As the cooler weather rolls into Vail, Colorado, there is nothing more invigorating than teeing off at 8,150 feet on a local course. Vail’s golf scene is unmatched in autumn: You can perfect your drives surrounded by golden aspen groves and freshly snowcapped mountains — and the thinner alpine air sends the ball a little bit farther. Below, check out our top tips for golfing in Vail this fall.
1. Choose the Right Tee Time
In fall, mid-day tee times, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., will be warmest, but may be a bit more crowded. You’ll find fewer people on the courses in the early morning and late afternoon on a crisp fall day. So, if you want to skip the crowds, bundle up and schedule an early tee time. Prefer to watch a cotton-candy sunset from the green? Most courses offer twilight rates and discounts after 3 p.m.
Cool-Weather Preparation
- Warm up: Cool weather impacts our joints and muscles, so stretch gently before that first round of golf.
- Abbreviated swing: You may notice a shortened swing in chilly weather. This is a natural response of your body to the weather. Instead of fighting it, use the change to improve your clubface impact with the ball for more precision.
- Time your arrival: Being on time always helps, but having time for a stretch and a hot coffee never hurts. Arrive to the clubhouse or pro shop at least 10 minutes before you tee off to warm up.
2. Choose Fall-Weather Golf Attire
Staying comfortable will make your Vail golf excursion an overall better time, starting with warm shoes and socks. Gloves and hand warmers are also great additions. Layering is your friend in cold alpine weather. Start closer to the skin with warm thermal underwear or leggings and pants. Tucking your shirt into your pants will keep cool air from creeping in during your golf swing. Long-sleeved shirts or golf pullovers are also great for insulation against the elements.
Don’t let the cold air confuse you — you still need sun protection. Apply sunblock to avoid a burn at sunny high altitudes. Protect your eyes with a hat and sunglasses. Stay hydrated and drink lots of water to avoid losing too much fluid from sweating.
3. Bring Extra Socks & Hand Warmers
Some players tense up when they grip their clubs because their hands get cold. Keeping the proper grip and using your fingers instead of gripping the club like a baseball bat will keep your swing aligned with your target.
Wearing at least one golf glove helps retain heat and, if you’re prone to cold hands, you can wear over-mittens or slip-on warm winter mittens for a few minutes before your next swing. Battery-operated or rechargeable warmers work fine, but simple hand warmers are an inexpensive option that lasts up to 10 hours.
Having an extra pair of socks can keep the piggies warm, too. In fact, some golfers wear two pairs while playing. There’s also nothing wrong with warming up your feet a little by taking a break and grabbing some hot tea, coffee or lunch. While you’re relaxing indoors, you can replace your socks with a fresh, dry pair if they get wet from the grass.
4. Use a Different Club Than Normal
Your ball flies farther at altitude, so try using a different club while golfing in Vail. If you usually drive 250 yards off the tee, you can expect to see soaring golf shots of 275 and even 300 yards — especially when you play a course like Vail Golf Club, where several fairways are flat, and you’ll get the added bounce and roll from the harder ground.
Usually, in colder weather, you want to add a club length, but with the high elevation in Vail, you will end up dropping a club length. On flat fairways and warm days, you may need to consider club selection even more carefully.
Distance and selection may be significant for shots leading to fairway hazards and the occasional decision about wedge shots. You may want to take short, high loft shots with your highest pitch club instead of an intermediate loft club to go pin high and keep your ball from drifting past the green. Also, remember to keep your beloved golf clubs in your hotel room or inside overnight. Leaving them in the car during severe drops in weather can damage them.
5. Try Walking: Exercise is a Great Way to Warm Up
Walking the course offers great exercise and stunning summit views. Avoid the temptation to linger at scenic points too long (but do peek at the beautiful fall leaves). Another way to warm up is to walk the course with a hand cart instead of a riding golf cart. Hand carts allow you to have all your clubs with you for each shot and give you more time to concentrate on club selection and shot direction before you approach your ball.
6. Have Realistic Expectations
No matter how much extra distance you gain from Vail Valley’s high-altitude golf courses, the cool fall weather may steal some of those yards back. Layered clothes and body stiffness can also impact precision. So, don’t beat yourself up if your game isn’t at its peak during the fall season. Have realistic expectations, including the occasional higher score.
Vail Golf Courses
Wondering where to tee off? Explore these Vail golf courses:
Recognized by Golf Digest as a “Top 100 Resort Course,” Vail Golf Club’s 18-hole public course sits below towering mountain peaks, with holes that follow the rushing water of Gore Creek. The par-71 course features 6,766 yards from the black tees with a slope of 152 and a 77.6 rating. The pro shop is open daily with free parking at the Vail Golf and Nordic Clubhouse along Sunburst Drive in Vail. And don’t forget the Grill on the Gore Restaurant located in the clubhouse — featuring daily signature soup and chili to keep you nice and warm.
The Sonnenalp Club is a semi-private golf and fitness club featuring an 18-hole championship golf course for members and guests of the Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail. The beautifully appointed course runs 7,100 yards to 5,293 yards depending on your choice of four tee positions and offers unlimited play for members seven days a week.
At Red Sky Golf Course near Vail, you’ll find two par-72 courses, designed by Tom Fazio (7.116 yards with spectacularly colorful fall aspen groves) and Greg Norman (7.580 yards with sunflower meadows and sunsets high lighting Castle Peak), ranked in the “Top 20 Golf Courses” by Golf Digest. Although Red Sky is a membership club, members and guests can access each course and their respective clubhouses on alternate days.
Discover More Vail Adventures This Fall
Looking for more things to do this fall in Vail? Check out these resources: