Where To Play Golf In Las Vegas

Sin City has upped the charm quotient considerably in the past few years, managing to retain its kitschy appeal as it develops more stylish, upmarket neighborhoods and hotels off the Strip. The traditional things, like the 24/7 casinos, celebrity-chef restaurants and top-notch golf courses, however, remain unchanged. Golfers have year-round access to a variety of award-winning courses and abundant sunshine. And while the summer months are definitely the hottest, they offer some of the best golf deals, sometimes as much as 50 to 70 percent lower than peak-season fees. And no matter what your taste is in golf courses – desert, links, mountain, parkland – there's a course for you.

164 yd par 3

Photo by Dick Durrance II

BALI HAI GOLF CLUB

With Bali Hai's prime location on The Strip, this fun layout offers amazing views, a friendly staff and a South Pacific island vibe. Always in top condition, the oasis-style course is flush with palm trees, lush plants, white sand, and plenty of water. On the par-3 16th, you'll hit into an island green. After your round, head to the clubhouse patio of Cili's restaurant to watch golfers test their luck on this hole.balihaigolfclub.com

BEAR'S BEST LAS VEGAS

Jack Nicklaus transported 18 of his favorite holes from courses west of the Mississippi and Mexico – from Castle Pines to PGA West Private to El Dorado – to create this gorgeous stage for golf just seven miles west of The Strip. Bunkers and boulders framing the fairways and greens provide great visuals and strategic shot-making. You're guaranteed top conditions and excellent service, beautiful views of Red Rock Canyon, and cool touches like the black sand bunkers inspired by Old Works Golf Club.bearsbestlasvegas.com

LAS VEGAS PAIUTE GOLF RESORT

Paiute is just 25 minutes north of downtown, but feels miles away. The three Pete Dye courses here – Snow Mountain, Sun Mountain and Wolf, all ranked in the top 6 in Nevada – play through the desert and mountains and provide Dye's signature touches. There's water to contend with as well, including Wolf's No. 15 island hole, which aficionados claim is one of the best holes in the Vegas area. Wolf is the toughest of the three and the longest in the state; for a gentler challenge, the Snow course is a good choice.lvpaiutegolf.com

ANGEL PARK

Golfboards and night golf are part of the fun at Angel Park, west of town in Summerlin, but the real draw are the two 18-hole championship courses designed by Arnold Palmer that offer a wallet-friendly option in the Las Vegas area. The Mountain course, with pretty views of the red rocks, is the better choice for longer hitters as it has some testy par 4s and 5s and difficult greens. If you want a fun break or are short on time, try Angel Park's Cloud 9, a 12-hole par-3 with an island green that is lighted at night. The friendly staff and lively patio scene make this muni a safe bet.angelpark.com

ROYAL LINKS GOLF CLUB

A round here can provide one of those Vegas experiences that transports you, at least temporarily, to another place. Plus it's a nice change-up from desert golf. At this links-style course, where fescue and pot bunkers are part of the mix, you'll find replicas of iconic holes from courses in the British Open rotation -- including the Road Hole at St. Andrews and the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon. Take a walk over Swilcan Bridge and learn a little Open history from the plaques sprinkled around the course. A castle-like clubhouse lends an authentic touch.royallinksgolfclub.com

TPC LAS VEGAS

This is the go-to spot if you want to play where the PGA Tour pros play and experience top service all around. The elegant course, nestled in the high-end Summerlin neighborhood, features a number of elevation changes, steep ravines, a lake and plenty of desert canyon along the way. The layout and length will give a serious golfer a real test with greens that are fast and true. (If you're playing from the back tees, be prepared to hit long drives over native areas.) The blended tee options for both men and women bring fewer forced carries into play, offering a fair test to the mid-handicap golfer.tpc.com/lasvegas

WYNN GOLF CLUB

Tom Fazio's lush golf course is built on the site of the old Desert Inn Golf Course but is nothing like the original it replaced. On the par-70 course, you'll be up against elevation changes, lots of trees and water on 11 of the 18 holes, including the splashy waterfall backdrop on the 18th. If you weren't just steps outside the Strip's Wynn Las Vegas hotel, you might think you were in Georgia or South Carolina. The green fee is hefty, but you'll receive the five-star treatment from the moment you arrive in the country-club style locker room. (Note: Hurry up and play as the course will be closing sometime this year.)wynnlasvegas.com

WOLF CREEK

If you love unique golf, the 90-minute drive from Las Vegas to Wolf Creek in Mesquite is well worth the time. Voted the #1 Fan Favorite course by Golf Digest readers thanks to its dramatic elevation drops, Wolf Creek offers red canyons that flank the bright green fairways and bright white bunkers as an amazing backdrop for both golf and photos. The course is always in tip-top shape, and the five sets of tees make for a really enjoyable outing for all levels. The excellent service and friendly atmosphere add to the experience.golfwolfcreek.com

SHADOW CREEK

Shadow Creek is a modern-day marvel—a track of flat desert land transformed into a lush, tree-lined oasis. The immaculate Tom Fazio course offers all the traditional challenges of a classic parkland course but with mountain vistas and extra thrills, including a top-notch short game practice area and a dramatic 17th hole. Here, golfers play from atop a ridge down to a green surrounded by rocks and water and a massive waterfall. Shadow Creek is not just about the golf, though; it's about the VIP experience, which, from the private limo and personal caddie, is just about as extravagant as the $500 green fee. You must stay at an MGM Resorts International property to play here.shadowcreek.comDESTINATION GUIDE: LAS VEGAS
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