GOLF NEWSLet the Stampede Begin to Buffalo Run Golf CourseBy Nate Nalbandian, TravelGolf.com Staff Writer COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Buffalo Run Golf Course is a superb example of what great course design and an ample investment can achieve. Hats off to Keith Foster, the architect for this course. The planning for Buffalo Run must have been meticulous and very expensive. Characterized by undulating fairways, strategically placed mounds, huge varying greens and even a few deep greenside bunkers, Buffalo Run differentiates itself from the run-of-the-mill Colorado Front Range course. The course design does seem to lack length on a few holes, depending on the tees you're playing from, but the layout more than makes up for lacking anything by countering with a different type of challenge. The layout of the course does make it a very long course to walk, however. If a hole lacks a factor such as length, like the 259-yard par-4 14th, the design makes up for it with well-placed bunkers and difficult greens. Difficult means that it's not uncommon for a chip or putt to roll right off the green. The 4th is one of the most aesthetically pleasing holes on the course. An uphill par three, the right side is lined by a small stream that runs over lots of rocks lending to cool little drop-offs. Near the green, there is a marshy area that swallows any tee shots that are short and right. Pay attention to the shape of the green on the scorecard, as a right side pin placement may entice you into the cattails. The course is relatively flat due to the lack of elevation changes away from the mountains. One exception is the fantastic par-3 17th. This hole is breathtaking upon first sight, yet that thought quickly gives way to indecision as you wonder how to play this hole. My recommendation is to play it conservatively, especially if the pin placement is on the left or back of the green. It's very difficult to get a tee shot close, so just getting to the center of the green and two putting is an accomplishment in itself. Avoid going too long or too far left. The majority of the course may seem straightforward in appearance on the scorecard map, but I would imagine it would take multiple rounds to discover the tricks and best approaches to playing every hole. This is because the course is riddled with mounds, bumps and sandtraps that you may or may not use, or avoid in your play. I could envision regulars playing this course better than first timers who are better than the regulars. Buffalo Run offers wonderful practice facilities. The putting green offers a fairly accurate preview of what to expect on the course. If you have the chance, spending some time there will save you some strokes on the greens during your round.
Buffalo Run is not a course I would recommend for anything less than an intermediate golfer, and even then, you should expect to lose a lot of balls in the deep grass which is just a few yards from the fairway. The pace is usually excellent, if you normally find most courses to move at a snail's pace. This may be intimidating to inexperienced players. Overall, Buffalo Run is one of the nicer courses in the Front Range and offers a challenge to golfers at the intermediate level and above. Its well designed layout may leave you wondering why more courses in the area didn't put in the effort to transform the generally flat terrain into the bumpy and challenging fairways and greens you will find at this course. While you may have a little more difficulty in handling these scarce obstacles, you may find yourself missing them at your regular track. Buffalo Run Golf Course
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