Project Overview

First introduced in 2011 by the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) and the United States Golf Association (USGA), forward tees refers to the placement of an additional tee (anywhere from five to 50 feet depending on the hole) in front of the existing forward most tee, reducing the distance to the hole, and therefore, the number of strokes it takes to get the ball into the hole. The goal of forward tees is to improve pace of play, player enjoyment and economic sustainability. 

In 2019, to ensure the City of Arvada’s public courses are keeping pace with the sport and meeting the needs of the community, the Parks, Golf and Hospitality division commissioned the USGA Green Section to conduct a study of its courses. The study concluded that the majority of holes on the Indian and Cottonwood courses are 40 to 50 yards too long for the beginner golfer and recommended the addition of forward tees. Construction will begin, weather-permitting, in late February.

What players can expect to see on the courses

The project will be a “simple build,” meaning there won’t be a great deal of construction or construction equipment on the courses. Initial construction is anticipated to take about a month and another month for "grow-in," which consists of putting sod down and keeping it as healthy as possible, so that the new roots grow down into the soil to establish the new sod. Players can expect to see some sod cuts and some bare dirt for a while. The project is anticipated for completion sometime in May.