Looking to play the best golf courses in Colorado? GolfReviewsGuide.com picks out the top courses to play in Colorado.

When tourists think of Colorado, then they might think of the resort town of Vail. The area is best known for snow, chalets, and skiing rather than US golf courses.

However, there are distinguished golf courses in the state, including the Country Club of the Rockies which starts our top five list below for the best golf courses in Colorado.

1. Country Club of the Rockies

The Country Club of the Rockies, a member-owned and private club, is in Edwards, Colorado.

The par-72 and 7,402-yard course is near the resort town of Vail, a centerpiece of the USA’s Rocky Mountain tourist scene and an area well known for leisure activities.

The course, which has been in operation since 1984, was designed by a combination of Jack Nicklaus, Jay Morrish, and Thomas Pearson.

The accolades for this course have been noted as “one of the state’s premier courses”, a top-100 course in America for modernness and exceptional reviews from golfers who have teed it up here.

2. Ballyneal Golf Club

The golf course at the Ballyneal Golf Club near Holyoke, Colorado is held in very high esteem in Colorado.

Having opened in 2006, this par-71 course made it to No. 46 in Golf Digest’s review of American golf courses.

At 7,147 yards, architect Tom Doak clearly designed a gem of a course, one that is in the same greater area as the Pawnee National Grassland.

Expect a course with fescue turf, an isolated area, firm and fast conditions, and abrupt sand dunes.

3. Castle Pines Golf Club

Located in Castle Pines, Colorado, the Castle Pines Golf Club is a par-72 course that opened in 1981.

It is lengthier than your average championship course at 7,696 yards.

Conceptualized at the start as a world-class golf course, the legendary Jack Nicklaus takes the credit for the design of this beautiful gem, a course that is in the same greater area as the picturesque San Isabel National Forest.

One of the more memorable holes at this course is the opener with golfers greeted by an amazing view of the Rocky Mountain front range.

In 1987, Castle Pines was recognized in Golf Digest as one of the 100 best courses in the USA. It is a status that the course managers have maintained since that time accounting for more than three decades of excellence.

Golfers should expect a playable course with varying challenges between holes and five sets of tees at this private club.

4. Cherry Hills Country Club

The golf course at the Cherry Hills Country Club is a historic venue in Colorado.

William Flynn designed it back in the 1920s while Tom Doak is associated with efforts in 2009.

It is a par-72 venue at 7,348 yards in length located close to Cherry Creek State Park.

A private country club near Cherry Hills Village on the outskirts of Denver, the club’s 18-hole championship golf course is well complemented by a 9-hole par-27 course.

The Cherry Hills Country Club is remembered for hosting the 1960 US Open. Arnold Palmer made up a seven-stroke deficit in the final round to claim what ended up being his only US Open title.

In modern times Cherry Hills has hosted the BMW Championship (2014). The course once enjoyed a ranking of No. 21 by Golf Digest in its national rankings for 2003/04.

5. Arrowhead Golf Club

The Arrowhead Golf Club won’t appear on most top lists for golf courses in Colorado. However, this is a public course and that makes it more accessible than the crony-required private courses.

Furthermore, this is a course that has earned a high rating and left a great impression on its customers.

Having opened in 1972, this is a rare par-70 venue at a relatively short 6,636 yards for length.

Settled in the foothills outside of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed a course that was once called Golf Digest’s best public course in the Denver area.

Expect rolling terrain, wildlife, water hazards, bunkers, and sandstone formations thought to be 300-million years old.