Las Vegas isn’t quite a golfing hotbed, but a few of the nearly 50 courses in the world’s gaming capital make a day on the links another top-tier activity in the Vegas area. For those who already like to golf, the following four clubs rank high in both memorability and service.
Photo credit: Shadow Creek
Shadow Creek
Shadow Creek, designed by architect Tom Fazio, is one of the best courses stateside and knows it: getting a tee time can put you out $500. Unlike some of the other golfing destinations in Vegas, Shadow Creek goes for understated, natural beauty – an aesthetic that seems to work considering it counts George W. Bush and Justin Timberlake among its high-profile clientele. Dramatic landscapes and lush gardens characterize the picturesque course, sitting at the base of stunning mountains. More than 200 varieties of trees and numerous flowing streams sit on the grounds. The course, owned by MGM Resorts, is more bucket-list than anything, but worth the trip.
Location: 3 Shadow Creek Dr., North Las Vegas.
Photo credit: Cascata
Cascata
This Boulder City course is much flashier than its counterparts, bringing the high-glitz atmosphere one would expect of a Vegas golf club. The course features some of Nevada’s best sunsets, but even the clubhouse was built to impress with a river and waterfall running directly through it from the mountain. Due to the elevation and wind changes, this course is much more challenging than Shadow Creek. The isolated feel (fairways are invisible from each other) gives each grouping a feeling of being the only one that matters.
Location: 1 Cascata Dr., Boulder City.
Photo credit: SouthShore
SouthShore
SouthShore Golf Club is the first private Jack Nicklaus Signature course in Nevada. The course, which ranked no. 45 on Golfweek’s list of Best Residential Courses, is spread over 7,000 yards and forces carriers over canyons and water. Elevations on the course range from 1,410 to 1,750 feet thanks to the mountainous terrain, and five holes stretch along the peaceful shoreline of Lake Las Vegas. Despite these built-in challenges, there are as many as five tees per hole designed to accommodate a range of skill levels.
Location: 100 Strada Di Circolo, Henderson.
Photo credit: Bali Hai
Bali Hai
A game at Bali Hai will stretch on for hours and hours, but the amazing area will mean that is time well spent. The course capitalizes on its locale with palm trees, water features to cool the desert, and 100,000 tropical plants. This Indonesian-themed spot is located at the end of the strip, a much more city-oriented course than the others listed. (The Mandalay Bay Tower is used as a tee-shot aiming point.) Strip golf isn’t cheap and can run you $250 per round, but a variety of stay-and-play packages are available through the Bali Hai website.
Location: 5160 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas.
