The snow has melted, the skis are stored for the summer, and it’s time to get into the swing of things! Golf is always a favorite activity to kick off summer. From big-name designed courses from the likes of Robert Trent Jones and Arnold Palmer to the stunning backdrop of the Gore Range, there’s no better place to hit the links than Vail and Beaver Creek.
And did you know that the high altitude of the Rocky Mountains makes golf balls fly 10% farther? While it sounds like inflated folklore, the aerodynamic researchers at Titleist concur. With a driver, you get an extra 2.5 yards per 1,000 feet of altitude. At a base elevation of 8150’ your game can certainly go the distance! Fortunately, the extra boost only kicks in for long drives, meaning your short game doesn’t require any adjustments.
While there’s no shortage of fantastic courses in the Vail Valley. Here are a few of our favorites.
Located in East Vail, this course designed by Vail pioneer Ben Krueger, is a classic. Built in 1962, its greens have had over 50 years to mature, while its recently built clubhouse is one of the newest in the valley. Golf Digest has given the Vail Golf Course the distinction of being one of the top 100 resort courses in the country and it’s a Colorado Avid Golfer CAGGY award-winner. Its tree-lined fairways are flat making it one of the easiest courses in the valley to walk or golf bike around (carts are also available) and the Beaver ponds and greens that hug Gore Creek challenge even the best golfers’ game.
This beautiful Championship 18-hole course, built by the Devlin-Van Hagge design team, is located in EagleVail just about 5 minutes from both Vail and Beaver Creek resorts. They take their birdies seriously at EagleVail Golf Course. In 2017, after an extensive 2-year review process, EagleVail became certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. For those newer to golf, there’s also the nearby Willow Creek par 3 course at EagleVail Golf. Besides being an approachable par 3, Willow Creek has taken introducing golf to the younger set to new levels. There’s even the latest craze, fling golf available. It’s touted as a game we can all play, this easy-to-master mix between golf and lacrosse is a popular one. Don’t worry, fling golf at Willow Creek doesn’t interfere with the Championship EagleVail course. It’s just a fun family alternative.
Eagle Ranch Golf Club
Located 35 minutes West of Vail and offers an 18-hole full-length course.
About 30 minutes west of Vail, this Arnold Palmer-designed signature course is well worth the ride. This former ranch-turned-golf course gives you plenty of room to work on your game and is in a beautiful setting as a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Even Arnold Palmer agrees, saying, “The landscape, the natural water coming off the mountains really makes for a great venue. Eagle Ranch is about as pretty as you’d ever want to see.."
An 18-hole, Pete Dye-designed championship golf course just minutes from the Eagle/Vail Airport and Jet Center. It is open to the public and offers the longest golf season in Eagle County.
Located in Gypsum, about 45 minutes west of Vail, this course initially opened in 1997 as a semi-private club called Cotton Ranch, but the Town of Gypsum bought it in 2010. It is now open to the public. Its West of Vail location means milder weather and the longest golf season in the valley. It also boasts beautiful views of the Red Table Mountains.
A private golf club located 40 minutes west of Vail.
Moving Mountains has four spectacular luxury vacation homes available for 30+ night stays in the Cordillera neighborhood - also host to The Club at Cordillera with four distinct golf courses. Golf is decidedly the focal point of The Club at Cordillera, and the Valley, Mountain, Summit, and Short courses provide some of the most balanced, challenging, and enjoyable mountain golf in the world. With four incredible courses, there is something for everyone. The Club at Cordillera is membership only, click here to learn about membership options.
Check out our spectacular homes in the Cordillera neighborhood.
Located at Vail's sister resort of Beaver Creek, about 15 minutes West of Vail.
This Robert Trent Jones-designed course is a semi-private favorite. With challenging fairways and the beautiful Beaver Creek ski mountain as its backdrop, this course welcomes our guests (staying within the Beaver Creek gates) between June 15 and September 15. Just as you would expect from anything Beaver Creek resort-related, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies are passed on platters at 1 pm and eucalyptus cold towels are available at the end of the game While eagles may not be prevalent on your scorecard, you very well might score a sighting or two above your head.
Why not stay at Chalet Fairway with beautiful views of the Beaver Creek Golf Course? More details here...
While you might strive to shoot under par on your Steamboat vacation, you definitely don’t want to stay somewhere that’s subpar!
Check out some of our amazing homes near golfing in Vail & Beaver Creek;
