30. Shadow Creek -
5400 Losee Rd, North Las Vegas, Nv 89031, 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Located about 25 minutes from the strip
Opened in 1990, Designed by Tom Fazio.
Public Play Allowed - Special Conditions Apply
TEES YARDAGE RATING SLOPE PAR Back 7239 N/R N/R 72 Regular 6701 N/R N/R 72
Reservations up to 60 days in advance.
This ultra-exclusive course is reserved only for the elite of the elite, and high roller guests of the Mirage or Golden Nugget. Owned by Mirage Resorts owner Steve Wynn, Shadow Creek is considered as the holy grail for golfers. Annually recognized as one of the best courses in the U.S., Golf Digest has rated it as the 15th best course in the US and the best in Nevada, and Golf Magazine rated it as the 8th. GolfWeb.com has it rated as the #17 top 100 in the US to play, and #29 in the top 100 of the world. The service and treatment you receive from the staff reflect this specialness quite well. Originally, you can only play the course by special invitation or arrangements. But that changed and it is now open to LIMITED play. However, that does include a suite for the night at the Mirage Hotel, and transportation by limo to/from the course. ( Aha - that changes things, don't it? ). Depending on your status as a gamer, the rates can be lower. Now don't everyone rush at once. However, I did hear that they are booking 7-10 tee times a day now - even at that rate!
The course is designed so that you won't even see the outside world or the desert when you are there. An abundance of flowers, thousands of fully mature, full grown trees were flown in for the course, along with the sod. They did not just plant grass and let it grow, but flew in the sod for the fairways as well as the greens. It plays easy when you stay out of trouble - but then what course don't. However, if you hit a bad shot the goes wild, there is enough water and sand to make getting it up and down a real challenge. Some of the fairways have a definite slope to them, so a good shot with sideways spin can roll right down a hill into water. The greens are fast (10 on the stemp), and a bad putt can leave a tough one coming back. The condition of the course is always impeccable with the special treatment that the course maintenance people give it. You can feel lost within the course and probably not see another golfer the whole time, as you can not even tee off if you see another golfer on the green ahead. Each twosome is assigned a caddie who know the course like the back of his hand from tee to green. Steve has also imported special wildlife like Australian Wallabis, quail, pheasants and exotic birds to inhance the course. You will be treated like royalty and have a fantastic golfing experience!
Special Note: Things have changed at Shadow Creek! With Steve Wynn selling his hotel chains to the MGM Corp., the Shadow Creek Golf Course went with it. To relieve every ones minds about what they were going to do with the course, it is going to remain a very exclusive course. Now that changes every thing don't it? I'm sure your going to see me out there often now! :-) It still has big limitations: Only available Mon-Thru for guests of the MGM, Mirage, Bellagio, Treasure Island, Golden Nugget, New-York New-York or Primm Valley.
26. South Shore @ Lake Las Vegas -
29 Grand Mediterra, Henderson, Nv 89104
Located about 40 minutes from the strip.
Opened in 1996, designed by Jack Nicklaus
Par 71, 6925 yds
A beautiful course, televised nationally as the site of the 1996 Wendy's 3 Tour Challenge, and again for the 1997 tournament. Jack Nicklaus &Tiger Woods share the course record of 65. There are 5 separate tee boxes on most holes, with forced carries over canyons and water. It is located almost at the edge of Lake Mead, and yet has its own separate lake. It was ranked 6th in the 1997 Private Golf Courses ratings by Golf Digest, and #3 of the top ten in the state, and Golf Magazine rated it as 33rd of the top 100 in the USA. A total of four courses are planned for this location. The greens are always in great shape, like a plush carpet and fantastic to putt on.
55. Southern Highlands Golf Club -
One Robert Trent Jones Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89141 - 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Located about 15 minutes from the strip.
Opened Februrary 2000, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Jr.,.
TEES YARDAGE RATING SLOPE PAR Black 7240 N/R N/R 72 Blue 6835 N/R N/R 72 White 6405 N/R N/R 72 Green 5915 N/R N/R 72 Ladies Red 5430 N/R N/R 72
An exclusive private course limited to 360 members to ensure each member receives the finest personalized service possible. It is located in southwest Las Vegas, near I-15 and Lake Mead Drive, within the same general area that the Anthem, Revere, &Rio Seeco courses are located. Started construction in January 1999, opened in Februrary 2000.
The golf course, designed by legendary golf course designer Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and his son Robert Trent Jones, Jr., marks only the third time this father-and-son team has worked together in the U. S. Caddies will be available for the players to accompany them during their rounds. A 40,000 sq.ft. clubhouse will have extensive features such as: private locker facilities, shoe-shine and valet service, a steam room, sauna and whirlpool, a business center and a golf library commemorating the accomplishments of Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and they can enjoy a variety of dining experiences ranging from the men's grill, mixed grill and women's grill, to a formal dining room, a terrace dining room and a wine room featuring the finest vintages and an on-staff sommelier. Completing the experience, Southern Highlands' golf club will offer golf members and their guests access to five spacious, two-bedroom golf cottages designed specifically to serve as vacation residences for Southern Highlands' golf members and their guests. President Bill Clinton, who managed to beat the media onto the course by two days as the guest of Las Vegas Sun publisher Brian Greenspun, his college roommate, was so enamored of Southern Highlands that he adjusted his schedule so he could play all 18 holes. The course was one of the hosts for the PGA Tour's 2000 Invensys Classic, and has continued in that rotation schedule. Southern Highlands was honored in December 2000, by Golf Digest Magazine and voted the sixth-best new private club by the magazine's editors. It has become the home course to the UNLV Rebels Golf Team, moving from Shadow Creek Golf Club.
31. Spanish Trail Country Club -
5050 Spanish Trail Lane, Las Vegas NV 89113 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Designed by Jerry Roberts
Canyon Course: 9 holes, 3576 yds.
Lakes Course: 9 holes, 3531yds.
Sunrise Course: 9 holes, 3550yds.
Spanish Trail is 27 holes - three separate nines, as noted above. The course has played host to the PGA, and is host to several college tournaments. Two of the three nines are rotated daily for 18 hole play. This gives two to play and one to rest. Maybe that's why it is in such great shape all the time. The fast greens are bent grass. There are limited reciprocal arrangements available.
A major renovation project has begun to improve turf quality at the Spanish Trail Country Club. This is a $2.3 million project. When it is complete, all 27 greens and 27 fairways, the three practice greens and the driving range fairway will be replaced.
Stallion Mountain Country Club - ( #27, #28,  )
5500 E. Flamingo, Las Vegas, NV 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Complex is located 20-25 minutes from strip
Public Play Allowed
Originally named Sunrise Country Club, owned by SPGA player Jim Colbert, however, on 05/02/97, it was sold to Southwest Golf, owned by Bill Walters ( also owns Desert Pines, Royal Links and the Bali Hai ). June 25, 1997, it was announced that the course would be renamed to Stallion Mountain Country Club. He did some extensive upgrades ( to the tune of about $? million - I have heard 4 then 8 ) to the facility, including two separate clubhouses - one for members and one for guests. The names of the courses keep changing, so I have listed them all, in case you have played them under different names. Although it is a private club, it's membership has not fully developed. If you are staying at a major hotel during your visit or are a member of a club outside of Las Vegas, you will be able to play the course.
The Club consists of three separate courses, all within the same complex. If the wind is right it can be odorous, as it is built adjoining the sewer treatment plant for the valley. All three courses are mostly flat, but with some rolling fairways, as they are built in the lower slope of the valley. Basically, the complex is not much on landscape design as they are sort of plain, quite a contrast to the clubhouse. PGA player Chip Beck shot his famous 59 during the LVI in 1991, on the South Course.
27. The Man O' War (was South Course & Roadrunner )
Opened in 1990, designed by Jeff Brauer and Jim Colbert
Year 2003 Rates, includes cart:
TEES YARDAGE RATING SLOPE PAR Championship 6849 71.7 119 72 Middle 6474 70.7 115 72 Forward 5435 71.3 121 72
The first course opened, and the one that you drive thru on your way into the complex and clubhouse. It is the prettiest of the trio, with over 1,300 trees, some rolling fairways, mounds and almost 100 large sand traps to enhance this course. Water comes into play on 4 holes. It hosted the 1991 Las Vegas Invitational, and was where Chip Beck shot his 59. During 2000, Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley redesigned the course, by re-contouring the greens, added fairway and greenside bunkers, and changed the existing bunkers. New trees have been planted, fairways re-sodded and two holes redesigned. All carts have a GPS system.
28. The Citation ( was North Course and Coyote )
Opened in 1991, designed by Cary Bricker and Jim Colbert
TEES YARDAGE RATING SLOPE PAR Championship 6676 70.7 113 72 Middle 6079 67.3 106 72 Forward 5210 68.8 115 72
Year 2003 Rates, includes cart:
This was the second course to be opened. A very flat course, tight fairways and small greens, but with a lot of adjoining fairways so that slices or hooks are easily salvaged. Water comes into play on 7 holes, and the bunkers are placed very strategically. I think it is the easiest of the three courses.
29. The Secretariant ( was West Course and Hawk )
Opened in 1995, designed by Jeff Brauer and Jim Colbert.
TEES YARDAGE RATING SLOPE PAR Championship 7272 73.6 127 72 Middle 6671 70.2 121 72 Senior 6143 69.0 115 72 Forward 5543 70.3 118 72
Year 2003 Rates, includes cart:
The newest course in the complex. Water comes into play on 8 holes. With tiered fairways and greens, and greens well protected by bunkers, it is the toughest of the three but the best of the bunch. This course plays about 8 strokes more difficult than the other two. It is typically advised that if you do not have a handicap of 15 or less - don't play this course! Hummmm. Forecaddies are available upon request.
25. Sunrise Vista @ Nellis AFB -
2841 Kinley Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89191 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Located about 35 minutes from strip.
Opened in 1962.
COURSE Back Tees Middle Forward Ladies PAR Phantom 3450 3208 2292 2928 36 Eagle 3463 3238 2694 2630 36 Falcon 3588 3320 2917 2846 36 ThunderBird 3590 3325 2915 2845 36
Public Play Allowed - Special Conditions Apply
Reservations: 9 days
Rates: vary with military rank - retired or active - or civilian
It has now expanded to 36 holes, and the different nines are named The Phantom, The Falcon, The Eagle, and the newest - The ThunderBird. Active and retired military given preference, however, non-military personnel can play the course on a stand-by list. The course is built on a flat terrain, so walking is no problem. There are a couple of lakes to contend with, but no real trouble and the greens are nice. It is actually a good course to play and if you get on, you will enjoy the course. Don't be deceived by the flatness of the course, it can jump up and bite you in the scorecard.
32. TPC - Summerlin
1700 Village Center Circle, Las Vegas, NV 89134, 1-866-457-0062, 702-577-2220
Located about 40 minutes from strip.
Opened in 1991, designed by Fuzzy Zoeller & Bobby Reed.
Tee times: up to 30 days in advance.
TEES YARDAGE RATING SLOPE PAR Back 6926 73.0 133 72 Middle 6430 70.6 122 72 Ladies 5510 71.0 132 72
Play is available only if playing with a member.
This is another course you have seen on television many times. It is the host course of the PGA Tour Championship, LV Invitational, the LV Senior Classic, &has hosted the Seniors PGA tournaments. It is the course where Tiger Woods won his first PGA tournament in 1995. It is long and a real test of your golfing abilities, with the many sand bunkers incorporated into its design, and water hazards that come into play on four holes. The fairways are wide but on some holes you must carry a desert area. The greens are lighting fast and can be very tough with some severe slopes around them. On television you have seen many balls roll into the water on #17. The course is always in beautiful shape. Limited reciprocal arrangements are available only with other TPC Courses. You must play with member or as a guest of a member. Rated #5 of the top 10 in Nevada by Golf Digest, May, 1997, and the 4th "Best in State" course for 1995-96.
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- Note on Course Rates - I have included some of the private courses on the Rate Summary Page, however, most of the courses above are not open to public play without special conditions. Please bear that in mind when looking over these courses.
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