Like the Scottsdale area, Las Vegas is famous for world-class golfing experiences. That said, there’s no doubt in my mind that Las Vegas has the better off-course scene. With its many resorts and casinos, Las Vegas has a lot more for everyone to enjoy, even those of your party who aren’t as enthusiastic about golf. While there are only about 50 courses as opposed to the 200 or so in Scottsdale, Golf in Las Vegas promises a vibrant and exciting atmosphere, full of its own luxurious flavor. Here are the top 5 courses in Las Vegas.
Top 5 courses to visit while at Las Vegas
Shadow Creek Golf Course
Shadow Creek is a bucket-list course for many golfers. While it is in North Las Vegas, about a 25 minute drive from the Strip, Golf Digest ranks it among the best in the United States due to its exclusive experience and meticulously maintained greens. Signature holes include the par-3 17th with its water features and the par-5 18th, which has a creek guarding the approach.
This course was designed by Thomas Fazio and Steve Wynn and was reported to have cost a whopping $47 million to build, which makes sense. The amount of work it must have taken to practically terraform the desert landscapes of Nevada must have been absolutely spectacular. The result, however, was well worth it. So far, no other golf course in Las Vegas has been able to top it.
Cascata Golf Course
Thirty minutes outside of the hustle and bustle of the Strip is the Cascata Golf Course, which is another great option for a premium experience. With a Tuscan-style clubhouse and amazing views of Red Mountain, you’ll be challenged with elevation changes and tricky greens. This one was opened in 2000 and designed by Rees Jones and features a Tuscan-style clubhouse with Mediterranean dining options. Signature holes include the par-4 3rd, which has a 100-foot drop from the tee to the fairway, and the par-5 18th, which has a gorgeous stream feature.
Rio Secco Golf Club
The Rio Secco Golf Club is just twenty minutes south of the Strip in Henderson and is famous for its approachable yet challenging playing experience. This course takes inspiration from the surrounding desert and blends canyons, plateau terrain, and wide fairways for a unique experience. Standout holes include the par-4 9th, where you’ll have to navigate a canyon, and the par-3 15th, which has some stunning panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip. The clubhouse includes a grill with casual dining options.
Bali Hai Golf Club
If you’re looking for something directly on the Las Vegas Strip, try Bali Hai Golf Club, which is a tropically themed course adjacent to Mandalay Bay. This course opened in 2000 and was designed by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley, featuring seven acres of relatively flat water hazards, Balinese plants, and palm trees. There are also some fun features like tiki statues and lava rock. All in all, this one is not particularly difficult, but it’s still enjoyable for mid-to-high handicappers. A standout hole includes the par-3 16th, which is a green island surrounded by water.
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort — Wolf Course
Pete Dye designed three different courses at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, but today I want to highlight the Wolf course, which has one of the toughest holes in Vegas on par-3 15th. It’s 40 minutes north of the Strip, so you’re well-removed from the chaos, but it has a premier experience and holds the title for Nevada’s longest course. This course has rugged desert terrain with water hazards, deep bunkers, and native vegetation, which a clubhouse that serves all three courses with a restaurant and views of the Sheep Mountains.
How to make the most of golf in Las Vegas
Since Las Vegas is a popular area, I recommend booking your tee times early, especially for Shadow Creek and Cascata, since access is limited. Some of these resorts have package deals that bundle golf with hotel stays, so look into those.
Las Vegas has year-round golf, but the best of the season typically lasts from March until Ma,y with a break for the summer, and picking up the season in September until November. In the summer, temperatures can easily get to over a hundred degrees, so book early morning tee times if you can. Wintertime is definitely colder, but you’ll still find plenty of people out and about.
All courses enforce a standard golf dress code (collared shirts, no denim or tank tops), with stricter attire policies at Shadow Creek and Cascata. Each of these courses has multiple tees to make them accessible to all players, but for the most challenging holes, try Shadow Creek or Wolf. Bali Hai and Rio Secco are more forgiving for casual golfers. But no matter which one you choose, make sure that you have fun experiencing everything else Las Vegas has to offer, too!
