Sonnenalp - Colorado - USA

Americans appreciate the skiing precedent set by the Alps, hence the name of the Sonnenalp Club near Vail, one of the most popular skiing destinations in the United States. That said, members also appreciate golf, hence why this course boasts of the longest golf season in the region.

Bob Cupp is certainly no stranger to adventurous routings, so he headed into the hills with Jay Morrish to create the 7,100 course at Sonnenalp. The route pulls no punches, opening with a 610-yard par five.

Most of the adventure will occur during the second half of the course, which sits closer to the rising mountains. The run from No. 12 to No. 14 may be the most exciting, as players will carry a deep gulch with their second shot on the first of these holes, play near-blind up a hill to a well-guarded green at No. 13, and then back down again for a skydiving par three at No. 14.

Despite these facts, the ultimate aim for the course was to create something both playable and walkable; although there are hills, members won’t require a chairlift to get to the highest points.