Golfing in Las Vegas
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Courses listed on this page:
Listed Alphabetically by city
35. Death Valley - Furnace Creek Golf Course-
1 Furnace Creek Blvd., Death Valley, Ca. 92328 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Located about 2 1/2 hours from the strip.
Opened in 1965, designed by William Bell
| TEES | YARDAGE | RATING | SLOPE | PAR |
| Back | 6200 | 67.7 | 103 | 72 |
| Front | 5900 | 66.5 | 101 | 72 |
| Ladies | 5300 | 69.4 | 111 | 72 |
Tee time reservation: up to 120 days in advance.
About 2 1/2 hours ( 135 miles ) from Las Vegas is Death Valley, California. You've heard of that place - the home of Borax cleaner - The 20 mule team home. Well, there is a golf course there. Started in 1925 with 3 holes, expanded in the 1950's to nine holes, and 18 in 1965. Just for the fun of it, you should try this flat course at 214 ft BELOW sea level. It is a nice course, but not so much in the summer - it is real hot. It is so hot (125+ days) that they used to close everything down in May & not open again until November, however with the new renovations, they are now open all year around (a $1.3 million renovation project was completed in 1999 and included totally redesigning 5 holes). True, this don't exactly fit the courses of Las Vegas, but if you get this close to it, you should play just for the experience - and to say you played at the lowest course in the world! It offers some super views of Death Valley in addition to being a challenge. There is lots of water to contend with - yes, water in Death Valley - on 10 of the 18 holes. So, you know that means bring some extra balls. Besides, you might even have a coyote run out and grab your ball - it happens. I think you will enjoy it, at least for the bragging rights back at your home club. The sprinkler heads are marked, but remember - you are playing 214 ft below sea level - the lowest elevation for a golf course in the world. For me, the ball flight didn't seem to be the same, so added an extra club length to the distance and was fine ( probably all-in-my-mind ). There is a resort hotel available, so you can play golf, spend the night, and tour Death Valley and the Borax mines.
P.S. - Take your camera.
36. Laughlin - Emerald River -
1155 W. Casino Dr., Laughlin, NV 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Located about 1:30 hours from the strip.
Opened in 1989, Designed by Tom Clark
| TEES | YARDAGE | RATING | SLOPE | PAR |
| Back | 6809 | 73.6 | 144 | 72 |
| Middle | 6296 | 70.7 | 136 | 72 |
| Forward | 5918 | 69.1 | 131 | 72 |
| Ladies | 5205 | 71.3 | 129 | 72 |
Tee time reservation: up to 30 days in advance.
This course is tough, as you can tell by the ratings. It was rated by the USGA as the most difficult course in Nevada until Wolf Creek came along. It is a desert style course, running alongside the Colorado River. Not really a forgiving course, so bring extra balls, and if the wind is up - your score will be too! It is a nice course with good but narrow fairways and greens that will make you think twice ( no- they break the other way). It can also be very - very hot in the summer time to play this course. Discounts on the rates can be obtained through the casinos. While your down there, check out the other courses right across the river at Lake Havasu, Arizona. See the famous London Bridge and play golf.
48. Laughlin - Mojave Resort Golf CLub -
9905 Aha Macav Parkway, Laughlin, NV 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Located about 1:30 hours from the strip.
Opened October 1997, Designed by Landmark Golf Co.
| TEES | YARDAGE | RATING | SLOPE | PAR |
| Back | 6939 | 73.2 | 126 | 72 |
| Middle | 6435 | 70.9 | 122 | 72 |
| Forward | 5959 | 68.5 | 115 | 72 |
| Ladies | 5520 | 72.3 | 124 | 72 |
Tee time reservations: up to 30 days in advance.
A desert type layout that has wide, friendly fairways with four sets of tees to choose your own challenge. The layout has some strategically placed bunkers (that means your ball will land in them - no matter what tees you choose ). The greens are undulating and very tricky. This is still a newish course so the greens have not fully had time to soften up and hold yet. It is still a good course to play and you will enjoy it not matter what tees you do use. It is somewhat forgiving. It can also be very - very hot in the summer time to play this course. Discounts on the rates are available if you are a guest at the AVI Hotel & Casino.
40. Mesquite - Casa Blanca -
930 W. Mesquite Blvd., Mesquite, NV 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Located about 1:15 hours from the strip.
Opened in 1996, Designed by Cal Olsen.
| TEES | YARDAGE | RATING | SLOPE | PAR |
| Championship | 7011 | 72.5 | 130 | 72 |
| Back | 6600 | 70.7 | 126 | 72 |
| Middle | 6106 | 68.8 | 119 | 72 |
| Forward | 5665 | 66.7 | 116 | 72 |
| Ladies | 5161 | 68.9 | 115 | 72 |
Tee time reservations: up to 60 days in advance.
Opened originally as The Players Island, it is now called the Casa Blanca. It was the site of the 1997 Nevada Open. The course has a soft spikes only rule, and the pro shop personnel are happy to change your shoes over for a real modest price (actually at less than you can buy a set of soft spikes for). This could be part of the reason that the greens are in great shape. It is player friendly, but the back tees can give you a challenge. The course is laid out through the desert and the wetlands ( 8 holes have water to consider ) area of Mesquite, and is fairly flat in the layout. CAUTION: the wetlands is also "environmentally sensitive" and the restriction is strictly enforced. If they find you out there, they will ask you to leave the course.
37. Mesquite - The Oasis -
851 Oasis Blvd, Mesquite, NV 89024 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Located about 1:15 hours from the strip.
Opened in 1995, designed by Arnold Palmer.
| TEES | YARDAGE | RATING | SLOPE | PAR |
| Championship | 6982 | 73.2 | 141 | 72 |
| Blue | 6452 | 70.2 | 130 | 72 |
| White | 5804 | 67.9 | 119 | 72 |
| Gold - Men | 5316 | 65.9 | 109 | 72 |
| Gold - Ladies | 5316 | 69.7 | 122 | 72 |
| Ladies | 4762 | 65.7 | 110 | 72 |
Tee times: up to 7 days in advance.
This one is worth the trip! What a beautiful course. The fairways are fantastic and the greens are impeccable. Tops in a golf course - Mr. Palmer sure did a great job in designing this course and the greens keeper lives up to the design. It is played over, through, at the bottom of and sometimes you feel like under - the desert canyons. It is not an easy course, but it is a great one for the challenge. There are severe elevation changes on some holes, but with that comes some beautiful views of the surrounding area. There is a lot of water and some blind tee shots, so don't automatically pull out the driver off the tee. You might also bring a dozen or so extra balls, not only because of the water, but you can not go into the desert area to retrieve an OB shot. The surrounding area is "environmentally sensitive" and is restricted. It is a soft spike only course. The super friendly staff adds to your playing enjoyment (say Hi to Kim for me when you play there). Golf Magazine rated it as one of the top ten to play, while Golf Digest said one of the top five best new Resort courses, and #6 in the top 10 of Nevada. OB Sports is now manager of the course. Also see the sister course "The Palms"
39. Mesquite - The Palms -
1137 Mesquite Blvd., Mesquite, NV; 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Located about 1:15 hours from the strip.
Opened in 1989.
| TEES | YARDAGE | RATING | SLOPE | PAR |
| Back | 7008 | 74.9 | 137 | 72 |
| Front | 6284 | 71.7 | 130 | 72 |
| Ladies | 5016 | 70.4 | 122 | 72 |
Tee times: up to 60 days in advance.
Was originally opened as the Peppermill. It is just about two different courses in one, as their brochure calls it "Nine holes of beauty followed by nine holes of sheer terror". The front nine is flat, has several water hazards and will lull you into thinking "this is fun and easy to score". Then comes a reality check - the back nine - uphill and down hill, strong elevation changes - it's payback time. For example, the Par 5 - 15th is a beautiful hole that is played off a tee on the top of a cliff to a fairway that is several hundred feet below the tee box. Water comes into play on 10 holes. The greens are sloped and very fast. You sure want to bring some extra balls for this course. OB Sports also manages this course. Also see the sister course "The Oasis"
38. Mesquite - Vistas @ Oasis -
851 Oasis Blvd, Mesquite, NV 89024 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Located about 1:15 hours from the strip.
Opened in 1995, designed by Arnold Palmer.
Par 37; Back tees: 3549 yds; Middle tees: 3273 yds; Ladies tees: 2653 yds, not rated.
Tee times: up to 7 days in advance.
This is a full blown 9 holer, not a par 3 course, as you can tell by the par 37. It is a super 9 holes, a lot of fun with some very challenging holes. Located across the street from the Oasis, it would be a nice addition to play after the Oasis to make a 27 hole day. OB Sports is manager of the course.
60. Mesquite - Wolf Creek -
401 Paradise Parkway, Mesquite, NV 89024 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Located about 1:15 hours from the strip.
Opened in October, 2000, designed by Dennis and Jon Rider.
| TEES | YARDAGE | RATING | SLOPE | PAR | Recommended for |
| Challenger | 7,018 | 75.4 | 154 | 72 | Tour - 2 Hcp |
| Chanpions | 6,370 | 70.9 | 138 | 72 | 3 - 6 Hcp |
| Masters | 5,780 | 68.2 | 134 | 72 | 7 - 14 Hcp |
| Signature | 5,211 | 65.7 | 125 | 72 | 15 - 20 Hcp |
| Classics | 4,169 | N/R | N/R | 72 | 21 Plus Hcp |
Tee times: up to 60 days in advance.
Dennis Rider, who worked on the Oasis with Arnold Palmer, has developed this course to be a challenge for all levels of play. It is designed within the canyons of the desert area in Mesquite. The course winds up and down these canyons for some breath taking views of the desert area, so bring your camera. Wolf Creek is a course with plenty of "bite", such as a tee box 11 stories high above the green and a hellish uphill par 3. The bubbling Wolf Creek winds through the canyons for 6 holes and is just waiting to grab an errant shot, and if the creek don't get you, watch out for the lakes. It is a cart path only course that places great emphasis on being environmentally sensitive - so don't go into the desert area, or you can be asked to leave. A free drop at point of entry into this area with NO penalty - in a way that's great for us slicers & you hookers. They even have a 15' ball retriever attached to each cart so you don't go into the desert area. The carts are equipped with a GPS system showing a detailed layout of each hole, including distance to the green, hazards and hole placement. Plus you can order something from the snack bar and pick it up on the turn. And while the course is still new, they allow a "lift, clean and place" through the green.
Offering 5 sets of tees, lush fairways, carpet smooth emerald greens, bleached white sands, and spectacular views all combine to make Wolf Creek as much a treat to the senses as a challenge to your game. Did I say challenge? The course has just completed its rate inspection and has received a rather dubious honor - that of being rated as the third-toughest course in the country from its back tees by the U. S. G. A. From its Challenger tees, which measure 7,018 yards, the course was given a rating of 75.4 and a slope of 154! ( The maximum allowable slope under USGA guidelines is 155 ). For example, For example, the 16th tee - from the tips - has a 305 yard carry, and it was not even included in the assessment. ( You know we'll all play from the tips - right? )
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- Note on Course Rates -
The rates posted within these pages are as accurate possible and current when I contact the individual courses. I check with each course about 6 times a year to keep as current as possible. However, they can change without notice and just because the rates are posted on this web site, does not mean that is the rate they must allow you to play at. Please check with the course that you are interested in playing to get the latest rates for the time of year you will be playing.
I have summarized the courses by rates on the
Rate Summary Page. This page will seasonally change and maintain a list of the courses by lowest to highest rates.
Send E-Mail to:
dkorbis@yahoo.com