I recently played CommonGround on very, very windy day in Denver. Since there are an abundance of pix on this thread, I didn’t take any (plus my camera sucks), but here are a couple initial thoughts. First, I don’t care if this were a rank-and-file muni, CCFAD, or private club, this was very good and very fun golf. Superb use of width and angles, as evidence in those pix of #1, #4 (cape), #10, #11. Fairway width was especially useful in the wind, as it provided plenty of opportunity to hit the fairway, and I imagine that keeps the pace-of-play moving so players aren’t searching for their balls in the rough. Conditioning was fine. Greens were fast enough, and putted true enough. For the group that are fans of Rustic Canyon (as I am), I think CommonGround is equally worthy, and multiple plays should allow one to appreciate the angles, and run-offs, etc.
I agree with many of the thoughts that have been made here that the course is very interesting around the greens, maybe more so than off the tee. However, it seems those green complexes, and the variety of shots needed to play into them and around them after you’ve missed the putting surface was very dependant on the angle of your approach shot. I had to imagine and then play a number of different shots with a variety of different clubs, and that’s something I haven’t done since coming back from playing in the UK (Wales).
The greens are big and well done, and the thoughts and details are clearly there. I really liked the par-5 3rd… part punchbowl, part “boomerang” like the 7th at Crystal Downs. Wonder if T. Doak was influenced at all by that green?
Much as been said about the closing 5 holes… and I wholeheartedly agree that they are a fantastic stretch, especially the blind 2nd shot on the par-5 18, with an Alps-type bunker (I think) a little off to the left of the green.
All in all, my playing partner, who is very good, lo-handicapper, and I really liked CommonGround. While the land was certainly flat in a number of areas (holes 3 and 4) #11, I do think there was plenty of intrigue in dealing with bunkers, especially those of the crossing nature, and angles into the putting surfaces. And, for $75 for both us, not sure there’s a better deal to be had anywhere! So, if and when one is in the Denver area, CommonGround is well worth your time and money.