Cordillera (Mountain)

Although the Valley course has since become its most acclaimed, the first course at The Club at Cordillera was the Mountain course and it’s not difficult to figure out why. The vistas and mountain views, which stretch hundreds of miles, make an obvious choice for a golf club. The architect, three-time U.S. Open winner Hale Irwin, is also the greatest golfer in the state’s history so he made an equally obvious match for the Vail club.

Playing from the tips, the course stretches nearly 7,500 yards, but players will reap the obvious benefit of both the thin mountain air (the course sits at 8,250 feet) and gravity to help make up the difference on holes like the 620-yard par five at No. 4, which is also the strongest per the scorecard’s handicap guide.

Although the downhill play on the closing hole will provide a fine outgoing tee shot for your round, you may want to go with a smaller club. The fairway is pinched on both sides by ponds, which will quickly decide a match should one of the competitors miss big on that last big drive.