Las Vegas; Badlands or Bear's Best

[iscarter69]

Best conditioning?

Going to be in Vegas in late May. We are playing the various Paiute courses for a few days, but a few of us are going to be there a day early.

Been kicking around playing either Badlands or Bear's Best. Which course has the best conditioning of these two?

[Golfinnova]

Can't go wrong with either one but they are 2 very different layouts. If you like target golf then I would say Badlands.

[gmangolf]

Badlands for sure IMO.

Disclaimer: I haven't been there recently. Just loved it when I got a chance to play it.

[Pingi]

Played both a few years back so cannot comment on the conditioning now.
Bears Best was very nice and nearly double the price to play the Badlands.
The Badlands was a fun course and very much target Golf.

If you want to play somethign really special drive north to Mesquite and play Wolf Creek.

[kg92lefty]

[quote name='Pingi' timestamp='1334628243' post='4734994']
Played both a few years back so cannot comment on the conditioning now.
Bears Best was very nice and nearly double the price to play the Badlands.
The Badlands was a fun course and very much target Golf.

If you want to play somethign really special drive north to Mesquite and play Wolf Creek.
[/quote]

special if you enjoy views, if not you can get the same quality course at your local muni.

[Coltsfan44]

Agreed. Badlands tends to be in good shape (though the bunkers have been pretty firm the last couple of times I have played there). Fairways and greens are always in great shape.

[Fish970]

If you want to play somethign really special drive north to Mesquite and play Wolf Creek.
[/quote]


X2. Amazing course, last I heard it was one of the top 10 public courses in the country.

[rge]

I have played both courses with some regularity. I can say that service on both facilities are equally good. Bartender at Bear's best makes a meaner mojito! haha!! Course conditions are at par with one another. They are well maintained. The driving range at BB is also quite convenient as it is just right in front of the clubhouse. BB will be the less penal course because it has wider fairways and moderate rough and hazards. Badlands has quite a few holes that try to live up to its name. Definitely more target golf oriented but challenging and fun. Just stay away from the gorges and you'll save more than a few balls from getting lost.

Having said all this, I agree with the other posters who recommend Wolf Creek. It's a gorgeous track that challenges your nerve. The course conditions in all the times I've played there throughout the year were superb. It warrants its ranking as a top 100 public course in the US. Someone said that other than the various elevations, it is just a muni course. I can't say I agree with the statement. It is a bit of a drive, about 1 hr 40 from the strip but worth it. Another course worth considering is Coyote Springs which is a TPC course designed by Nicklaus. It is about an hour away from the strip in the same direction as Wolf Creek. The rates of Coyote Springs are lower than Wolf Creek and a good bargain but Wolf Creek is a "must try". Hope this helps

[golfnhack]

Badlands for sure. Always in fantastic shape. I personally do not care for Bears since all the holes are different styles. I like continuity and flow in a course's design. BB design feels disjointed.

[That Bob Guy]

[quote name='Coltsfan44' timestamp='1334677301' post='4737872']
Agreed. Badlands tends to be in good shape (though the bunkers have been pretty firm the last couple of times I have played there). Fairways and greens are always in great shape.
[/quote]

Yeah! Tell me about it!! I was there 2 weeks ago and NO sand in the bunkers to speak of. Plus, they punched the greens earlier in the week and didn't tell us. As compensation we got a beer ticket for everyone. BFD!
However, nice track though. As was Cascata and the TPC Las Vegas. 2 great golf experiences.

[nolaclone]

Maybe i'm in the minority, but having played Badlands and BB quite a few times over the years, i have always found BB to be in much better shape. I normally only make it to LV in the summer time, so it's the slower season for all the courses, but i have always found BB to be a notch above Badlands as far as overall shape. They're completely different courses, but both fun in their own way. Like others have said: Badlands=Target golf, BB=more traditional layout.

[TJMAC]

Played at Badlands yesterday for the first time which is funny because I live across the street from it. Hell of a lot of fun. We played Diablo & Desperado. I only hit Driver on 2 holes because the landing areas are so small. Lost 6 balls, found 4 of them plus an additional 3. The wind really kicked up on the last 6 holes which made it even more challenging. As a local resident I got on for $19 w/ a 4pm tee time. We ended up teeing at 3:35 because it was open. Well worth the $$$ to me. I wouldn't mind paying $29 to go between 1-4pm. I might even walk on later today with the perfect weather we're having.

Next week we're heading out to Paiute to play 36.

[jwadds]

You should also put 36 holes at Primm on your list

[TJMAC]

[quote name='jwadds' timestamp='1342249749' post='5272708']
You should also put 36 holes at Primm on your list
[/quote]I for sure will. I just need to be able to get away for the whole day. We plan on doing a golf package in Mesquite soon too. We can throw the wives in the spa while we play golf. Great rates for residents.

I never had a chance to play Bears Best. I used to live around the corner from there and would ride my bike along the cart path, but never played. They were expensive for a while.

[Brianm423]

I'll be in town next weekend for my bachelor party. Playing 18 at Paiute (not sure what 18) and Rio Secco. My best man, who can't even come, works at a country club and had the pro call around to get some deals. Expecting hot weather which doesn't bother me...just hope course conditions are better than what I've got recently in VA.

[TJMAC]

You'll be looking at about 105-106* with 12% humidity. I'll be at Paiute on Saturday afternoon, not sure which course yet

[Brianm423]

[quote name='TJMAC' timestamp='1342277132' post='5273982']
You'll be looking at about 105-106* with 12% humidity. I'll be at Paiute on Saturday afternoon, not sure which course yet
[/quote]

Yeah, that's what I expected. Not a problem. See you Saturday afteroon. I think our tee time is 2pm.

[JackpotJohnny]

Was in Vegas last weekend and played the Wolf course at Paiute. All 3 course are in good shape and the heat wasn't bad at all if you get an early enough time.

[Brianm423]

[quote name='Johnny4379' timestamp='1342342218' post='5278396']
Was in Vegas last weekend and played the Wolf course at Paiute. All 3 course are in good shape and the heat wasn't bad at all if you get an early enough time.
[/quote]

Thanks for the update on Paiute. We'll be dealing with the heat....early AM tee times are not an option for us unfortunately. Drink waterrrr!!!!

[JackpotJohnny]

[quote name='Brianm423' timestamp='1342446828' post='5284556']
[quote name='Johnny4379' timestamp='1342342218' post='5278396']
Was in Vegas last weekend and played the Wolf course at Paiute. All 3 course are in good shape and the heat wasn't bad at all if you get an early enough time.
[/quote]

Thanks for the update on Paiute. We'll be dealing with the heat....early AM tee times are not an option for us unfortunately. Drink waterrrr!!!!
[/quote]

They don't have water in Vegas, only alcolhol

[kg92lefty]

[quote name='rge' timestamp='1334739740' post='4743526'] I have played both courses with some regularity. I can say that service on both facilities are equally good. Bartender at Bear's best makes a meaner mojito! haha!! Course conditions are at par with one another. They are well maintained. The driving range at BB is also quite convenient as it is just right in front of the clubhouse. BB will be the less penal course because it has wider fairways and moderate rough and hazards. Badlands has quite a few holes that try to live up to its name. Definitely more target golf oriented but challenging and fun. Just stay away from the gorges and you'll save more than a few balls from getting lost. Having said all this, I agree with the other posters who recommend Wolf Creek. It's a gorgeous track that challenges your nerve. The course conditions in all the times I've played there throughout the year were superb. It warrants its ranking as a top 100 public course in the US. Someone said that other than the various elevations, it is just a muni course. I can't say I agree with the statement. It is a bit of a drive, about 1 hr 40 from the strip but worth it. Another course worth considering is Coyote Springs which is a TPC course designed by Nicklaus. It is about an hour away from the strip in the same direction as Wolf Creek. The rates of Coyote Springs are lower than Wolf Creek and a good bargain but Wolf Creek is a "must try". Hope this helps [/quote]

Coyote Springs is [u]NOT[/u] a TPC course.

I dont get the hype about wolf creek? I was excited to play it but the course conditions[i] both[/i] times I played there were poor, over watered and divot covered greens, first group off!!! Its cool course because of the elevation but if you are looking for conditions or a skill challenging course you can do much better.

[TJMAC]

[quote name='Brianm423' timestamp='1342313296' post='5276678']
[quote name='TJMAC' timestamp='1342277132' post='5273982']
You'll be looking at about 105-106* with 12% humidity. I'll be at Paiute on Saturday afternoon, not sure which course yet
[/quote]

Yeah, that's what I expected. Not a problem. See you Saturday afteroon. I think our tee time is 2pm.
[/quote]
We're playing Snow, just confirmed. We tee @ 1:36.

[kg92lefty]

I like snow the best there. Wolf and sun are just boring. Snow has a lot of good holes.

[TJMAC]

[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1342580351' post='5296970']
I like snow the best there. Wolf and sun are just boring. Snow has a lot of good holes.
[/quote]Cool, thanks. The photos on their website look great. Got a good resident rate($45), so I won't complain.

[Brianm423]

[quote name='TJMAC' timestamp='1342581514' post='5297090']
[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1342580351' post='5296970']
I like snow the best there. Wolf and sun are just boring. Snow has a lot of good holes.
[/quote]Cool, thanks. The photos on their website look great. Got a good resident rate($45), so I won't complain.
[/quote]

We're paying $59. I wonder if they tell you what course you're playing or if you can pick. Obviously I've never played Vegas golf before so have no idea other than based on the Pauite website pics.

Also playing Rio Secco $100 rate.

[TJMAC]

[quote name='Brianm423' timestamp='1342624141' post='5299472']
[quote name='TJMAC' timestamp='1342581514' post='5297090']
[quote name='kg92lefty' timestamp='1342580351' post='5296970']
I like snow the best there. Wolf and sun are just boring. Snow has a lot of good holes.
[/quote]Cool, thanks. The photos on their website look great. Got a good resident rate($45), so I won't complain.
[/quote]

We're paying $59. I wonder if they tell you what course you're playing or if you can pick. Obviously I've never played Vegas golf before so have no idea other than based on the Pauite website pics.

Also playing Rio Secco $100 rate.
[/quote]I know they charge more $$$ for Wolf. I was able to select which course I wanted to play. Wolf was $50 for NV residents. What day are you playing Rio Secco?

Back to to OT on this thread. I plan to walk on at Badlands later today. I need to break 90 there...haha.

[Brianm423]

I guess I should apologize taking the focus off the OT! Last quick question...and this is general Vegas golf question -

Traveling from the Palazzo Saturday and Sunday for Paiute & Rio Secco with 5 dudes total...whats my best option for transportation? Should I have concierge set me up with a limo or rent car?

[TJMAC]

[quote name='Brianm423' timestamp='1342633639' post='5300556']
I guess I should apologize taking the focus off the OT! Last quick question...and this is general Vegas golf question -

Traveling from the Palazzo Saturday and Sunday for Paiute & Rio Secco with 5 dudes total...whats my best option for transportation? Should I have concierge set me up with a limo or rent car?
[/quote]Paiute is far. You should probably rent a car that day. Limo would cost $$$. Cab will probably be a good chunk of change too but if you split it 5 ways it could be cheaper. You'll be almost 30 miles away. Renting a car will cost next to nothing and you can pick it up at most hotels.

[JackpotJohnny]

[quote name='Brianm423' timestamp='1342633639' post='5300556']
I guess I should apologize taking the focus off the OT! Last quick question...and this is general Vegas golf question -

Traveling from the Palazzo Saturday and Sunday for Paiute & Rio Secco with 5 dudes total...whats my best option for transportation? Should I have concierge set me up with a limo or rent car?
[/quote]

Car service is gonna be about $120 each way

[Munchies418]

If you're willing to drive one hour out from the strip, try out wolf creek!