Winter is almost here, and it’s a sad time for golfers – especially in places like Minnesota and Colorado, where the courses are closing up shop and the snow is on its way. It’s a long time until next spring, so you may be thinking about jumping on a plane and heading off somewhere warm to feed your addiction. If you are, then you really should consider taking a trip to Las Vegas – it’s arguably the golfing capital of the United States. According to Golf Digest, there are no less than 52 golf courses in Sin City, and many of them are utterly spectacular.
If you want to head off to the golf course as soon as you get off the plane in Vegas, then check out the Bali Hai Club, located right on the Strip close to the Mandalay Bay Resort. This is the only championship course on the Strip, and has won many awards for its design, including being named one of “America’s Top 40 Resort Courses” by Golf Week. The course, which plays to 7002 yards, has a tropical motif, including 25,000 palm trees, 100,000 tropical flowers and plants, and a spectacular island green – part of no less than 7 acres of water features on the course. However, be warned – the course has lots of shining white sand that is gorgeous to look at, but murder if your ball lands in it.
For perhaps the most distinctive golf experience in Vegas, take a trip to the Royal Links Golf Club, located about 9 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. This meticulously groomed course let you play in the British Open without ever journeying to the UK. Each of the 18 holes is a replica of one of the best holes on 11 different British Open courses – including one of St. Andrews most famous features, the Hell Bunker. If you want a challenge and bragging rights, see if you can beat the course record – this is 67, and was set by Tiger Woods back in 2001.
One of the must-play courses in Las Vegas is Shadow Creek, located about 15 minutes north of the strip. This course is legendary, and when it opened it was almost impossible to get a tee time. The course is one of the best in America – in fact, Golf Magazine ranked it No. 17 on its list of the “Top 100 Courses You Can Play.” The course, designed by architect Tom Fazio, features bentgrass greens and stunning vistas, including plummeting waterfalls, dancing creeks, and manicured fairways set against mountain backdrops. However, don’t let the beauty fool you – this is a monster of a course.
Finally, if you want a little bit of seclusion, head up to Coyote Springs, situated in the desert about one hour north of Las Vegas up US 93. The course, which opened in 2008, was designed by Jack Nicklaus, and features a subtle design with fast, rolling greens and strategically placed bunkers that make it a true challenge. Just make sure that you turn off to the right when you get to Route 168 – otherwise you’re going to end up at Area 51.
