Las Vegas - Where to go?

[Geoffrey_Walsh]

What is the best course to play in Vegas outside of Wynn/Shadow Creek/Cascata?  I am hearing the Pauite Resort might be the best place to go.  If so, which course is the best there?

[Mac Plumart]

I really liked Paiute Wolf. 

[Mark Saltzman]

Agree with Mac, Paiute Wolf is very good, but if you're willing to make the drive, my first choice would be wolf creek.

[Ryan Kelly]

Agree on both accounts.  I have played the Paiute courses several times and it seems to be windy every time I have been there regardless of time of year.  Wolf Creek is something to definitely see and play.  It's the only place I had to sign a release of liability for the cart.  The starter said they lose about 20 carts a year.

[Geoffrey_Walsh]

I won't have a rental car.  How long and how much do you think the cab ride will be out to Paiute Wolf?

[Sam Morrow]

Whats is your time frame? Can you play anytime or do you need to play quickly to get back? Where are you staying?

[Keith Phillips]

Timely post - I land in Las Vegas tomorrow night and hope to play in the heat of the day Thursday - have limited window - have to tee off around noon and have client function at 630 - staying at Wynn - is the Wynn course good, or is it worth a 10-20 minute drive elsewhere?

[Sam Morrow]

Timely post - I land in Las Vegas tomorrow night and hope to play in the heat of the day Thursday - have limited window - have to tee off around noon and have client function at 630 - staying at Wynn - is the Wynn course good, or is it worth a 10-20 minute drive elsewhere?

I didn't care for The Wynn Course but since you are already staying there I say go for it.

[Geoffrey_Walsh]

I don't fly out until 3:40pm on Sunday and would like to play that morning. Staying at the Bellagio.

[Sam Morrow]

I don't fly out until 3:40pm on Sunday and would like to play that morning. Staying at the Bellagio.

Play Bali Hai, it's next to the course, I've never been there but it's close by in case you hit any snags in your travels.

[Brad Wilbur]

It's best to check condition before playing.  Most courses are shutting down water and mowing more closely in advance of overseeding.  My friend that works at Wynn said it's looking more brown.  TPC Summerlin doesn't overseed, so that might be an option if you can get on there.

[Sam Morrow]

TPC Summerlin might not be easy to get on these days, they are getting close to the tournament aren't they?

[Michael George]

If you don't have a car, you can forget Pauite and Wolf Creek.  However, I agree on Wolf Creek.  Most unique golf experience that I have ever had.  #8, #12 and #14 are good golf holes.

I would play Rio Secco.  It is an easy cab ride and a good course with some great views of Vegas.  Also, won't kill the pocket book.  

Bali Hai is fine, but overpriced since it is just off the strip.

[Sam Morrow]

Does Las Vegas CC allow outside play? It looked pretty cool from what I saw of it.

[rjsimper]

Wow, a rec for Bali Hai and a semi-endorsement of Wynn on the same thread? Where am I? 

Geoffrey - it's a hike out to Paiute...45 minutes if I recall correctly. It's not really a cab trip, but you might be able to negotiate a rate with a driver on the front end. You could look into getting a rental car...they are cheap.

I have actually heard that Royal Links is not offensively bad if you can be okay with the replica course thing....haven't played it though, but it's strip-convenient and not $400.

[Sam Morrow]

Wow, a rec for Bali Hai and a semi-endorsement of Wynn on the same thread? Where am I? 

Geoffrey - it's a hike out to Paiute...45 minutes if I recall correctly. It's not really a cab trip, but you might be able to negotiate a rate with a driver on the front end. You could look into getting a rental car...they are cheap.

I have actually heard that Royal Links is not offensively bad if you can be okay with the replica course thing....haven't played it though, but it's strip-convenient and not $400.

They get endorsements for proximity to the strip only.

[Kalen Braley]

I'd say,

Take a cab back to the airport and head somewhere else!!

[Ron Csigo]

I won't have a rental car.  How long and how much do you think the cab ride will be out to Paiute Wolf?

$80-$100 round trip.  About 20-25 minutes travel time each way.

[Jim Nelson]

Here's a couple of ideas that have not been mentioned:

In no particular order:
Bears Best: about 20 minutes from the strip.  A compilation of Jack's best holes, or so they say.  Decent course.
TPC Las Vegas:  Again, 20 minutes from the Strip.  Haven't played there in quite a while, but seemed ok.
Dragon Ridge:  Again, 20 minutes.  It seems to go back and forth between private and public.  Call them.  I think they take limited outside play.
South Shore:  See Dragon Ridge.  Was in the GW Top 100 Modern until a year ago or so.
Primm:  Two courses.  Generally the Lakes course is favored.  Both Fazio designs are well received. Probably about 40 minutes or so across stateline into CA.
TPC Summerlin:  The tournament is not until early October, so there should not really be an access problem if you have connections.

[rjsimper]

Primm Lakes is pretty decent. I do prefer Paiute Wolf, though, if one is driving such distance.

[Ryan Farrow]

Wow, a rec for Bali Hai and a semi-endorsement of Wynn on the same thread? Where am I? 

Geoffrey - it's a hike out to Paiute...45 minutes if I recall correctly. It's not really a cab trip, but you might be able to negotiate a rate with a driver on the front end. You could look into getting a rental car...they are cheap.

I have actually heard that Royal Links is not offensively bad if you can be okay with the replica course thing....haven't played it though, but it's strip-convenient and not $400.

Ryan, have you played Bali Hai? Its an easy course to endorse if your in Vegas, and have the money.... I think the price scares people away, not the course..... Anyways... its golf on the strip... if your paying 15 dollars a drink at a club, or playing $1,000 hands of Blackjack.... a round of golf at Bali Hai doesn't seem like its out of that persons price range... right?

[George Pazin]

Re: the drive, consider calling the casino host - those guys are willing to do all kinds of things to accommodate people. Maybe he knows someone else who will share a limo, who knows?

Hard for me to read the Wolf Creek recommendations... at least I know Matt won't slam me repeatedly this time: It depends on the type of golf you like. If you prefer classic golf, don't ever golf there. If you like something new and a little bizarre in places, go for it. ("If you like steak...if you like Thai food... )

It's really really really hard for me to read someone saying 8, 12 & 14 are as good as golf gets. Wow, sad to see I've hit the pinnacle and yawned.

[rjsimper]

Wow, a rec for Bali Hai and a semi-endorsement of Wynn on the same thread? Where am I? 

Geoffrey - it's a hike out to Paiute...45 minutes if I recall correctly. It's not really a cab trip, but you might be able to negotiate a rate with a driver on the front end. You could look into getting a rental car...they are cheap.

I have actually heard that Royal Links is not offensively bad if you can be okay with the replica course thing....haven't played it though, but it's strip-convenient and not $400.

Ryan, have you played Bali Hai? Its an easy course to endorse if your in Vegas, and have the money.... I think the price scares people away, not the course..... Anyways... its golf on the strip... if your paying 15 dollars a drink at a club, or playing $1,000 hands of Blackjack.... a round of golf at Bali Hai doesn't seem like its out of that persons price range... right?

Yes....I thought it was pretty blah. And yeah, the money comes in to play for sure. If Wynn and Bali Hai were 95 bucks, it's a different ballgame.

If convenience trumps money in a walkover, then I suppose it's fine. But I'd never actually recommend it to someone unless they were known to say "opulence....I hyas it" on occasion.

[Eric Smith]

I really liked TPC Las Vegas (formerly TPC Canyons), though it's been a while. The $69 Twilight rate in August has to be a pretty darn good deal.

[Gary Slatter]

Bali Hai is overpriced at any price. IMHO

Check all courses regarding condition, as mentionned they are gearing up for overseeding.  The week before usually means good F&F conditions followed by 6 weeks of wet conditions.