Trip to Vegas in late February. Recommendations?

[QMany]

Been creeping on the site for a while but this is my first post.

 

Heading out to Vegas the last weekend of February. Going to be there three days and my friend and I wanted to fit in two rounds. Both play to about 15 handicaps. Will be some of the first rounds of the season for us as we come from the MIdwest where it will be snowing until March.

 

What do you guys suggest? Thanks in advance.

[TML]

if you get a rental car, head out to Wolf Creek.

if money no object, Shadow Creek. Or if you are staying at the Wynn, the Wynn Country Club. Steve will be tearing up the golf course at some point to build another casino hotel.

if you are on the south end of the strip. try Primm resorts.

[mlesser]

Check out the March post..... Great recommendations in there.

[lvphil702]

Key really is if you have a car or not! Golf in Vegas for tourist is not cheap as it is!

Cabs in Vegas can be very expensive...just McCarren to a strip hotel is $20. BaliHai is close to the strip but a rip off at over $200 a round. Some of the best in Vegas is on the far edges...Paiute, TPC Vegas, Badlands, Rio Secco or even waaaaaaayyy out in Primm.

Cabing it or have a car?

[QMany]

Will be cabbing it around the city. Guess that limits my options. I have never been to Vegas and don't know the area well at all.

[lvphil702]

If it's cabs look into Las Vegas National, Wildhorse, Rhodes Ranch or out into the Summerlin area....TPC Las Vegas, Badlands or Siena.

If money is no object and your staying at Wynn you have a course out the back door...for about $500 a round.

[DocChoi]

I always play around Summerlin which has a large number of very good courses. It is really not that close to get there actually 20-30 miles.
Not sure if a cab would be cheaper than renting a car for a day even.

I've played
Badlands - Really nice, tough. Fun to play but if you're not driving well it can be pretty tough.
Angel park - was so so. Didnt remmeber much.

I think i played Arroyo Golf club..which was pretty solid
Black Mountain in henderson was solid
Siena Golf was very solid

[url="http://www.greenskeeper.org/southern_nevada/golf_courses/?dMap=28"]http://www.greenskeeper.org/southern_nevada/golf_courses/?dMap=28[/url]

[dbloom136]

[quote name='DocChoi' timestamp='1292822140' post='2849361']
I always play around Summerlin which has a large number of very good courses. It is really not that close to get there actually 20-30 miles.
Not sure if a cab would be cheaper than renting a car for a day even.

I've played
Badlands - Really nice, tough. Fun to play but if you're not driving well it can be pretty tough.
Angel park - was so so. Didnt remmeber much.

I think i played Arroyo Golf club..which was pretty solid
Black Mountain in henderson was solid
Siena Golf was very solid

[url="http://www.greenskeeper.org/southern_nevada/golf_courses/?dMap=28"]http://www.greenskee...ourses/?dMap=28[/url]
[/quote]
Summerlin if you go the right way is no where near 20-30 miles from the strip. that being said, 2 course i like are the Revere courses Lexington and Concord. Also in Summerlin Highland falls is nice as well. Angel Park has 2 courses they are ok but nothing special.

[DocChoi]

K maybe 12-20.
Depends on where your going.

Just seems far

[bighitter_1407]

Wolf Creek is definately a MUST GO.

TPC Las Vegas was not as expected. Moneywaster IMHO

Desert Pines is nice. Close to strip area and not too expensive.

[lvphil702]

[quote name='bighitter_1407' timestamp='1292842710' post='2849557']
Wolf Creek is definately a MUST GO.

TPC Las Vegas was not as expected. Moneywaster IMHO

Desert Pines is nice. Close to strip area and not too expensive.
[/quote]


Funny, to the locals Desert Pines is a waste of money but TPC is considered one of the best!

[Mainlinegolfer]

My recommendation is don't go to Las Vegas to play golf. Go to Arizona, California/Palm Springs, Hawaii, Mexico, Myrtle Beach, Florida, Carribean, Spain, Australia, anywhere else.

I've played virtually every course in Las Vegas (family and business required that I was there more often than I wanted to be) and the courses are, at best, nothing special (with the possible exception of driving up to Wolf Creek and playing Shadow Creek (but I'm not sure it's worth the money)) and and [u]the cost of playing golf for visitors is a monumental rip-off[/u]. There are a few courses that are "worth" $60-$100 but no courses that are worth more. I could, and have, elaborated on this before, and some will disagree because they played when hungover or were desperate for a golf fix. I will, and have, paid high green fees to play great, memorable classic courses, but paying a lot of money at mediocre courses intent on ripping off visitors drives me crazy.

In the case of Las Vegas, let me just leave it at this: if the trip's objective is primarily golf and decent weather, go elsewhere. If you are going to Las Vegas for nightlife and gambling, and golf is incidental, then fine, go. However, be prepared for mostly mediocre golf courses and be aware that locals are paying a fraction of what a tourist pays (unless you're a high roller and get comped).

[I_HATE_SNOW]

We go to Vegas every fall and have learned to golf in Pahrump, Mesquite, St. George, and Coyote Springs.

[emperor91108]

[quote name='Mainlinegolfer' timestamp='1292865512' post='2849917']
My recommendation is don't go to Las Vegas to play golf. Go to Arizona, California/Palm Springs, Hawaii, Mexico, Myrtle Beach, Florida, Carribean, Spain, Australia, anywhere else.

I've played virtually every course in Las Vegas (family and business required that I was there more often than I wanted to be) and the courses are, at best, nothing special (with the possible exception of driving up to Wolf Creek and playing Shadow Creek (but I'm not sure it's worth the money)) and and [u]the cost of playing golf for visitors is a monumental rip-off[/u]. There are a few courses that are "worth" $60-$100 but no courses that are worth more. I could, and have, elaborated on this before, and some will disagree because they played when hungover or were desperate for a golf fix. I will, and have, paid high green fees to play great, memorable classic courses, but paying a lot of money at mediocre courses intent on ripping off visitors drives me crazy.

In the case of Las Vegas, let me just leave it at this: if the trip's objective is primarily golf and decent weather, go elsewhere. If you are going to Las Vegas for nightlife and gambling, and golf is incidental, then fine, go. However, be prepared for mostly mediocre golf courses and be aware that locals are paying a fraction of what a tourist pays (unless you're a high roller and get comped).
[/quote]

Interesting perspective. Can you get similar night life in Palm Springs?

[Mainlinegolfer]

[quote name='emperor91108' timestamp='1292969853' post='2852489']
[quote name='Mainlinegolfer' timestamp='1292865512' post='2849917']
My recommendation is don't go to Las Vegas to play golf. Go to Arizona, California/Palm Springs, Hawaii, Mexico, Myrtle Beach, Florida, Carribean, Spain, Australia, anywhere else.

I've played virtually every course in Las Vegas (family and business required that I was there more often than I wanted to be) and the courses are, at best, nothing special (with the possible exception of driving up to Wolf Creek and playing Shadow Creek (but I'm not sure it's worth the money)) and and [u]the cost of playing golf for visitors is a monumental rip-off[/u]. There are a few courses that are "worth" $60-$100 but no courses that are worth more. I could, and have, elaborated on this before, and some will disagree because they played when hungover or were desperate for a golf fix. I will, and have, paid high green fees to play great, memorable classic courses, but paying a lot of money at mediocre courses intent on ripping off visitors drives me crazy.

In the case of Las Vegas, let me just leave it at this: [b] if the trip's objective is primarily golf and decent weather, go elsewhere. [b]If you are going to Las Vegas for nightlife and gambling, and golf is incidental, then fine, go.[/b][/b] However, be prepared for mostly mediocre golf courses and be aware that locals are paying a fraction of what a tourist pays (unless you're a high roller and get comped).
[/quote]

Interesting perspective. Can you get similar night life in Palm Springs?
[/quote]
Read what I wrote [b](in bold). [/b]I stand by my opinion of golf in Las Vegas.

[TML]

it kind of sounds like they were going to vegas regardless and wanted to fit in 2 rounds. So your opinion, while valid, does not apply in this thread.

Let me tell you, when you are betting black and purple chips at the blackjack table, $500 to play the Wynn or Shadow Creek for 5 hrs, is a bargain!
l
And the most warped thing I've ever seen is golfing with a guy at Primm, who marked his ball with his yellow $1000 chip from the mirage. I would always leave my high denom chips in the safe in my room. I would have been a nut to take them with me to the course.

[SolarAegis]

Bali Hai

[Mainlinegolfer]

[quote name='TML' timestamp='1292977998' post='2852755']
it kind of sounds like they were going to vegas regardless and wanted to fit in 2 rounds. So your opinion, while valid, does not apply in this thread.

Let me tell you, when you are betting black and purple chips at the blackjack table, $500 to play the Wynn or Shadow Creek for 5 hrs, is a bargain!
l
And the most warped thing I've ever seen is golfing with a guy at Primm, who marked his ball with his yellow $1000 chip from the mirage. I would always leave my high denom chips in the safe in my room. I would have been a nut to take them with me to the course.
[/quote]

Thanks for confirming my opinion. Some people enjoy and are impressed by betting "black and purple" chips or marking a golf ball with a "yellow $1000 chip from the Mirage". However, it's not my idea of class.

Regardless of personal wealth, I don't think paying $500 to play Wynn or Shadow Creek could ever be considered a "bargain". My point is that if someone chooses to spend several hundred dollars to play golf (and I have at places like Pebble Beach, Pinehurst #2, St. Andrews,, and when I was invited to play Cypress Point and Pine Valley, I didn't even ask the cost), there are many courses at which I'd rather play if I have to spend that kind of money on a green fee. I've played Pebble Beach many times over 40 years and seen green fees escalate to "$495 or whatever the market will bear", but I also think it is overpriced for 6 hour rounds and uneven conditions, especially the greens. I also continue to believe strongly that most golf courses in Las Vegas are poor to average courses and that visitors paying $200-$300 are getting ripped-off, especially compared to what locals pay, and several in are pretty tacky areas of town. I also said a few are OK if you pay, say, $60-$80. Also, I don't happen to like courses surrounded by houses or condos, but that's me.

As I said (twice), if you want nightlife and gambling, by all means, go to Las Vegas. However, I've played golf all over the world and golf is Las Vegas is mediocre and overpriced. Sure, I'm being intentionally provocative and risking antagonizing LV locals and other lovers of hitting the casinos, but I think serious golfers on Golfwrx from across the U.S. and from overseas considering going to LV ought to be aware of what they are facing. (Aside from the fact that it can also be cold and windy in LV during the winter, especially as the sun goes down at the end of a short day).

Full disclosure: I do not work for the Las Vegas convention and tourist bureau.

[TML]

no one is disputing the fact that if you want a golf only destination, Vegas would not be on the list. It's not fun or funny.

Trying to impress us with your level of Class, now that is a little bit funny.

[Mainlinegolfer]

[quote name='TML' timestamp='1292991754' post='2853280']
no one is disputing the fact that if you want a golf only destination, Vegas would not be on the list. It's not fun or funny.

Trying to impress us with your level of Class, now that is a little bit funny.
[/quote]
I think you opened the door and made it fair game when you decided to post your references to $500 and $1000 chips and said Shadow Creek at $500 was a "bargain". Wasn't that designed to impress? I just said that that didn't impress me much.

[DRAGOLF1]

Go play Paiute the Wolf course... always a good test and not as gimmicky as most Las Vegas golf courses...

[teejaywhy]

FWIW, a round at Shadow Creek includes a limo ride.

[I_HATE_SNOW]

[quote name='SolarAegis' timestamp='1292979226' post='2852787']
Bali Hai
[/quote]

Should be easy to get on, too bad it won't look like a golf course by then.

[lvphil702]

Before this gets out of hand you might want to look at golfnow.com for Vegas tee times and prices on your dates. I threw in the last weekend in February as you stated and some good ones came up. Any of the Paiute course are available in the $79 to $99 range. More will come available as we get closer. Just about every tee time in Vegas comes with cart and some with range balls too.

Though Vegas tee times can be expensive at some courses the economy has driven Vegas prices down. Vegas is a great place to take a golf trip because the fringe benefits are top notch.

[QMany]

It is a guys trip primarily for gambling/nightlife. I am not much of a gambler and kind of wanted to get my golf fix; there is a foot of snow on the ground and courses won't open back up until late March. I heard great things about Paiute and was excited to try it but didn't realize it was so far off of the strip. I guess the cabs to and from add up quickly on top of the greens fees.

[lvphil702]

[quote name='QMany' timestamp='1293086158' post='2855454']
It is a guys trip primarily for gambling/nightlife. I am not much of a gambler and kind of wanted to get my golf fix; there is a foot of snow on the ground and courses won't open back up until late March. I heard great things about Paiute and was excited to try it but didn't realize it was so far off of the strip. I guess the cabs to and from add up quickly on top of the greens fees.
[/quote]

Rent a car...you'll be surprised how cheap it is. One round trip in a cab could easily be $80 to Paiute. A car might be $60 for a whole weekend. You may want to get this e-book [url="http://www.amazon.com/Golf-Las-Vegas-Ultimate-Guide/dp/0929712528"]Golf Las Vegas[/url] Good stuff regarding golf inj Vegas, he has some good tips and is very opinionated.