Downtown Doings –
Affordable Golf Options in Las Vegas by M. James Ward
Las Vegas. Just the utterance of those two words sends a clear and unmistakable imagery. Appropriately known as “Sin City” the gambling mecca has clearly developed an aura that involves a range of activities with golf being one of the many offerings available.
Options abound in Las Vegas, but the cost to play the very elite golf offerings provides a paralysing sticker shock for many. Greens fees for the upper echelon of courses means several hundred dollars coming out of one’s pocket. Facilities such as Shadow Creek, Cascata, Wynn and Rio Seco are just a few of the golf options that require a hefty contribution to sample what they provide. The same holds true for people interested in staying at one of the renowned lodging locations on the famed Las Vegas Strip with its range of ultra-pampering and myriad of offerings.
If you are adamant in playing any of the aforementioned courses – or the ultra top tier lodging locations – then be prepared for the hefty hit on your pocket book. The golf at the big ticket courses is exceptional in many ways, with Shadow Creek being one of the most compelling courses ever created by man. The Tom Fazio design was created in concert with its then owner and casino-magnate Steve Wynn – truly an incredible feat in creating a golf course that flies in the face of its desert locale. Should you decide that you “must” play it be prepared to pay over $500 for the opportunity. The range balls are included.
However, for those wishing to get quality golf and related lodging, food and drink elements without spending a king’s fortune, this article is for you.
The original core downtown area of Las Vegas has resurrected itself very nicely over the last few years with stellar gastronomy and night life opportunities. Unfortunately, the fanfare paid to The Strip can be hard to ignore and anyone making a visit should indeed sample what is provided. Just be sure to keep your pocketbook close to the vest.
On the golf side one can take advantage of a range of different courses, close enough to Vegas and not requiring a hefty premium to tee it up. The key in arranging golf in the greater Las Vegas area is flexibility. Nearly all the courses offer dynamic pricing, meaning you get different greens fees amounts, both in terms of time of day and season of the year. Checking ahead can be a huge advantage in getting the most out of your visit. Bear in mind, however, Vegas can be extremely hot during the summer months, and in the winter months it is not an automatic for the weather to be balmy. Golf in Las Vegas has evolved nicely over the years and the consumer clearly has the opportunity to mix and match various courses to both their wallet and skill level.
COURSES IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE …
COYOTE SPRINGS
18-holes / Design by Jack Nicklaus
7,471 Yds, Par-72 / 75.8 CR, 141 SL
coyotesprings.com
When Coyote Springs came into existence in 2008 there were mega plans with several other courses being contemplated along with a master plan for a major community development. The Great Recession that commenced in late ‘07 scuttled those plans as no house has been built as of yet. Nonetheless, the design by Jack Nicklaus is operating and, although the facility is roughly 50 miles from The Strip, it is well worth heading out to play. Coyote Springs starts very gently, but be forewarned – the demands increase significantly as the round progresses. The two par-3’s on the outward side – holes #4 and #8 – can easily put a major hurting on one’s scorecard.
Nicklaus provides plenty of width on many of the holes, but there are always preferred spots pending on where the pin is located on the putting surfaces. The course is also impacted by shifting winds, which can range in velocity at any time. When standing on the par-4 9th and 18th tees, you get a glorious view of the desert and end each side in grand fashion. Coyote Springs, like other courses in the area, offers tiered pricing for time of day tee preferences and the rates also vary for time of year when playing. A quality Nicklaus layout that rewards only the finest of golf shots time after time.
BOULDER CREEK
27-holes / Design by Mark Rathert
Desert Hawk – 3,843 Yds, Par-36
Coyote Run – 3,785 Yds, Par-36
El Dorado – 3,739 Yds, Par-36
golfbouldercity.com
Courses near to the core area of Las Vegas routinely charge a hefty fee to play. One of the best options that is roughly 30 minutes away is Boulder Creek Golf Course — located in Boulder City. One of the best reasons to play the course is that it is located on the way to the famed Hoover Dam, which is just minutes from the facility. Boulder Creek is owned and operated by the community and provides 27-holes of testing golf. There are few trees on the property and the wind can whip through the property at just about anytime. The sad issue for Boulder Creek is that people who have deep pockets make the visit to nearby Cascata, which is just minutes away. Cascata is located on an extremely hilly site and simply does not have the range of holes you will find at Boulder Creek. The three nines here are quite equal to one another – I favour Desert Hawk and Coyote Run – which play just over 7,600 yards, and there is an assortment of dangers that need to be considered before you pull the trigger on just about any shot. The best thing about Boulder Creek is that it provides the main item of interest – the golf course. There are more than few other Vegas courses that believe golfers want other elements at the expense of the golf. Boulder Creek understands the central point of your visit.
REFLECTION BAY GC / LAKE LAS VEGAS
18-holes / Design by Jack Nicklaus
7,261 Yds, Par-72 / 75.6 CR / 150 SL
reflectionbaygolf.com
The original plans for Lake Las Vegas were for a mega development encompassing hundreds and hundreds of acres of land, much of it fronting Lake Las Vegas. Located just 30 minutes from The Strip, the Nicklaus design served as the centrepiece and hosted a few professional events which garnered television exposure. The golf side included another public 18-hole layout designed by Tom Weiskopf, called Reflection Falls, as well as an adjoining private layout called SouthShore. There were clear indicators that additional golf would be added by architect Tom Fazio with an 18-hole layout called Rainbow Canyon. All the grandiose plans landed with a loud thud with the start of The Great Recession in late ‘07. The once great plans became nothing more than fanciful dreams. The Weiskopf course, which was quite good, shuddered for keeps. Even the Nicklaus design went into moth balls for a period of time. Things began to change in late ‘14 when Reflection Bay once again opened.
The Nicklaus design is a very demanding layout. Although the course concludes each side immediately next to Lake Las Vegas, you actually play away from it for the bulk of each side. There is adjoining housing at times but it is set far enough back in most cases to avoid any unwanted intrusion. The concluding holes on each side are riveting – escalating the thrills for successful shots – dooming others not as well executed. The facility does have tiered pricing options, so for those conscious in what is spent try the afternoon time slots. There is an adjoining Westin for those wishing to stay on property. Reflection Bay is a testament in resurrecting a quality golf layout and one of the real gems to play when in Vegas. Be ready to play because you will be tested to the max.
LAS VEGAS PAIUTE GOLF RESORT
54-Holes / All designed by Pete Dye
Snow Mountain – 7,146 Yds, Par-72 / 73.0 CR, 126 SL
Sun Mountain – 7,112 Yds, Par-72 / 73.4 CR, 140 SL
Wolf – 7,604 Yds, Par-72 / 75.5 CR, 145 SL
Each course is 76+ CR, 142+ SL
lvpaiutegolf.com
Getting away from the incessant pulse of The Strip can be a real priority given the 24/7 energy that resonates in the immediate Vegas area. Head northwest of town just over 20 miles via highway 95 and sample the 54-holes presented at Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort. The facility gives you a great appreciation of the scale of the land and the way the colours change throughout the day. Pete Dye, the man responsible for TPC Sawgrass, Harbour Town, Casa de Campo’s Teeth of the Dog, designed all three courses here. Sun and Snow Mountain provide quality offerings and are meant for the golfer that wishes to enjoy the day without being overwhelmed. For those who want to see if they have game, try the Wolf Course. Wolf is simply unrelenting, especially when afternoon winds start whipping – which is nearly a daily certainty. Wolf requires a solid tee game and a deft touch around the greens. The key element to remember when playing Wolf is understand one’s limitations – failure to realise that can result in a crushed ego – especially as the round concludes with one demanding hole after another. Pete’s even included an island par-3 hole at the 15th, which can be daunting in any heavy wind. Rates are slightly higher than the others mentioned here but there is tiered pricing so going at the time that fits your budget can work rather well here.
THE ARROYO GOLF CLUB
18-holes / Design by Arnold Palmer
6,883 Yds, Par-72 / 73.0 CR / 148 SL
thearroyogolfclub.com
Located on the far western side of Las Vegas and adjacent to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, The Arroyo GC is just 15 miles from The Strip. Provides a clear nearby getaway with all the amenities golfers seek. Straight driving is a big time asset as many of the fairways have plenty of native areas that can be a chore to escape from should your ball comes to rest there. Be sure to be sufficiently warmed-up as the first six holes provide a heavy duty challenge. Palmer designs can often be fairly rudimentary and predictable – The Arroyo provides a good mixture of holes types.
ALIANTE GOLF CLUB
18-holes / Design by Gary Panks
7,022 Yds, Par-72 / 73.2 CR / 139 SL
aliantegolf.com
Aliante is not on minds of many people who come to Vegas with golf high on the agenda. But, make no mistake about it, the layout by Gary Panks is sufficiently challenging without being overly so. Managed by Troon Golf, the course is generally in very good conditioning and the pace of play is among the best in the immediate area. Like other Vegas courses there is a range of dynamic price options and, best of all, the location provides easy access to and from The Strip.
OVERALL GOLF ASSESSMENT … Exceptional
The greater Vegas golf scene is filled with many choices and being aware of how to maximise your golf dollars is central to the time spent there. No question there are a few really high end golf courses – Shadow Creek, Cascata, Wynn, Rio Secco, etc, etc. Unfortunately, these specific courses require a stay at their affiliated properties and the accompanying green fee will require plunking down several hundred dollars plus other related costs.
The issue for many is finding a quality alternative that can provide a lasting memory and not cause a major drain on your budget. The respective facilities detailed above are quite good in this regard. The architecture is generally well thought out linking the native areas in a range of strategic holes and getting away from the immediate Vegas area provides a clear appreciation of what a desert connection is when playing.
The greater Vegas area provides a slew of different activities and the golf side is one of the best in the USA for sheer diversity. So long as you shop smartly, your golf budget will be one sure bet – one of the few things you can count on when coming to this gambling mecca.
WHAT TO DO – WHERE TO STAY?
The general tendency for many people when coming to Vegas is securing a lodging location on the world renowned “Vegas Strip.” The area is rightly celebrated as the range of hotels and casinos is truly something to experience. Near to The Strip is the core area that got things started.
Fremont Street was established in 1905 and celebrated its centennial anniversary just a few years ago. In 1995, Fremont Street underwent its transformation to the present-day Fremont Street Experience – vegasexperience.com – an open-air promenade of world-class gaming, dining, entertainment and shopping stretching five blocks beneath a 90-foot high canopy of dazzling light and sound shows featured nightly. A true destination within a destination, the Fremont Street Experience offers an authentic Vegas experience to visitors hoping to rediscover a time of legendary tradition while enjoying all the modern amenities of the world’s most fabulous city.
The Viva Vision Canopy provides an amazing array of color and sensations. If you are game, try the SlotZilla Zipline as you get a “bird’s eye” view of the area.
One of the best aspects in being located near Fremont Street is that everything of note is accessible by foot as the area takes in five city blocks, between Main and Fourth Streets. Parking is available in one of the garages and you can easily sample all the many offerings.
For lodging one of the most convenient and recently upgraded is The Downtown Grand Hotel: downtowngrandhotel.com/LasVegas. The rooms are good, but keep in mind it pays to ask for a higher floor as the music from the Fremont Street area can linger on during evening time frames. The Downtown Grand is functional for what it provides and allows you to keep extra dollars in one’s pocket. The Fremont Street Experience is much more informal and provides a healthy array of various options for food, drink and overall indulgence.