Question:
This is for the experts who frequent this NG What are the golf courses in the Las Vegas area that a first time visitor must avoid?
I don’t know if I qualify as an expert but I’ve played most of the courses in Vegas over the years. I would say that everything is relative when it comes to "what is worth the money". Like Annika said, Badlands for $125 really isn’t ‘worth’ it when you compare it to what $125 would get you back home. But it certainly is a better choice than say, Angel Park, which I consider a rip off. There are 36 holes, all of them pretty non descript. The greens aren’t fast or well kept either. Last I checked, they were charging $135! Where I think Vegas gets off charging those outrageous prices is that they figure (correctly I might add…) that $250 for 5 hours is CHEAP compared to how much you could lose in 5 hours at even a $5 minimum BJ table. And if you play a course like Rio Secco, at least you got to play a very nice course with great service (during the summer, a guy came around every 3 holes with towels soaked in ice water!). Last thing to consider. There are services that you can call to get cheaper tee times the evening before the day you wish to play. It’s hit or miss but you basically take tee times that people either cancelled or they didn’t fill at reduced rates. HTH, MoS
Response:
Ahhhh, Annika, You broke the code. That’s what we are charging for – the sunshine! Damn it, now we’ve been found out! 
) Jerry F. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What are the golf courses in the Las Vegas area that a first time visitor must avoid? My foresome of scratch golfers are heading out there in Feb. and we want to have fun playing the game not getting ripped off by playing on some overpriced I think they’re ALL pretty much overpriced tourist traps. Not that they are terrible courses …. just that they are way over-priced compared to what you might pay to place a nice course at home. I played the Badlands a couple of years ago for about $125. It was OK, but when I finished I didn’t have the satisfaction that you’d expect from a $125 round of golf. About the only things those courses have that we don’t have around here is desert and cactus. And sunshine, of course.
Response:
One that could be avoided is Las Vegas National. The course is actually acceptable. It is, however, in among a ticky- tacky subdivision. Green Fee $140 I would have felt ripped if I had paid, but it was paid for by the company that put on the conference I attended. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This is for the experts who frequent this NG What are the golf courses in the Las Vegas area that a first time visitor must avoid? My foresome of scratch golfers are heading out there in Feb. and we want to have fun playing the game not getting ripped off by playing on some overpriced Thanks in advance for the feedback! JP
Response:
Mark, A few comments & some corrections below: Hey John I have played out in Vegas a couple of times and I can most definately recommend the following golf courses. They are expensive ranging anywhere from 140-220 I would guess this time of year but they are certainly very nice courses.
You listed some great choices. None that I would take exception with. I like the Revere best, both because of the course and the views it offers the visitor of the city. TPC at the Canyons Reflection Bay Revere at Anthem Pauite Reservation (Snow Mountain Course) Primm Valley (Lakes Course) Oasis Golf Club Mesquite, NV 77 miles north of Vegas one of the hidden gems in the country Desert Inn I played there a couple of weeks ago while I was out there for New Years. I think it is a must play because its a tough but fair golf course and it has hosted many a pga event over the years and it is easily the oldest course in Las Vegas and the course is going to be torn down in Sept in favor of building another hotel, so play it while you can. It costs 150.00 to play even though when I made the reservation I was misquoted 200.00
They have reverted to $195 until closing at the end of September. As local residents, we get to play it for $100. I agree with you about it being a "must play" course. (incidentally, it is the 2nd oldest course in town) When I first started playing it, the rates were $20 for locals ( and that was considered high), $50 for tourists. As far as overated courses from what I have played and what I have been told and read Rio Secco but you already know that, Stallion Mountian, Angel Park, Badlands, Desert Rose, Desert Pines. As far as horrificly overpriced there is the Royal Links and the new course the Bali Hai.
I sure do agree with the overpriced statements! Bali Hai just raised their rates to $300. And don’t forget the Shadow Creek course, ( even though they just lowered their rates to $500) and the newest course here called La Castada (Park Place) at $1,000. That is "horrifically overpriced"! The courses have decided that since this is a "resort" town, they can charge what ever the golfers will pay, and that is what they are doing. However, I am starting to hear – from some of them – that they too feel it is getting out of line. But when you have "bean counters" running the courses, all they can see is profits – big profits. (now, I’ve just pi**ed off all the accountants that read RSG) There are now 61 courses in the Vegas Valley, with 22 more planned within the next two years. Most of them are aimed at the high end or resort type play and rates. Now if you think it is bad for visitors, try living here. True, as residents we do get discounted rates, they are still pretty high for weekly play. Some of the courses have come up with "Resident Discount Cards". The are $250-$300 per year for the card, just so you can pay $50 per round! Then getting a tee time is a bit** because of the reserving tee time for the higher paying guests. I consider myself one of the lucky golfers in Vegas, as 10-12 years ago I had a chance to buy into the ownership of a course. Now I don’t have to screw around with tee times, pay wild rates, and I have my own cart (- yes I’m one of those types). There is a great websire solely dedicated to the Las Vegas golfing experience called Vegasgolfer.com I suggest you look at it it has good info (rates, phone numbers, websites etc…..) If you have any questions please feel free to email me. Mark
Vegas Golfer has a good site, but remember, they also publish a local golf magazine (a very good one, I might add ), and so they cannot afford to tick off any course due to loosing advertising income. For a real independent comment on the courses, try my site: http://golflv.com (no banners, ads or selling anything – just providing Vegas golf information) I also have 1-2 years of rates posted on each course so that you can see how the rates change, and maybe plan a time to come to Vegas where the rates are less expensive for the same course. If you really want to see some greed ( at least that is what I call it) note some of the courses that change their rates – and by how much – just if you are here for the super bowl weekend! To me it gives a black eye to Vegas, but that is just MBO (biased). Next time your in Vegas, let me know. I’ll invite you to play a round with me at my course – Black Mountain. While it is not the caliber of some of the "elite resort" courses, it is a good course and enjoyable. I have taken many RSG readers out there with me and it has been always a pleasure. Plus as my guest, the rate is only $45 weekends and $35 weekdays. Now that’s a fair rate! Jerry F.
Response:
Hey John I have played out in Vegas a couple of times and I can most definately recommend the following golf courses. They are expensive ranging anywhere from 140-220 I would guess this time of year but they are certainly very nice courses. TPC at the Canyons Reflection Bay Revere at Anthem Pauite Reservation (Snow Mountain Course) Primm Valley (Lakes Course) Oasis Golf Club Mesquite, NV 77 miles north of Vegas one of the hidden gems in the country Desert Inn I played there a couple of weeks ago while I was out there for New Years. I think it is a must play because its a tough but fair golf course and it has hosted many a pga event over the years and it is easily the oldest course in Las Vegas and the course is going to be torn down in Sept in favor of building another hotel, so play it while you can. It costs 150.00 to play even though when I made the reservation I was misquoted 200.00 As far as overated courses from what I have played and what I have been told and read Rio Secco but you already know that, Stallion Mountian, Angel Park, Badlands, Desert Rose, Desert Pines. As far as horrificly overpriced there is the Royal Links and the new course the Bali Hai. There is a great websire solely dedicated to the Las Vegas golfing experience called Vegasgolfer.com I suggest you look at it it has good info (rates, phone numbers, websites etc…..) If you have any questions please feel free to email me. Mark
Response:
This is for the experts who frequent this NG What are the golf courses in the Las Vegas area that a first time visitor must avoid? My foresome of scratch golfers are heading out there in Feb. and we want to have fun playing the game not getting ripped off by playing on some overpriced
All the decent courses in Vegas are pretty expensive. In season, you’re gonna have to fork over at least $125. If you’re not willing to do that, I’d suggest not playing at all because you’ll be paying $60-80 for a crappy course and it would be a waste of time. I played Rio Secco for the first time last month and paid $200 since I was staying at the Rio Hotel. It’s expensive but it is a spectacular course. This isn’t some flat desert course, and the range balls are Titleists. And since you guys are scratch golfers, this course would be a good test for you. From the tips, it’s 7336 yards and the rating is 75.7 (par 72). My advice—-if you have to play golf in Vegas, pay the money and play a nice course and enjoy yourselves.
Response:
This is for the experts who frequent this NG What are the golf courses in the Las Vegas area that a first time visitor must avoid? My foresome of scratch golfers are heading out there in Feb. and we want to have fun playing the game not getting ripped off by playing on some overpriced Thanks in advance for the feedback! JP
Response:
What are the golf courses in the Las Vegas area that a first time visitor must avoid? My foresome of scratch golfers are heading out there in Feb. and we want to have fun playing the game not getting ripped off by playing on some overpriced
I think they’re ALL pretty much overpriced tourist traps. Not that they are terrible courses …. just that they are way over-priced compared to what you might pay to place a nice course at home. I played the Badlands a couple of years ago for about $125. It was OK, but when I finished I didn’t have the satisfaction that you’d expect from a $125 round of golf. About the only things those courses have that we don’t have around here is desert and cactus. And sunshine, of course.