Shadow Creek thoughts and a few photos

[vallygolf]

Played Shadow Creek this past week and the course did not disappoint. Very solid layout with good variety. Frost delay so it was actually crowded at the first tee (unusual I was told), but never saw another group after teeing off. Overall a fantastic experience. $600 price tag for a non high roller. A few myths debunked: There are no members at Shadow Creek. The names on the lockers are for frequent guests who are high profile/high rollers at the affiliated MGM casinos. It was private, meaning it was invite to play only at the discretion of Steve Wynn when he owned it, or now MGM properties. Operates at a huge loss, hoping to make it up with keeping wealthy gamblers happy. Overall one of the top courses I have played.

[aloha b.]

I agree with you and I really enjoyed my round too. It was $500 when I played and you weren't allowed to take pictures.

[sharkiesj]

Thanks for sharing the pics and your experience. I played it the first time 23 years ago, and then the last time played was 11 years ago, and also went to 4 of MJ’s Friends Tournaments usually held in the spring. The last time I was there was the very last MJ Tourn when Cindy Davis was Nike Golf’s president. She’s got a decent swing for a non-golfer. Derek Jeter took over for MJ the following year and they haven’t played it since. That guy ruins everything he touches...cough ...Marlins.....cough cough.

 

Moving on, I always enjoy my time there. Very serene, peaceful and unhurried. You don’t hear Fore!!! And worry about getting clobbered by wayward shots. It’s just you, you’re buds and caddie. You don’t feel like cattle being sent off the first tee. As tremendous as Bandon is, that is my one criticism of the place. Shadow is very controversial. The love/hate and $$$$$ thing always comes up and “value” and “worth” gets thrown into it like a PXG thread. To me, its exactly like Vegas is. Expensive is all relative when you’re in Sin City. It could cost you an arm and a leg, but if you’re lucky, you can play it for free.

[jvincent]

I thought I read that they only allow 4 groups out per day Mon-Thur? How many groups do you figure were out that day?

 

Did you get a tee time by staying at an MGM property and just asking to play or did you have to meet any other criteria?

 

I ask because this is now the only course in the Top 10 of the "You can play" list that I haven't played yet.

[vallygolf]

I thought I read that they only allow 4 groups out per day Mon-Thur? How many groups do you figure were out that day?

 

Did you get a tee time by staying at an MGM property and just asking to play or did you have to meet any other criteria?

 

I ask because this is now the only course in the Top 10 of the "You can play" list that I haven't played yet.

 

Definitely more than 4 groups, there were at least 5-6 groups waiting out the frost delay. I was there on a thursday staying at an MGM property on business. Booked the round when I booked the room (they transferred me to Shado Creek scheduling), there are limited "public" play days. I have tried on other trips to schedule a round and things didnt sync up (events, course closed, etc). I got the sense that on a high roller day the course was full on focused on that patron and their every need. It wouldn't surprise me if there were 4 or fewer groups on those days. Still felt extremely exclusive and not busy. I had another player bail ($500 was ok but not $600????). I asked if they would allow play as a single, and the response was we will never change the number of the group scheduled unless they request and both parties want to be paired. I thought that was cool. I played solo and it was surreal. Caddie was awesome.

[Ping Zings]

Thanks for the write up.

[jvincent]

I thought I read that they only allow 4 groups out per day Mon-Thur? How many groups do you figure were out that day?

 

Did you get a tee time by staying at an MGM property and just asking to play or did you have to meet any other criteria?

 

I ask because this is now the only course in the Top 10 of the "You can play" list that I haven't played yet.

 

Definitely more than 4 groups, there were at least 5-6 groups waiting out the frost delay. I was there on a thursday staying at an MGM property on business. Booked the round when I booked the room (they transferred me to Shado Creek scheduling), there are limited "public" play days. I have tried on other trips to schedule a round and things didnt sync up (events, course closed, etc). I got the sense that on a high roller day the course was full on focused on that patron and their every need. It wouldn't surprise me if there were 4 or fewer groups on those days. Still felt extremely exclusive and not busy. I had another player bail ($500 was ok but not $600????). I asked if they would allow play as a single, and the response was we will never change the number of the group scheduled unless they request and both parties want to be paired. I thought that was cool. I played solo and it was surreal. Caddie was awesome.

 

Cool, thanks for the info.

[irishmpk67]

Very much enjoyed the round, but at $500 for 18, $100 for the caddie and gambling loss for the day, it was definitely the most expensive 18 holes I will ever play! Quite honestly, I enjoyed my round at Paiute more dollar for dollar! Fun to do once, but that was enough for me! Will save those dollars for the next Ireland trip!

[axgq]

I've been lucky and get invited from my friends to play Shadow Creek many times. Unless the weather is either too cold or too hot to go out, I've almost seen more then 4-5 groups there everytime I've gone. Its by far my favorite place to play golf as solo or with some buddies. The staff is always top notch and most of the staff has been the same for the 10+ years I've been going.