Where to play in Vegas?!

Hi, I'm heading to Vegas at the end of March from the UK and I'm looking for a course to play. I'm staying at the Manadalay Bay, but don't fancy paying $225 to play at the Bali Hai!

Any recommendations? Don't want to travel too far rom the hotel, maybe 20 mins in a cab. Grass range would be nice...don'tget many in the UK.

Someone mentioned Desert Pines? Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

I played Rhodes Ranch a few years back and it was a nice track with a good, friendly staff. Also, TPC Canyons is a highlight during another trip but that's gonna run you a few bucks more. Enjoy!

I go to Vegas often and yes, there are alot of tourist traps.... Bali Hai is one of them.

Another one that comes to mind is Royal Links on the east side hidden next to a sewer plant. $225 / round, supposed to mimick the best holes of the British Open. Unfortunately, aside from what they put in the yardage books, the holes look no different than any other american course when you play it. The holes are replicas, but the conditions are american, so not really getting the full links experience.

Suggestions for reasonably priced ($100 to $175) include in no particular order:
1.) Rio Secco (Butch Harmon's school of golf is located there)
2.) Bear's Best near Summerlin
3.) Red Rock Arroyo

Courses in great condition with excellent green fees (less than $100) include in no particular order:
1.) Painted Desert (Local Gem)
2.) Highland Falls
3.) Siena GC

Unfortunately, the only courses within cab ride distance from the strip are the ultra expensive.... Bali Hai ($225) & Wynn ($500)

It's been a couple years since I was there but when I golfed it Angle Park had two 18 hole courses that were a decent play, and was very reason as far as price, I think I did a replay for a second 18 for like $26 and original green fee was under $100, they also have a par three course that they light up at night. I'm sure there might be better courses, but for the price at the time it was a good play, about a $50 cab ride from the strip, I would recomend just calling for a town car that will charge a flat rate in case you hit traffic.

Callaway Golf Center?

Paiute- Wolf course A+++++ Fazio design. It's more than a 20 min drive from the strip, but worth the trip.

If you want to play somewhere memorable;

$$ Revere- lots of elevation changes, great views and great condition.

$$ Pauite- the ultimate desert course, amazing condition.

$$$ TPC Las Vegas- where the pro's play, it's challenging and fun and always pristine.

$$$$ Bears Best- takes Jack's best holes and puts them all in one course. My favorite in Vegas.

Guys, thanks for the feedback I'll be checking these out tomorrow and making a booking!

Love the Paiute courses. It's been a while but it was a highlight of a trip to rent a car for the day and head up there. I remember it being about 25 minutes from the Strip. That place doesn't disappoint.

No matter where you play - Rent a car. Its always cheaper. You can rent a car for $50 or less a day, and any cab ride will be higher than that.

What [url="../../user/25849-sbguard9/"]sbguard9[/url] said is spot on.

Also consider:

$$ Boulder Creek - probably the best deal in town, 3 desert 9's,

$$ Primm Lakes - 45 minutes south of town in the middle of nowhere, Fazzio design and is amazing.

$$$ Red Rock Arroyo - Nice track, usually a little cheaper than Bear's Best and TPC but also a slight step down.

$$$ Sienna - similar to Red Rock Arroyo.

Is [b]"The Falls @ Lake Las Vegas"[/b] still open? I think it is a pretty nice course, was a course on Tiger Woods '07 I think, can't seem to find if they have a website though. Some crazy elevation changes on that course.

[quote name='Ace In The Hole' date='25 February 2010 - 07:49 AM' timestamp='1267112979' post='2276247']
Is [b]"The Falls @ Lake Las Vegas"[/b] still open? I think it is a pretty nice course, was a course on Tiger Woods '07 I think, can't seem to find if they have a website though. Some crazy elevation changes on that course.
[/quote]

I'm 99% sure it closed down, same with reflection bay where they used to play the wendys 3 tour challenge. The south shore is the last course open at lake las vegas, but it's super private. That whole area out there is failing fast, they just closed down the casino and one of the hotels out there...

Just reading the course names has got me itching to go back

There's some real good courses that posters have stated

I agree with them, my favs are:

Revere

Pauite

Bears Best

Rio Secco

Painted Desert

Only played Rio Secco. Take a camera with you! my only regret the last time I went. Oh and the hottest girls I saw in vegas were the girls working there!

[quote name='sbguard9' date='25 February 2010 - 02:11 PM' timestamp='1267125116' post='2276683']
I'm 99% sure it closed down, same with reflection bay where they used to play the wendys 3 tour challenge. The south shore is the last course open at lake las vegas, but it's super private. That whole area out there is failing fast, they just closed down the casino and one of the hotels out there...
[/quote]

I knew Reflection Bay was in forclosure, but wasn't sure about The Falls, I think it's just a matter of time before things pick up again, a friend of mine owns a vacation home there, one of many around the US, and Canada so he's not to worried about the economy, but it does suck when the golf courses close are closed. Going to be there in May for his stag party.

No question for me however they are each 45-75 mins from Vegas.

WOLF CREEK

THE CHASE AT COYOTE SPRINGS

Agree with the above posts, I'll throw out one more that's fairly close. Las Vegas National, great layout, 15 minutes from Mandalay. Rates are reasonable, only downside is the greens are much slower than Paiute or Painted Desert.

Just played there 2 weeks ago, course was in great shape.

Cascata.

If you want to practice a bit, the Callaway range (couple of minutes from the strip) is very nice-good burgers, too!


But just do not miss your chance to drive up to Mesquite - playing Wolf Creek is definitely a must for us European guys!!!

TPC Las Vegas is nice too-quite demanding, esp. the greens, Paiute is also recommended, Bears Best too.

[quote name='rtdakota' date='25 February 2010 - 10:23 PM' timestamp='1267165434' post='2278225']
Cascata.
[/quote]

Cascata is terrible, it's in the middle of nowhere, they charge way too much, the service is okay at best. I'd play almost any course listed above over Cascata.

[quote name='LagunaLove' date='26 February 2010 - 12:59 AM' timestamp='1267167590' post='2278254']
[quote name='rtdakota' date='25 February 2010 - 10:23 PM' timestamp='1267165434' post='2278225']
Cascata.
[/quote]

Cascata is terrible, it's in the middle of nowhere, they charge way too much, the service is okay at best. I'd play almost any course listed above over Cascata.
[/quote]

You know the saying, opinions are like a*******.... Played Cascata when I was out a couple of weeks ago along with the TPC Summerlin, both free of charge. Enjoyed Cascata as much as the TPC. I guess when you are playing free rounds of golf you get what you pay for.

I would advise getting on if you can. Take it for what its worth.

BTW, last Thanksgiving I wasn't planning on playing Rhodes Ranch but went on golfnow and got a 10 am tee time for $40, including cart and range balls. The course was a pleasant surprise, fairly easy but in great shape.

Royal Links is another option within cab distance from the strip. Not quite as pricey as Bali Hai or the Wynn. It was an interesting concept of a course (copying different holes from British Open courses) and in great shape, but not a good enough layout that I'd be interested in playing it again.

Been a couple of times. It's worth paying for the top courses in my opinion. The ones that have stuck in my mind are:

Wolf Creek - great if you don't mind the drive out there.

TPC Las Vegas - probably the best course I've played.

Royal Links - (reproduction of famous British Open holes)

& Las Vagas National. Great layout.

I see Carnoustie is on the list at Royal Links please tell me it's the 18th hole!! If so I MUST play that course, it's my dream to play carnoustie but this would be the next best thing if they had a reproduction of 18.