
Short Course
The Club Cordillera

About this course
The Short Course at Club Cordillera in Edwards, Colorado, was designed by short game specialist Dave Pelz and opened in the early 2000s as part of the broader Cordillera resort and residential community in the Vail Valley. Pelz, known primarily for his instructional work and research on the short game rather than traditional course architecture, created this facility specifically to challenge and develop players' skills from 125 yards and in. The course sits at approximately 7,800 feet elevation in the Colorado Rockies, where the high altitude affects ball flight and distance calculations. The layout consists of par-3 holes ranging from short pitch shots to longer approach distances, designed to replicate the variety of short game situations players encounter during regulation rounds. The routing takes advantage of the natural mountain terrain and elevation changes characteristic of the Edwards area, incorporating slopes, contours, and green complexes that test different shot types and trajectories. The design philosophy emphasizes practice and skill development rather than traditional scoring, making it particularly useful for players looking to work on specific aspects of their short game in an on-course environment. Club Cordillera operates as a private club within the larger Cordillera development, which includes multiple golf courses and amenities spread across the valley. The Short Course serves as a supplementary facility for members and provides an alternative to full-length play while focusing on the scoring zone that Pelz's research has long emphasized as critical to lower scores.
Quick facts
- Location
- Edwards, CO, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1997
- Designer
- Dave Pelz
- Holes
- 9
- Par
- 27
- Length
- 592 yards
Getting there
The journey to The Club Cordillera begins at Eagle County Regional Airport, a mere fifteen minutes down the valley - one of the rare commercial gateways where private jets and commercial carriers share the same mountain runway. For those arriving by road from Denver International, the two-hour westward drive traces Interstate 70 as it climbs through the Front Range and into the heart of the Rockies, the landscape shifting from high plains to dramatic alpine terrain. The final ascent winds up Battle Mountain, leaving the Vail Valley floor behind, until the road delivers you to Cordillera's gated entrance - a secluded summit retreat perched at 8,200 feet, where the air is thin and the views sweep across endless ridgelines.

FAQ
Common questions about Short at The Club Cordillera
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Short was designed by Dave Pelz.
Short at The Club Cordillera is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Short is 27.
Short plays 592 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
Short is a 9-hole course.



