Back From Vegas

Finally got back in town today from Vegas. The trip was an absolute blast. The work I had to do went incredibly well, and the town wasn't too crowded. I simply couldn't have asked for better weather during the week: mid to high sixties with crystal clear skies the whole time. Now onto the most important part the golf.

Sunday I played at TPC at The Canyons . I woke up that morning and wasn't feeling at my best due to an extended stay at a poker table the previous night. I figured I'd better go ahead and head to the course a little early to warm up and get rid of my headache/hangover. The clubhouse and staff was all I could have asked for, they satisfied my every need without any problem at all. The practice facilities were impeccably maintaned. I was planning on walking the course, but deicded against it at the last minute. The starter politley asked if my friend and I would mind playing with another two-some, and we happily obliged. I was pretty impressed by the course, it was a very plesant mix of distances and difficulties, although the lack of water really kept it from being a great risk/reward (but in vegas, I can't really complain). My favorite holes were the fourth which is a reachable par-5 and the par-4 seventeenth. The highlight of my round was on the 5th, a 375 yard par 4 which I came up fifteen yards short of driving. I played pretty well especially given how badly I felt. I shot an up and down 76, it should have been better had I not made a mistake with my club choice on the par-3 seventh. I have a hard time believing that they actually host a PGA tour event here, the fairways and greens are wide, and while the yardage of 7063 looks difficult on paper, the course plays much shorter since many holes are downhill. It's not too surprising that John Daly holds the course record of 62.

Sunday night I decided to rest rather than repeat my earlier mistakes at the casinos. Monday I woke up bright and early and headed to The Falls at Lake Las Vegas . This is a Tom Weiskopf design, and I am a huge fan of his courses. Amenities here were incredible, my cart came stocked with a yardage book, towels, and water. The course was a real contrast, the front nine was flat and very similar to TPC Canyons. It covered lots of desert wash and crossed dry arroyos. However, the back nine was absolutley breathtaking. The elevated tees, drop offs, and scenery were simply amazing and words can do little justice to describe them. My favorite hole was the par-4 12th, which provided a perfect view of the strip. This is a great driving course, especially with the elevated tees, the ball just seems to sail forever. The course was pretty easy, played at 7200 yards, but with the drastic elevation changes, it plays much closer to 6900 or so. I played really well this day, one of my better rounds, shot a three over 75 with only four bogies.

All in all, this was a fantastic trip, I didn't realize how many great courses there are in Vegas, many with reasonably priced greens fees of $60-$100. I'm definately going to have to make this a yearly trip, the weather was perfect and the golf was incredible.

It's good to be back, and I'm also very happy to see all the activity on the board while I was gone, it was great to see three pages of posts to read yesterday when I got in. Welcome to all the new members and its good to hear all the great convesations.

funny thing is, that while talking about $60-$100 courses you describe two, that charge $220-$240 in the season
I agree with you on TPC - one of the best I ever played. Did the starter warned you about ALL putts breaking towards the "Stratosphere" casino? It was the freakiest thing I ever saw... Of course there is a reason for it - TPC is actually on a side of the mountian, where the Stratosphere's tower is right in the bottom of the valley.

I agree, I kind of went for broke on this trip, but I've been working hard, so figured I deserved a treat

. Next time I'd love to play Rhodes Ranch and Red Rock just to name a few.

Yeah, it's not too apparent, and when I first heard it I didn't believe it at all, but it is quite odd to see on the course. Since the course is

relatively flat it's hard to believe that it's built on a mountain.

I guess you mean

http://www.arroyogolfclubatredrock.com? The link you listed is an South Dakota course (WAY too cheap for LV ). I played both (actually my buddy works the proshop at Rhodes). Arroyo is nicer layout, both are very decent value and both highly recommended. If you want to spend big bucks though there are few other places... Shadow Creek (have to stay @ MGM to get on) for $500 (includes limo and caddy) - I've been told it's "THE SH&*T !". I think it's rediculous, but if you have the money - go for it! The other one is the Reflection Bay ($270) in Henderson, known from the three-tour challange. Some of the best views I've ever experienced on a golf course.

You're excactly right, I put the wrong hyperlink in there.

Vegas must have more great super expensive courses than any other place in the world. I was really debating about whether or not to go to reflection bay, I watched Wendy's 3 tour challenge and was very impressed. Now it's at the top of my list for next year, thanks for the advice!

... and I thought Scottsdale was amazing at $250 a person! Man.. those $5 rounds are starting to go to my head apparently.