Vail Golf Club

The thin air at 8,150 feet adds serious distance to your drives, but don't let that fool you into thinking this mountain track plays easy—the elevation changes and strategic bunkering demand precision over power. Water comes into play on half the holes, including a spectacular island green that floats in Gore Creek, while the backdrop of the Gore Range provides the kind of Alpine scenery that makes three-putting almost forgivable. This Jack Nicklaus design rewards course management and club selection adjustments, making it a thinking golfer's playground where local knowledge pays dividends.