their website at www.bellaridgegolf.com. D

More to the Game: Where Purpose Meets Play

Changing Lives Through Golf in Westminster, Colorado

Golf in Westminster is more than just a sport—it’s a movement.

In Westminster, Colorado, golf is undergoing a quiet revolution. What was once viewed as a recreational pastime is now becoming a dynamic force for community development, environmental stewardship, and personal transformation. With its two flagship public courses, Legacy Ridge Golf Course and Walnut Creek Golf Preserve, Golf Westminster is proving that the game is about far more than birdies and bogeys. It’s about building something lasting. And it’s only just begun.

Golf That Gives Back

Golf Westminster’s philosophy is simple yet powerful: connect purpose with play.

In 2024, the program launched a first-ofits-kind partnership model linking golf with social and environmental responsibility. Collaborating with three mission-driven organizations: RMEGI, PGA REACH Colorado Foundation, and the Westminster Community Foundation, the initiative generated nearly $14,000 in its inaugural year. Every dollar raised was reinvested directly into causes that strengthen the environment, the community, and the future of golf itself.

• RMEGI uses its share to advance environmental initiatives like water conservation and responsible pesticide use.

• PGA REACH Colorado fuels programs such as PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) offering therapeutic golf experiences to more than 800 veterans each year, and Junior Golf programs that keep the game accessible to young players.

• The Westminster Community Foundation directs funding toward local projects that enrich residents’ lives, ensuring

that the benefits of golf reach beyond the fairways.

These contributions go beyond charitable giving, they represent a strategic investment in community well-being, sustainability, and the future of the sport.

Walnut Creek Golf Preserve: Where Nature Leads

Stretching across 215 acres of pristine landscape, Walnut Creek Golf Preserve is a model of environmental stewardship. As one of only two golf courses in Colorado, and just 13 in the western U.S. to achieve Audubon International Signature Sanctuary status, Walnut Creek sets the bar for ecofriendly golf.

This distinction honors landowners committed to protecting natural resources. Here, wetlands and native prairie coexist with fairways, creating habitats for over 77 species of wildlife and native plants. The course’s open terrain, framed by mountain views, reminds players that they’re part of something bigger than the game.

Legacy Ridge: Designed for Sustainability

Just a few miles away, Legacy Ridge Golf Course shares this same environmental DNA. Spanning 192 acres of native grasslands and wetlands, it integrates sustainable maintenance practices into its daily operations.

The layout crafted by acclaimed designer Arthur Hills balances challenge, and playability, weaving through scenic wetlands with panoramic Front Range views. Beyond its beauty, Legacy Ridge stands as a living example of how modern golf can coexist with conservation.

A Team With Purpose

Behind both courses stands the Golf Westminster team, powered by Colorado PGA of America Golf Professionals who see golf not just as recreation, but as a platform for growth and connection. They’ve created leagues, instructional programs, and youth opportunities that open the game to everyone from first-

time players to seasoned competitors. By aligning with organizations that reflect their core values of stewardship, inclusion, and excellence, Golf Westminster continues to push the boundaries of what a municipal golf program can achieve.

Building the Future: Youth and Community Outreach

The commitment to community extends beyond the fairways. Golf Westminster proudly partners with the PGA Junior League, offering young players a teambased introduction to the sport that emphasizes fun, mentorship, and lifelong skills. Through coaching by certified PGA Professionals, local juniors learn teamwork, respect, and confidence both on and off the course. In addition, the team actively engages with Cotton Creek Elementary School; bringing golf directly to students through outreach programs, and on-site learning experiences. These efforts introduce the game to new audiences while promoting physical activity, character development, and inclusivity at the grassroots level.

Golf today is evolving and Westminster is leading the charge.

Through the combined efforts of Legacy Ridge and Walnut Creek, the city is proving that golf can be a catalyst for environmental health, community impact, and lifelong learning. It’s about creating a legacy that reaches far beyond 18 holes one that inspires every player to leave the course better than they found it. With a focus on sustainability, community partnerships, and charitable impact, Golf Westminster is proving that golf can be both a game and a force for good.

For more information please visit their website: www.GolfWestminster.com D

COLORADO

Designer: Hughes/Hummel

Peaks Golf Course 42 (1-I)

Public 18R 303-666-4706 Lafayette

Fees: $40-$53 Opened: 1993 Designer: Hale Irwin/Dick Phelps Indian Tree Golf Course 43 (5-I) Public 18R 303-403-2542

$23-$27 Opened: 1973

Fees: $10-$47 Opened: 1984 Designer: Phelps/Benz

Golf Club 54 (14-O)

Private 18R 303-799-4043 Englewood

Fees: $75-$95 Opened: 1984 Designer: Jack Nicklaus Murphy Creek Golf Course 55 (10-S)

Opened: 1999

David Graham Overland Park Golf Course 57 (11-K)

Public 18R 720-865-0430 Denver

Fees: $27-$39 Opened: 1895 Designer: W. H. Tucker; Sr./W. F. Bell Park Hill Golf Club 58 (7-N)

Public 18R 303-333-5411 Denver

Fees: $25-$45 Opened: 1931 Designer: Clark Hamilton Perry Park Country Club 59 (16-K)

Private 18R 303-681-3186 Larkspur

Fees: $85-$95 Opened: 1969 Designer: Dick Phelps Pinehurst Country Club 60 (12-J)

Private 18R; 9R 303-985-1559 Denver

Fees: $80-$95 Opened: 1960 Designer: Press Maxwell Pinery Country Club, The 61 (15-R)

Private 27R 303-841-2850 Parker

Fees: $75-$85 Opened: 1972 Designer: David Bingham

Plum Creek Golf Club 62 (16-O)

Public 18R 303-660-2200 Castle Rock

Fees: $32-$69 Opened: 1984 Designer: Pete Dye Pradera, The Club at 63 (15-Q)

Private 18R 303-607-5700 Parker

Fees: N/A Opened: 2005 Designer: James J. Engh Raccoon Creek Golf Course 64 (13-J)

Public 18R 303-932-0199 Littleton

Fees: $29-$53 Opened: 1983 Designer: Dick Phelps Ranch Country Club, The 65 (3-K)

Private 18R 303-466-2111 Westminster

Fees: $55-$55 Opened: 1974 Designer: Dick Phelps Ravenna, The Club at 66 (14-H)

Private 18R 720-981-6000 Littleton

Fees: N/A Opened: 2007 Designer: Jay Morrish Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course 67 (16-N) Public 18R 720-733-3500 Castle Rock Fees: $50-$85 Opened: 1999 Designer: James J. Engh Red Rocks Country Clubv 68 (12-G)

Private 18R 303-697-8008

Marty Johnson Fort Collins Country Club 10 (18-N) Private 18R 970-482-9988 Fort Collins Fees: $45-$175 Opened: 1960 Designer: Henry Hughes Fox Hill Club, The 11 (22-N) Private 18R 303-651-7600 Longmont Fees: $60-$70 Opened: 1972 Designer: Frank

18R 970-482-4653

Prairie Golf Course 28 (25-W)

Public 9R No Phone Cope Fees: $5-$5 Opened: 1971 Designer: John Rudnik Prairie Pines Golf Club 29 (25-X)

Public 9R 719-346-8207 Burlington Fees: $15-$20 Opened:

Public 9R 719-336-5274 Lamar

Fees: $14-$16 Opened: 1965 Designer: Labron Harris Spring Valley Golf Club 29 (25-P) Public 18R 303-646-4240 Elizabeth Fees: $34-$48.90 Opened: 1997 Designer: Ross Graves

Municipal Golf Course 30 (36-W) Public 9R No Phone

Unknown Opened: 1945 Designer: J.R. Hatcher Springs Ranch Golf Club 31 (30-P)

18R 719-573-4863

Springs Fees: $28-$45 Opened: 1997 Designer: Dick Phelps Sumo Golf Village, The 32 (31-O) Semi-Private 18R 719-784-4653 Florence Fees: $38-$45 Opened: 2003 Designer: Gary Player Trinidad Golf Course 33 (38-Q)

Public 9R 719-846-4015 Trinidad Fees: $20-$29 Opened: 1918 Designer: Unknown Valley Hi Golf Course 34 (29-P)

18R 719-385-6911 Colorado Springs Fees: $29-$31 Opened: 1958 Designer: Henry Hughes

Stick Golf Course 35 (32-P)

Winter Without the Rust: Inside Colorado’s Indoor Golf Simulator Boom

By Ed Buckley DIVOT Contributing Writer

On a January evening in Colorado, it’s 22 degrees outside and the fairways along the Front Range are frozen stiff. But inside a converted warehouse in Denver, a foursome is peeling off hoodies, staring down a digital version of Pebble Beach on a 16foot screen. A launch monitor tracks every nuance of their swings, a bartender slides a beer across the bar, and a league leaderboard updates in real time.

Welcome to Colorado’s fastest-growing off-course golf habit: the indoor simulator lounge.

What started as a novelty in back rooms of sports bars has become its own business category. The Colorado Golf Association now lists dozens of indoor options statewide, from neighborhood bars with one or two bays to high-end lounges with leagues, coaching, and full kitchens. Increasingly, those bays are full all winter.

The Numbers: Why Sim Golf Is Exploding Nationally, simulator golf isn’t a sideshow anymore, it’s part of the core. The National Golf Foundation reports that simulator and “screen golf” participation has surged to

about 8.1 million users in 2024, more than double a few years ago. Overall golf participation also hit record highs: 47.2 million Americans played some form of golf in 2024, with around 19 million doing it through off-course experiences like simulators and entertainment ranges.

The money is following that trend. Market studies peg the simulator market at roughly $1.6 - 1.9 billion in 2024, with expectations it could double over the next decade on steady growth. For operators, the draw is obvious: simulators create yearround, weather-proof revenue in a sport that traditionally slows once the frost hits. For players, it’s staying sharp, social, and connected to the game without a four-anda-half-hour outdoor commitment.

Put that model in a state with long, cold snaps, a golf-obsessed population, and booming suburbs, and you have... Colorado.

Why Colorado Is

Perfect for the Sim Era

Colorado golfers live in a strange dual reality. We enjoy “300 days of sunshine,” but winter golf is still a roulette wheel of snowstorms, frozen greens, and “cart-pathonly” slogathons. For players wanting to keep a handicap honest, maintain speed, and not lose feel over four months, simula-

tors are a practical solution.

CGA coverage notes that Colorado has at least 30 indoor golf options, from lowkey joints to upscale “date-night” venues. That aligns with national patterns showing colder regions at the leading edge of simulator adoption.

Today’s typical sim customer also looks different from the old stereotype. National data shows strong growth among younger adults, women, and off-course-only participants discovering golf through technology, not tee sheets. For them, an indoor bay with music and food feels far less intimidating than a first tee box with strangers.

And the tech backs it up. Radar- and camera-based launch monitors capture club path, face angle, spin axis and ball speed with tourlevel precision. For serious players, a winter session on a high-end sim can be more datarich than a summer bucket of balls.

Front Range Standouts

From Loveland to Denver and down to the south suburbs, a new kind of “club” has arrived. Here are four simulator-driven businesses leading the way along the Front Range.

Back Nine Golf - 5 Locations

Back Nine Golf has quickly become

one of Colorado’s most recognized indoor golf brands, now with franchise locations in Inverness, Littleton, Colorado Springs and Pueblo; with new locations opening in 2026 in Westminster, Fort Collins, Loveland and more. Each site follows the same winning formula: premium-yet-approachable spaces designed to feel like a modern private lounge or clubhouse, but with the relaxed comfort of a neighborhood hangout.

Back Nine operates as a membershipfirst club, where members enjoy true 24/7 access, one of the signature benefits that sets the brand apart. Members can drop in for a focused practice session or a late-night unwind, knowing their bay is ready any time. Limited guest and non-member bookings are available, but the heart of the experience is built around member flexibility and community.

Every location features Full Swing simulators equipped with tour-level technology, delivering real-time shot data, ball tracking, and instant feedback that appeals to both improvement-minded players and tech lovers alike. Whether you’re grinding through winter leagues in Thornton, sneaking in a midnight round in Fort Collins, or hosting a corporate outing in Colorado Springs, Back Nine keeps the season alive

year-round with a consistent, elevated, member-driven golf experience.

Tee Shots – Loveland

Downtown Loveland has its own winter-proof clubhouse in Tee Shots, at 209 North Cleveland Avenue. Billed as Loveland’s premier indoor golf bar, it pairs TrackMan simulators with a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Their setups offer access to hundreds of courses worldwide, plus teaching tools, games, and putt-puttstyle challenges for non-golfers and kids. On any given evening you’ll see everything from league players grinding on numbers to families playing mini-games. Tee Shots leans into being both a practice facility and a social spot. Players can bring their own food, grab drinks at the bar, and treat it as a modern neighborhood hangout.

Ironwood Bar & Sports SIM – Longmont

Head south and east and you’ll find Ironwood Bar & Sports SIM, at 700 Ken Pratt Blvd, Suite 105. Ironwood markets itself as “Longmont’s best sports bar and golf simulators,” and backs it up with leagues, weekly tournaments, and openplay rentals built around modern sim tech. Its simulators are pitched as “the best on the Front Range,” with realistic courses suited to all skill levels, from beginners to low-handicappers chasing specific ballflight windows. They layer on the sportsbar experience: drink menu, soccer on TV, and a steady calendar of events that turn

For players wanting to keep a handicap honest, maintain speed, and not lose feel over four months, simulators are a practical solution.

winter into structured competitive season instead of downtime.

The Hangar Club – Denver (Lowry)

In Denver’s historic Lowry neighborhood, The Hangar Club takes the concept to a different scale. Housed in a 22,000square-foot WWII aircraft hangar at 7600 E 1st Place, it’s marketed as Denver’s premier indoor golf destination. Inside, golfers find 10 TrackMan simulators, a full kitchen, craft cocktails, and more than 30 TVs. Bays can host up to eight people, and the club offers leagues, memberships, lessons, fittings, and social or corporate events.

If Tee Shots and Ironwood feel like neighborhood clubs, The Hangar Club feels like an indoor destination course, the kind of place you might book weeks in advance for league night or bring clients for a winter “golf outing.”

30/70 Sports Bar – Westminster & Littleton

At the more casual, blue-collar end of the spectrum is 30/70 Sports Bar & Grill, with locations in Westminster and Littleton. It’s first and foremost a neighborhood sports bar — pool tables, dart leagues, big games on TV, trivia nights, live music and solid pub food. But tucked into that mix are simulators

locals use to hit balls, play virtual rounds, or run informal leagues. Regulars describe it as the place to go if you “want a beer, a game on TV and a simulator bay without any attitude.” It’s a reminder that in Colorado, sim golf isn’t just a luxury product, it’s also showing up in everyday neighborhood spots where golfers can sneak in a winter nine after work.

The Tech: From Toy to Training Partner

Under the hood, these businesses are riding the same tech wave reshaping golf everywhere. Launch monitors use radar and high-speed cameras to measure club and ball data with tour-level precision. Software renders photorealistic replicas of top courses and layers in skills challenges, contests, and online competition.

For many players, winter sim sessions now include dispersion charts, club-path visuals, and strokes-gained-style stats, turning what used to be “hitting into a screen” into real training time. Retailers are seeing the same thing, with strong growth in home simulation setups driven by golfers who discovered virtual golf commercially and wanted a bay in the garage.

What It Means for Colorado Golfers

So what does all this mean if you’re a

Colorado golfer reading this in the dead of winter?

You don’t have to go dormant. From Tee Shots in Loveland down through Ironwood in Longmont, The Hangar Club in Denver, and 30/70’s locations in Westminster and Littleton, there’s now a full corridor of indoor options to keep your swing and your scoring sharp until the snow melts. You can bring non-golfer friends and family. These venues are built for couples, mixed groups, and office outings, not just hard-core golfers. The barrier to entry is much lower than showing up at a Saturday 7:40 a.m. tee time.

You can treat winter like a training season, not an off-season. Leagues, lesson programs, and data-driven practice mean you can actually get better between November and March.

You’re supporting local golf entrepreneurs. Most of these businesses are homegrown operations that saw an opportunity in Colorado’s climate, and in the sport’s changing demographics, and ran with it. The takeaway is simple: In Colorado, winter used to mean a hard stop to your season. Now it just means moving the game inside.

So the next time the forecast calls for snow and single digits, you don’t have to mothball the sticks. Text your regular foursome, book a bay at one of these indoor “clubs,” and go play 18 at Pebble in a t-shirt while the wind howls outside. Your swing and your handicap will thank you by spring! D

Think New Clubs Will Save You?

Try Fixing These Off-Season Habits Instead

DIVOT Contributing Writer

Well, now that golf season is almost officially over, how did your year go? Did you accomplish the goals you set out to in the beginning of the year?

If your answer is no, then you probably think it’s because of the new club(s) you bought, or because you didn’t take enough lessons, or maybe because you didn’t practice enough? I suggest that for most golfers it’s simply because there was very little “off season” preparation. So let me propose five things you shouldn’t do this off season...

1. Be LAZY!

I mean seriously! General fitness, function and performance in life (not just golf) is important to the longevity of your life and physical “prowess.” If you’re like me and expect to be active… then you can’t be lazy. Be an athlete first, not a golfer.

2. Stop Stretching

Every day I deal with clients who have pain because of immobility (joints) and inflexibility (muscles). So, if you want to remain “able bodied”, do daily stretches. Flexibility can help your golf game.

Studies have shown that a regular weight training program can grow muscle tissue, strengthen ligaments and tendons. Without a good weight training program, there is no way for you to maintain the levels of functionality that golf requires.

4. Stop Practicing

I’m puzzled how most amateur golfers take the winter off from practice and training and expect to go out in the spring and play the way they did in late summer. Winter is an ideal time to work on your body and game, so be sure to meet with your golf professional to get a plan.

5. Stop Seeing Your Golf Pro

This one ties into all the above. Remember TPI’s motto, “we believe there are a million ways to swing a golf club and it’s based off what your body can do.” Can’t move well, limited swing potential – move as good as you can, unlimited swing potential. So if you have a desire to be a better golfer try these and I’ll bet next year will be better for you!

For more information please visit www.coloradogolffitnessclub.com D

Colorado Golf Expo Announces FREE PARKING for Exhibitors & Attendees

The Colorado Golf Expo is pleased to announce that parking will be completely FREE for attendees and exhibitors at the 2026 event, taking place March 6–8 at the brand-new National Western Center.

This exciting update reinforces the Expo’s commitment to making the event more accessible, convenient, and enjoyable than ever before. The move to the National Western Center brings a modern venue with excellent transportation access, expanded amenities, and now with free parking for all participants.

“Removing parking fees is a huge win for everyone attending the Colorado Golf Expo,” said Kevin Morton. “Whether you’re an exhibitor hauling in gear and displays or a golfer eager to explore the latest equipment, apparel, travel, and technology, free parking makes the entire experience easier and more affordable.”

The National Western Center provides direct, hassle-free access from both I-25 and I-70, making travel simple for guests across Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. With more than 1,700 parking spaces, smooth arrival routes, and a short walk to the Expo entrance, this year’s event promises the most seamless guest experience yet.

The 2026 Colorado Golf Expo is poised to be the largest and most dynamic edition in its history, featuring leading golf retailers, instructors, travel destinations, junior golf partners, and an expanded lineup of interactive attractions.

A Bigger, Brighter, Bolder Expo

• Longer Drives • Greatly reduced handicaps

• Greater accuracy in their game

• Better consistency in their swing • A loss of 20-30 pounds

• Playing without pain

FITNESS ASSESSMENT

For longtime Expo regulars, the switch to the National Western Center marks a brand-new chapter—one that feels a little fresher, a little roomier, and a whole lot more exciting. The upgraded layout means wider aisles for browsing, larger demo zones for testing clubs, and more elbowroom for swinging without accidentally cold-shanking a 7-iron into someone’s latte. (We’ve all been there.)

The new venue also allows the Expo team to stretch its creative wings. Expect more immersive golf experiences, more live instruction spaces, and an expanded putting and chipping area designed to test your early-season nerves. Whether

has something for you.

New Location, New Energy

The National Western Center has become one of Denver’s most versatile event hubs, and bringing the Golf Expo into this space injects a burst of energy into the season kickoff. The building’s high ceilings, wide walkways, and modern infrastructure create a more premium feel for exhibitors and attendees alike. And perhaps the best part? You don’t need a GPS, a sherpa, or a four-mile hike across a frozen parking universe to get inside. Free parking means you can zip in, stroll up, and be talking drivers, wedges, and destination golf trips in minutes.

The Annual Golf Kickoff Colorado Waits For Every spring, the Expo unofficially signals that golf season is coming back—regardless of what the weather decides to do outside. It’s where you feel the itch to regrip your clubs, dream about that Colorado mountain-course road trip, or finally commit to lessons you swore you’d take last year.

A Celebration of Colorado Golf Culture

The Colorado Golf Expo has always been more than aisles of booths. It’s the annual reunion of golf lovers across the state. Old friends bump into each other. League captains recruit new players. Parents introduce their kids to golf for the first time. And everyone, no matter their handicap, starts the season with the same hopeful optimism: This is the year I break 80… or at least stop three-putting. With its new home, expanded programming, and the gift of free parking, the 2026 Colorado Golf Expo promises to deliver its most enjoyable experience yet. Grab your buddies, grab your golf wishlist, and get ready... Colorado’s biggest golf weekend of the year is almost here.

For exhibitors or attendees seeking more information about booth availability, show specials, or general event details, visit ColoradoGolfExpo.com or contact the Expo team directly at info@coloradogolfexpo.com. Additional updates, schedules, and announcements will be posted online as the event approaches. D

You Don’t Have to be Good to be Good to Play With

By Jerry Walters

DIVOT Contributing Writer

How many have times have you gone to play golf with an incomplete group? The starter sends out a single and immediately his response is, “I’m not very good. I hope you can put up with me.” You need to understand this; that part is inconsequential. What does matter is that you’re enjoyable to be with for the next 5 hours?

So, as your congenial golf host and veteran savvy consultant, here are a few tips for the novices and beginners to assist you in ascertaining golf etiquette, even when you’re inept and are truly terrible at golf. After all, if you’re playing as a single, you WANT to be included and this primer will aid in searching out other golfers just like yourself.

Don’t be bashful about conceding putts, even on the first green. Since there is obviously no cash being played for in this quickly assembled group, make yourself out to be very generous. Any putt within, oh let’s say, 6 feet, might be acceptable to concede for starters. Take it upon yourself

to observe the others in your group. If they’re struggling with their putting skills, focus your generosity there. Almost immediately, you’ll witness reciprocity from the others in your group which will in turn create a bonding effect.

If you have some very expensive new golf balls, ask the rest of the foursome if they’ve tried them. If the answer comes back negative, offer to let them have one or an entire sleeve to sample. Golfers love to try new equipment. Nothing endears you to strangers as much as generosity, especially when it comes to golf equipment.

Refrain from jingling the change in your pocket when one of the group is over a crucial putt. The rest of the group can quickly determine that you have enough money to buy the course, but let everyone play without being disturbed by you. Save your change to tip the cart girl. Speaking of the beverage cart, offer to buy every time the rolling bar comes around. Nothing endears you to new golfers like the willingness to buy a round of cool beverages on a hot day while on the -

ported beers, but can’t always spring for them. Be the bigger person and order up. In fact, check with the attendant to see if she has enough on board to quench your group’s thirst until she comes back around. Here’s another common mistake that all beginners seem to fall victim to. Refrain from using the “early call.” Being complimentary about shots hit by the others in your group is good manners and displays inordinate courtesy, but delay your comments until the ball can be seen in the clear blue sky before belting out your commendation.

Honors! Many times the tee box is all I play for. Forget the pace of play here. Always be mindful of a special accomplishment on the previous hole. Reward that feat accordingly by stepping aside for the person with the lowest score. Your new-found friends will take notice and smile with acceptance.

No one wants to hear how dreadfully you played the previous hole. We were all witness to the errant tee shot that ended up in the lake, the unfair drop you gave yourself, the deplorable conditions in the bunker and the unrepaired pitch marks and slow green speed that affected your 4 putts. Don’t feel obligated to gain approval from the group just because your golf game needs improvement. We all have our own issues.

Golf course maintenance. Take it upon yourself to notice where the other three in your group land on the green. It’s always good manners to volunteer to fix their pitch marks without bringing undo attention to yourself for assisting the group. The same applies for using the sand and seed mixture provided by the maintenance staff. When your playing partners accidentally gouge a divot that you could re-sod your yard with, be sure to pour the compound into the cavernous exposed earth. They will appreciate the kind effort.

And, after the round is complete, while sitting around with your brand new buddies, here’s an important tip. Don’t go through each shot that occurred during your round. Rather, after you’ve bought the plate of extreme nachos, filled everyone with more cold foamy expensive beverages, and generously tipped the server, offer to arrange next week’s outing. Prepare to use your credit card to secure the tee time, and don’t be a pest about asking to be repaid. Be secure in knowing that you’ve made new friends and that you don’t have to be good to be good to play with.

Jerry Walters was honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame. He also teaches putting and short game at ExperienceGolf at CommonGround Golf Course. He can be reached at freegolf1@gmail.com D

Fall in Love with Golf All Over Again: Join the Amateur Players Tour

For many golfers, there comes a moment when the game feels routine, when the joy of teeing off fades into just another round. That’s exactly where local golfer Aaron Skiles found himself before joining the Amateur Players Tour (APT).

“I have always enjoyed playing golf, but I felt like something was missing,” he said. “Since joining the APT I no longer feel like something is missing. This league is amazing! I’ve absolutely fallen in love with golf all over again.”

That sense of rediscovered passion is what defines the Mile High Denver Chapter of the APT. Designed for golfers of all skill levels, APT offers a professional, fun, and communitydriven experience that transforms the typical weekend round into something much more meaningful. Each tournament is organized with precision and care by local director Kirk Hulbert, whose enthusiasm sets the tone for the entire league. “His communication and passion for golf are so noticeable,” shared Skiles. “Joining the APT has been one of the most fun, enjoyable, and rewarding athletic experiences I’ve ever had.”

With five divisions based on handicap, and the new Super Senior option for play-

stone Ranch, Pinehurst Country Club, Omni Interlocken and Legacy Ridge. Whether you’re a low single-digit golfer or still perfecting your swing, there’s a division that matches your skill level, ensuring fair play and friendly competition. Local Player of the Year is awarded to the top player in each division.

Membership also comes with incredible perks. For just $135, golfers receive a 365-day membership that includes eligibility to play in APT tournaments nationwide. Members can tee it up at top-rated courses across the U.S., earn cash prizes and trophies, and enjoy access to national majors while building friendships that last beyond the final hole.

And if you think golf season ends when Colorado’s weather cools, think again. APT’s national network means there’s always a tournament waiting somewhere sunny.

If you’re ready to experience golf the way it was meant to be—competitive, social, and unforgettable—join the Mile High Denver APT and rediscover your love for the game.

Learn more or join today at www.aptgolf.org Contact Kirk at kirk@aptgolf.org for local membership details. D