Las Vegas

[fuzzyjr]

I will be in Vegas the 16th of August to the 21st any one know of any under $100.00 courses in the area??

[Roody]

I was going to create my own topic, but I guess I will piggyback on yours.

Anyways, I don't know of any courses less than $100 in Vegas, but someone told me that the price changes depending on whether or not you're from the state of Nevada or not (i.e. they ask you your zip code, and if it's from out of state, the price jumps). I don't know if there's any truth to that, just something I heard.

As far as my question, I'm heading down to Vegas in September and I'm planning on playing a round with a buddy of mine. At the moment we have a tee time scheduled for TPC Canyons. I may end up switching it to The Falls, which is at Lake Las Vegas Resort.

I was just wondering if anyone has played down there, and if they have any recommendations on places to play? I'm not worried about price, seeing as I may not get down there again for a long time. I don't mind spending the money to play a good course.

Thanks!

[trutrojan8]

Oh man.. what's it called.. they have so many golf courses: one with British Open inspired holes, but I forgot the name.

[Roody]

Oh man.. what's it called.. they have so many golf courses: one with British Open inspired holes, but I forgot the name.

Royal Links Golf Club?

http://www.vegas.com/golf/courseguide/royallinks.html If that's it, have you played it? And if so, how is it?

[Ben]

fuzzyjr and Roody

Very close at $125 + Caddy, Bear's Best!!! I HIGHLY recommend Bear's Best. fuzzyjr, just win some extra dough at the craps table! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!

Course info:

http://www.bearsbest.com/lv_holes.asp

Rate info:

http://www.bearsbest.com/vegas/lv_rates.asp

[Packerdave]

I would second the recommendation for Bear's Best. Although when I played 18 months ago, there was some distracting home construction going on and a few "under construction" area in between holes. Fantastic layout though.

[Roody]

Thanks guys, that course looks pretty sweet. I like the idea of a bunch of replica holes from other courses. It would definitely be different than any course I've played up here in NY.

[norcalgolf]

I like Bears Best for the most part. Each hole is pretty nice, but the course doesn't feel like 1 course, it really feels like 18 holes in many ways.

I loved TPC Canyons though. If I had to choose between the two, I would go with TPC Canyons, but they are both good plays.

[J.P.]

Guess I'm too late for Fuzzy, but Roody still needs help!

The top courses out here in Vegas are all rather high. My buddies came to town a couple years ago and played Bears Best for $225 with me paying $95. No question, Clark County Residents (las Vegas) get nice discounts but you must show your ID. Not so simple as memorizing a zip code from out here.

The top courses here are Shadow Creek - $500, may have to stay at a particular resort to play it. Next may be Reflection Bay, another Jack Nicklaus course at Lake Las Vegas that Natalie Gulbis plays out of. From there I would say Bears Best. Always perfect condition, wide grass filled fairways - not tight desert golf, firm, fast conditions and a caddy that helps a great deal since its your first time and they are expert at helping you read the putts. Need to tip him $30. Next is probably TPC Canyons (TPC Summerlin is Private) these two courses are hosts for the PGA tourney here in October every year. Both very nice, but Canyons not so wide open, and large houses border you all the way. Finally, Rio Secco, where Butch Harmon's golf school is based is a very nice track. Lots of elevation changes and nice condition. Also, each scorecard has Tiger Woods course record 62 printed across the bottom so you can follow hole by hole to see if you are on pace to beat him.

I am sorry I can't help you with the Falls, never played it, and I hear BAD things about the Royal Links course that trys to mimic Links golf here in the desert, though I have not played there either.

These are the top courses. There are other nice ones, but these are for that once in 5 years trip here. I don't think any of them are less than $150 for the out of State visitor. In fact, I think Reflection Bay may be $250+ and no discount for residents!

I practice at Bears Best as a rule and live very close. It is under construction as someone said, but it is wide open still, and nestled in the mountains to the West of the Strip - you will not be disapointed with the views and vistas, the course for sure and the BBQ at the turn!

Remember that all putts break towards the Stratosphere tower/strip area!

Have fun!

[Ben]

Guess I'm too late for Fuzzy, but Roody still needs help!

That Tiger part is cool!

Good advice on the other joints too. Thanks.

[Roody]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I appreciate it.

At the moment we're still cued up to play TPC Canyons. I was checking their website again the other day, and it looks like they did a re-vamp to it. They've got more pictures and fly-overs now, and I have to say the course looks great. I'm pretty excited to go play it next month.

I've still got a couple of weeks until I can book The Falls if I change my mind, but I think Canyons is making a solid case.

And as far as price goes, they told me Canyons is going to be $225, while Falls is $275. I guess they really bend the out-of-state people over for greens fees, but oh well. You only live once I always say!

[Ben]

Guess I'm too late for Fuzzy, but Roody still needs help!

Hey J.P.

What's your take on Paiute? I've got a tournament there in October.

[J.P.]

Well Ben, let me tell you.

Paiute Golf Club is a wonderful setting located on the Paiute Tribe reservation well north of the Las Vegas Strip area out highway 95 about a 1/2 hour from downtown. It features three Pete Dye creations; Sun, Snow, and Wolf. These courses are among the finest conditioned in Vegas and are challenging tracks.

They are on the flatter side for courses out here because the location sits at the bottom of a geological saucer, a flat area if you would, surrounded by NOTHING! No houses, no hotels, no nothing! Yucca's, Joshua trees, roadrunners, and a smoke shop on your way in to the nice club house where you can grab a few cigars for the day are about it! The stark contrast of the giant mountain views surrounding the flat valley is astounding on a clear day. (see the web site below)

The courses are also not a typical "desert golf" style. Most of the holes have wide, plush, grass fairways generally with grass all the way through the green. There are forced carries off the tees, and the Dye signature railroad tie bunkers, but nothing most golfers can't handle if they are playing the correct tees.

The Wolf course is the feature course, it is very long from the tips at 7604 and 149 rating, and has perhaps Dye's most difficult island green. It is 182 from the tips on hole 15. It is not as pretty as the 17th at Sawgrass, but perhaps more frightening cause you probably have a bit more than a wedge or 9 iron in your hands here. The other two courses, Sun Mountain and Snow Mountain, both finish with tough par fours bending around lakes on their left. Nice use of water on these courses in the middle of the desert.

Greens are usually pristine there. Check when they are overseeding and punching greens. That has started now for most courses here. I think you are coming at the perfect time of year climate wise. Probably be in the mid eighties in October.

Final take home point about Paiute. . . WIND - LOTS OF WIND. Being flat and exposed, the wind can be brutal out there. Mostly so in the Spring, but beware! If you happen to catch Paiute on a windless day - man, you will have a great time!!!

Check out the resort at lvpaiutegolf.com

Did I mention there could be some WIND OUT THERE???!!!

Have fun!!

Jp