Las Vegas Golf Course Reviews

Badlands Golf Course - Another Day!

2010-06-09T14:58:00.000-07:00

Wow, I played Badlands the other day and what beautiful condition it is in.

What a picture. . .Badlands is in terrific shape and just as picturesque as I remembered it. Playing in June can be hot but we teed of early and had a great time.

Unfortunately, the course was beautiful. . .but not my game. I will say I had the distinction of shooting the same as the temperature. . .106! The cart gal (what a welcome sight she was) came by regularly so we had plenty to drink. There are also water containers throughout the course so we kept hydrated. That's the real secret about playing in the Las Vegas summer. . .drink plenty of water. Beer dehydrates you but water or Gatorade replenishes what your body needs. I also keep a clean towel wet to douse myself once and a while and even put cool water in my hat once and a while.

Badlands is actually three separate 9-hole courses; The Desperado, The Diablo and The Outlaw! I personally like the Outlaw the best as I find it's the most forgiving. However, this day we played The Diablo the The Desperado, making for a longer course and a little tougher. I will say I played from the senior tees and still couldn't break 100.

The facilities are great and I got a chance to see my old friend (also one of the best golf teachers I know in Las Vegas) Clif Vanetti. Don't be fooled by the name, "Badlands" is "bad" but is still a great place to play and experience what Vegas has to offer for the golfer, regardless of the level of player.

Highland Falls Golf Course - Sun City Summerlin

2010-06-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

This outstanding course located in the heart of Sun
City Summerlin, one of the premier Del Webb "age restricted" retirement communities in Las Vegas.

At an elevation of over 3,000 feet, this course offers spectacular views of the city and surrounding mountains. Summerlin is located north west of the "Las Vegas Strip" (Las Vegas Boulevard) and just a 20 minute cab or car ride from your favorite casino hotels.

Don't be fooled by this age restricted community. This course is a challenge and has some difficult and long holes. The entire course is played among the homes in Sun City but is still a public course, not restricted to residents. This course, and it's sister course Palm Valley Golf Course are both extremely well maintained.

As you'd expect from full course there's a practice facility including driving range and putting greens, beverage carts, bar and restaurant, and pro shop with a variety of golf attire and equipment.

The par-5's are all over 520 yards so don't be afraid to use your driver. The total course yardage is 6,512.

After, or before, a great day of golf, the restaurant offers a terrific burger. Relax with a burger and brew with friends before leaving Highland Falls and Sun City Summerlin.

Hole #5 - 363 yard - Par 4 with a well protected green

Palm Valley Golf Course - Summerlin

2010-05-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Palm Valley Golf Course located in the heart of Sun City Summerlin is one of Las Vegas' best kept secret golf courses. This great course offers outstanding play, with extremely well maintained greens and fairways, in the serene this serene setting in Summerlin.

Prices for this course start as low as $35.00 for a tee time making this a great opportunity to play Las Vegas without breaking the bank. Las Vegas has long been known for outstanding golf courses but the rates for out of town (non-residents) have become very high. The Palm Valley Golf Course offers an alternative, great play at great rates.

With four sets of tees to choose from, there is a challenge for all levels of players. There are plenty of sand and water hazards to tempt fate but still be fair to the higher handicap player. Don't be intimidated by this course as it can be very friendly for the occasional player like myself.

Sun City Summerlin is within 15 - 20 minutes from the Las Vegas "Strip", home to some of the largest casino hotels in the world, and can be reached by private car or taxi. Sun City Summerlin is the premiere "age restricted" resort living community in Las Vegas with almost 8,000 homes. For more information on this outstanding living community, and a great place to consider retiring, visit one of the Realtors in this area to demonstrate how you can "retire in style!"

Badlands Golf Club Review

2008-09-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to play at Badlands Golf Club recently and was very pleasantly surprised. Not only was the course in excellent condition, but I shot a respectable 90 at this very difficult Las Vegas courses. This is the best score I've ever shot here. Even that was after blowing up on two holes. One of the par-5's I sent my first two tee shots into a ravine, losing both balls, and ended up with a 9 for that hole, still ending with a 90 total score.

Badlands has a total of 27-holes, which they rotate the play daily to always insure the best possible condition for the 18-holes you play. However, this is a target course which means you need to plan your next shot to put you in the best position. The first time I played this course I was told to leave my woods at home and only use irons. I did find many times I played it safe and used a shorter club to lay up rather than try to muscle my driver for distance.

I was also pleasantly surprised but the frequency with which we were visited by the beverage cart. Our cart host came by every few holes and was very pleasant. We never went thirsty even in the summer Las Vegas desert heat. The club house has a full bar and restaurant, as well as well supplied golf shop. There is a practice putting area and large driving range. One of the top golf instructors, Clif Vanetti (reviewed in an earlier blog review) is the head of golf instruction here at Badlands and is well worth the investment to help your game.

This was a course that I was told lives up to its name of "Badlands" but for the high handicap player that I am, I will definitely play this course again.

Las Vegas Golf Instruction

2008-08-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

Every golf course has a staff instructor, some are great and some just teach the basics. I had the opportunity to see a truely great instructor work his magic. The course in Las Vegas is Badlands Golf Club, a course that truly lives up to its name. This is one tough desert style course. The instructor is Clif Vanetti. I first met Clif about two and a half years ago. My son, then a high school junior wanted to take up golf. A golf self taught youngster of 16 years old, and very small, Clif began his instruction. Within two weeks of personal instruction by Clif, my son qualified for the high school golf team. He followed Clif's instruction, practiced every spare minute and shaved his scores in weeks to the upper 70's.

His second year on the golf team, as a senior, he went to the state champonship playoffs in Reno. Now he is attending U.N.L.V. in Professional Golf Management, a unique program at the university level, part of the Harrah's Hotel School. He has already passed his P.G.A. players card test, as a freshman, and now scores in the low 70's to high 60's. Go figure! I've been playing for 30 years and still in the 90's.

Clif Vanetti is patient and thorough. He can offer a simple tip while watching a student and make a tremendous difference. The facilities at Badlands are perfect for instruction with a separate area at the range for private or group instruction. There are several clinics available as well as privte lessons. Badlands is operated by Troon Golf, a large golf organization operating many courses throughout he country.

In addition to the golf instruction, Badlands Golf Club offers a full restaurant, lounge and snack bar facility, golf pro shop, club rentals and wedding and banquet packages. There are three separate 9-hole courses, the Desperado, Outlaw and Diablo, which change the rotation daily to offer variety in an 18-hole round. For your next Las Vegas Golf Vacation, consider the Badlands Golf Club for a challenging day of golf.

Rio Secco Golf Club Review

2008-07-31T12:44:00.000-07:00

I had the oportunity play Rio Secco Golf Club in Henderson last week and was very pleasantly surprised. The course was in terrific condition and the houses surrounding the course are spectacular. There are some of the largest homes in Vegas perched along the bluffs around this course. Fortunately I managed not to hit any of them.

This course is definitely a challenge though. Some of the fairways are very narrow and from the Tee Box to the fairway can be a tough shot over an arroyo or open desert. The elevations change as this course follows the contours of the hills and valleys in the mountains at the south end of Las Vegas. This does offer spectacular views of the city from this elevation.

Finding this course was slightly difficult as the signage is poor. Once I realized it was just off of Eastern Avenue, just above the Anthem cutoff, it was easy. The club house, restaurant, snack bar and pro shop seemed well stocked and maintained. The practice facilities were very good but the greens on the course are very fast. Be prepared for some challenging putts. I did manage to donate a few golf balls to the Desert Golf Gods but my son played from the championship tees and shot a respectable 75, and ended with his original ball. Go figure, I struggle with high 90's to low 100's while he shoots high 60's tolow 70's. I've been playing for over 25 years while he's only played for 3 years. Golf is wasted on the youth in my case.

With all of the courses available in Las Vegas to play, his one is definitely challenging and not necessarily for the weak at heart. choose this course from the available Vegas golf courses if your up to a challenging day of golf.

Legacy Golf Club Review

2008-07-23T10:07:00.000-07:00

The Legacy Golf Club is a great course to play whether your a local Vegas resident or a vacationer. This course is also one of the qualifying courses for the U.N.L.V. golf team and the Professional Golf Course Management program. U.N.L.V. actually offers a program in Professional Golf Management. Imagine that, four years of studying golf?

This course offers a driving range, practice putting and chipping facility, complete restaurant and lounge, beverage cart services, club rentals and instruction. Play is in the Legacy development of homes but the fairways are wide enough to avoid hitting a house, even though I've managed to do that.

Their hole number 10 hole is their signature hole, with each tee box shaped like a deck of card's suit. The greens are fast but fair. There are desert plants on the rough but overall most of the course is fair and fun to play. Next time you're here for a Las Vegas vacation consider playing this course for a fun day of golf.

Stallion Mountain Golf Club Closing?

2008-07-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

I just read an article today in the Review Journal, Las Vegas' local newspaper, that Stallion Mountain Golf Club closed effective Sunday, July 13th. It seems the club members only heard about this the day before, with a notice to collect any personal items from their lockers in the club house before close of business last Sunday.

What a shame as I've played that course on several occassions and really enjoyed it. For my level of golf ability, this course is oth challenging and fun. This is one course I've only hit a few houses. This course has changed hands in the past but the clubhouse facilities, restaurant and bar have always been a treat. Even the practice facilities are (or should I say were) great. I hope this course will plan on re-open rathe than have houses built on it as the two sister courses located at the same facility had happen in the past coupleof years.

I guess I'll have to choose other Las Vegas Golf Courses for my next round of golf.

Las Vegas Golf Municipal Course review

2008-07-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

The Las Vegas Golf Club is one of Las Vegas' oldest courses and is a well maintained municipal course. Located at the corner of Decatur Boulevard and Washington Avenue, this course offers a fun day of golf at a reasonable Las Vegas price.

There is a large driving range and practice putting facility to warm up before your round of golf. This course is reasonably flat as it's located in the middle of the city but has managed to place some challenging water and bunker hazards. Being a municipal course, this is forgiving enough for the inexperienced golfer to still enjoy the game but the middle of the road golfer can enjoy this as well.

There is a restaurant and bar for those before and after game bites and beers. They also have rental clubs and carts if you choose. If you're looking for a reasonable but fun day of golf, the Las Vegas Golf Club is a great alternative to the high priced and overly challenging courses located throughout the valley.

Reflection Bay Golf Club Review at Lake Las Vegas

2008-06-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

The Reflection Bay Golf Club located on the water's edge of Lake Las Vegas is a beautiful course to play. I had the oportunity to play this course twoce during the past two months and what a treat. But boy did this course beat me up. This is a very challenging course.

Lake Las Vegas is a located about 35 minutes from the Las Vegas center, east of Henderson, on the road to Lake Mead National Park and Lake Mead. The Lake Las Vegas Resort area features deluxe hotels such as Loews, The Ritz Carleton and Montelago Village Resort. The homes surrounding Lake Las Vegas are spectacular and home to many stars and celebrities.

The Reflection Bay Golf Club follows the contours of the surrounding hills and lakeside. There are several holes where water comes in play the full length of the fairway. Believe me, I've donated many golf balls to the water Gods on this course. The clubhouse at this facility is also beautiful and offers great food, drinks and a full well stocked golf pro shop.

Across the man-made lake is Montelago Village, home of shopping, hotel, dining, concerts and casino gaming. There is something for everyone in the Tuscan themed resort just outside of Las Vegas.

This course is operated by the same people as the sister course, The Falls Golf Club, also located at Lake Las Vegas. The Falls Golf Club is the first course you drive by as you enter the Lake Las Vegas Resort corridor.

Angel Park Golf Club Review

2008-06-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

Angel Park Golf Club in Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada offers a wide variety of golf activities for the whole family. This facility, located in the north west side of Las Vegas, just off the Summerlin Parkway at Rampart Boulevard, is easy to reach from any of the Las Vegas Hotels and Casinos throught the city.

There are 36 holes of outstanding golf between two complete separate courses, the Mountain Course and the Palm Course. Both courses offer plenty of desert play, hazzards, water features and challenging greens. I've played both courses many times and always find them challenging but friendly.

In addition to these two courses, Angel Park Golf Club offers a very challenging, night lighted 9-hole par-3 course called "Cloud Nine", an 18-hole putting course featuring san traps, water hazzards and the most challenging, undulating greens you'll find anywhere. There is also a great driving range, practice sand traps and chipping area, experienced golf instruction and a well stocked pro shop.

Angel Park also has a great restaurant and bar, featuring one of my family's favorite Sunday morning buffets, snack bars, beverage cart services and plenty of parking. Many times after a hard day at the ofice, I'll stop by the course for a night round at the Cloud Nine par-3 course then a beer and the best, and largest, order of nachos I've found in Vegas.

More information on this course, and surrounding facilities, visit a Las Vegas Golf Web site or check out reviews in Golf Digest Magazine. Just a few blocks away is Golf Galaxy, one of the largest local golf stores I've seen with everything you could want for golf.

Rhodes Ranch Golf Club Review

2008-06-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

Rhodes Ranch Golf Club is located in the southwest section of Las Vegas, about 20 minutes drive from the Las Vegas Strip and the largest casino hotels. This course has been open for play since 1997 and has mature trees, beautiful water features and challenging fairways and greens.

This course totals just over 6,900 yards so from the tips its challenging but if you're like me you can play from the middle tees and have a great time. The last time I was there I was very impressed with the condition of this course. The course recently replaced its greens at a very large expense but it was well worth it.

In addition to a great course, there is a restaurant, bar, snack bar, practice facility including range, putting green, chipping green and practice sand traps. The full service club house offers a wide variety of golf attire, clubs and logo'd souvenirs. If I have a great day I like to go home with a hat or if I have one of my really memorable days, which doesn't happen often enough, I'll spring for a logo'd golf shirt.

For advance tee time reservations, GolfVegas.com is available to book on-line 7-days a week or call a golf specialist to plan you next golf vacation. For hotel rooms in Las Vegas while planning your golf adventure, they can help as well.

I'm also partial to this course since my son is in an internship program working there while in the Professional Golf Program at U.N.L.V.

Rhodes Ranch is a planned community of single family homes of all sizes. Rhodes Homes is also building another planned community of the southeast part of town, Tuscany Homes and the Tuscany Golf Club, located off Lake Mead Boulevard just before reaching Lake Las Vegas or Lake Mead.

Desert Pines Golf Course Review

2008-06-13T15:14:00.000-07:00

The Desert Pines Golf Club is a jewel in the desert amidst the excitement of Las Vegas. National Reservation Bureau is pleased to be working with this outstanding golf course, located in the heart of this bustling resort destination.

Debbie, Supervisor of our Golf Desk, and I had an opportunity to tour this facility and to our surprise, we actually saw a pristine golf course featuring beautiful water features, challenging bunkers, smooth but challenging greens and fairways maintained to look like they were unused. Walters Golf, the owner and operator of Desert Pines Golf Course, as well as their sister courses, Royal Links Golf Club and Bali Hai Golf Club recently reopened after a multi-million dollar renovation, making this one of Vegas’ nicest courses. And its location is only minutes from “The Strip” making this one of the easiest courses for a Las Vegas vacationer to play.

In addition to a challenging Dye Designs’ course, Desert Pines offers a well appointed Pro shop, a bar and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a 2-tiered climate controlled covered driving range and plenty of parking. At just over 6,800 yards from the championship tees, this course with narrow fairways offers the vacationer a terrific opportunity to experience what Las Vegas golf is all about, and still be near all the action.

For more information about the Desert Pines Golf Club or to reserve your tee time, visit our web page or call (800) 627-4465.

I was told one of the signature dishes in the restaurant was their home-made chili. I only regret visiting this course just after already having lunch. Oh well, I’ll just have to return soon to try their chili, this time with my clubs.