The Ultimate College Football Away Game Golf Guide

Support your college football team on the road and play some golf 

By Jay McKinney

The air is crisp, leaves light up the landscape with their changing color, and as the days get shorter with winter approaching, every round of golf is more special than the last during the Fall.

As the seasons change, so do the activities that people dedicate their time to. June and July might be filled with twilight golf rounds that finish when the sun is setting past 8 pm, but by October and November, people are beginning to migrate indoors. It’s a time to cozy up on the couch and watch college football while yelling at the TV in joy or anger. Having a winning team to root for can make winter bearable, but regardless of record, Colorado fans will support their teams through thick and thin. Golfers who want to support their team on the road and keep their swing intact might want to consider these courses for a vacation centered around golf and a game. 

University of Colorado

With his undeniable swagger and contagious confidence, Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes stole the spotlight of college football last year when he announced, “We Coming.” Don’t be afraid to exude that same level of confidence when stepping onto the first tee at these courses in Tucson, Arizona. The Buffs take on the University of Arizona on Oct. 19.

If You Know Someone: The Stone Canyon Club

Just north of Tucson in the town of Oro Valley lies a desert oasis. The Stone Canyon Club was designed by Jay Morrish and it is notably the only course within the greater Tucson area to crack Golf Digest’s top 100 courses in the United States. Lying in the shadow of the TortolitaMountains, the rugged landscape is littered with towering cacti and other desert flora that make errant shots extra intimidating. In November of 2020, the Stone Canyon Club hosted the third edition of ‘The Match’ with Phil Mickelson and Charles Barkley taking on Peyton Manning and Stephen Curry. 

If You Don’t Know Someone: Arizona National Golf Club

This public golf course is considered one of the best in the Tucson area and worth every penny. The 6,785-yard track will test golfers of all skill levels, but it is always fair. While playing the course, golfers are treated to the majestic scenery of the Santa Catalina Mountains and Coronado National Forest. Nine natural springs throughout the property bring water to the arid landscape. After the round, enjoy dinner or a drink on the patio and soak in the southwest beauty. 

Colorado State University

On Oct. 5, the Colorado State University Rams will take on the Oregon State University Beavers. Pack your best rain gear and check out these courses in the beautiful northwest. While these courses are more than 2.5 hours from Corvallis, both are worth the drive. 

If You Know Someone: Tetherow Resort and Golf Club (semi-private)

Tetherow Resort and Golf Club located in Bend is considered the gold standard when it comes to golf in central Oregon. The golf course was designed by David McLay Kidd who has an impressive portfolio of designs that includes Bandon Dunes and the Castle Course in Scotland. However, he fell in love with the town of Bend so much that he decided to move there. With panoramic views of the Cascade Peaks and its rugged natural landscape, Tetherow is truly a special golf course. When designing it, McLay Kidd worked closely with the Audubon Society to preserve the habitat and become an Audubon-certified golf course. While Tetherow is semi-private and accessible to play, it always helps to know a member.  

If You Don’t Know Someone: Bandon Dunes

Every serious golfer has a bucket list of courses to play, and Bandon Dunes is likely near the top. There are seven links courses total and five of them are properly ranked in the top 20 of the 100 best public courses in the U.S. The other two are par 3 layouts that are redefining what a golf course can be. Bandon Preserve is a 13-hole par 3 course that opened in 2012 and Shorty’s is a 19-hole par 3 course that opened in 2024. Golfers will want to play as many of them as they can and there’s no wrong choice as Bandon Dunes lives up to its tagline, “Golf as it was meant to be.” 

Air Force

If you’re able to pull yourself out of the Thanksgiving food coma, book a trip to southern California. Air Force plays San Diego State on Nov. 30 (two days after Turkey Day) and the weather will surely be superior to Colorado by that point. 

If You Know Someone: San Diego Country Club

San Diego Country Club was established in 1897 and was the first country club in San Diego. It was originally a nine-hole course located where Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo are, but it was forced to relocate in 1913 while the city prepared to host the Pan American Exposition in Balboa Park. However, the current location of the club was acquired in 1920 when members purchased 160 acres In Chula Vista. More than 100 years later and San Diego Country Club is still one of the best private clubs in southern California. In 2025 the club will host the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

If You Don’t Know Someone: Torrey Pines Golf Course. With 36 holes hugging the Pacific Ocean Coastline, Torrey Pines’ North and South courses are the pinnacle of municipal golf. It’s home to the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour and the south course has also hosted two U.S. Opens in 2008 and 2021. Tiger Woods took the trophy in 2008 with one of his most memorable performances as he battled through an injury to beat Rocco Mediate in a competitive 18-hole playoff that ended in sudden death. To play the same holes as this legendary part of golf history is a rare privilege that isn’t common for a municipal course. 

University of Denver

There might not be a football team, but the DU hockey program is one of the best in the country. On Nov. 1 and 2 DU takes on Yale. Unfortunately, Yale Golf Course is closed until 2026.  If You Don’t Know Someone: The Yale Golf Course is consistently recognized as one of the best collegiate courses in the nation with its large greens, deep bunkers and wide fairways that are meticulously cared for. It was designed by Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor and opened in 1926. As it approaches its 100th anniversary, Yale Golf Course is currently undergoing a complete restoration and is closed. However, it plans to reopen in 2026 to celebrate its centennial and one can hope that DU will return to Connecticut that year. After the restoration, expect Yale Golf Course to solidify its status as the nation’s premier university course.

Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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