Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it.

Just got back from a four day golf outing in Vegas. Bear in mind I have no idea what rack rate was for the last three courses since greens fees were paid with our entry.

Saturday: Primm Valley (Desert). The concierge at our hotel said he was partial to the Lakes course, but this was a fun track at $49, albeit a bit of a haul. Apparently it's been through some ups and downs in terms of ownership and condition. The greens were a bit slow and not terribly smooth which was a minor annoyance - one I considered major when I'd miss a short putt because it was playing PLINKO on the way to the hole.

Sunday: Royal Links.Played this twice last year, this time the greens had been aerated a couple of weeks prior so were most of the way back. Decent shape, one thing I noticed about this course and the two which followed is that the wind seemed to blow in from the south, not the west or southwest as is more common here. Not sure if the valley or mountain ranges have something to do with that. It made the toughest holes on the course - the 10th, 12th, 16th, and 17th - legit beasts of golf holes, and made the already easy downwind holes like the 9th and 18th that much easier.

Monday: Desert Pines.This was another holdover from last year. For some reason the driving range was under construction - one of the guys in our group said he was told that they are putting in real grass out in the range instead of the fake stuff which seems utterly pointless if true. Either way we couldn't warm up, which given how narrow the course is would have been useful. As with last year, the greens were really amazing - rolled really smooth, fast, and are undulating enough that they absolutely terrorized the higher handicaps in our group and led to a five hour round even though it's a short course.

This little track provides plenty of challenge if you don't position yourself well, but there is also ample opportunity to scare - I had six birdies and four double bogeys, both at least 2X higher than I would have for a normal round. It's also a welcome break from so much desert golf. Hoping we keep it on the rotation next year, which is presumably likely since I think all of these are Walters Golf courses and are part of the package our host put together.

Tuesday: Bali Hai. This course replaced TPC Las Vegas (Canyons) as our final day course. This was a welcome development since it was right on the strip and we were driving out of town immediately after. The greens were the second best of the trip - they rolled a lot smoother than they looked and were deceptively quick. I was informed that the rack rate was like $169 - although who knows how many people actually pay that. There's no way it was worth that much but it was a fun layout where, like all these other courses, they took a totally flat piece of land a moved a ton of dirt to give it some character.

The course is least interesting in the back-and-forth part in the middle which comprises much of the back nine, but there are some interesting holes. Because of the southerly winds though there was a huge disparity in hole difficulty: the 12th, 15th, and 18th all play downwind, downhill and much shorter than their listed distance, but the 13th and 17th are monsters of par 4s. It's a great example of par being an arbitrary number because the 15th hole, allegedly a par-5, should clearly yield a lower number than the 13th or the 17th even if it's 50-60 yards longer on paper.

Anyway, was a good time and look forward to next year.

how would you rate the courses?

If Bali hai aren't the worst greens you played on the trip, I'm sorry. They tried to switch from bent to Bermuda and then ditched the whole project and went back. It'll be years before they're playable. They suck.

That's tough. None stood out to me as better or worse than the others. It would probably come down to rate. I'd pay about the same for all of them, but no doubt Bali Hai charges a lot more because of the location and affiliation.

All I ask of a green is that if I miss a putt it's because I misread or mis-hit it, not because of some inconsistency with the surface.

I missed a lot of putts at Bali Hai - just couldn't get the right reads and burned a lot of edges, very frustrating day - but I don't recall a single miss being because the green itself was in poor condition. They don't look great but they rolled just fine.

Two of us heading to Vegas the end of August. Will probably play twice, and are thinking about Paiute. We've never played any of those courses. Any opinions about condition at this time, or suggestions? We both play to about a 15,

Other than the Heat they have a special called GolfPalooza: 2 Rounds, Lunch & 50% off Rentals Food is great and play two courses

Also what is your budget per round, have a rental car? Coyote Springs is 45 minutes out of the city but a nice course

Even though I've lived in LV for several years, for whatever reason I've never played Pauite (it is on my to do list). But everyone else that I've heard talk about Pauite rant and rave about it being great year-round so the course condition should be fine. I've been to the facilities before and the course and surrounding area are great from what I saw (it's out in the desert, no houses/buildings around). Of the three courses, Wolf is supposed to be the toughest course, Snow the easiest.

We will have a rental car. My son is somewhat tight on money, and we'd like to get by for about $50. per round. I am seeing some prices like that on Golfnow.

Read some of the previous posts and you will get a good idea were the nice places are to play. Use Golf Now and book 3-4 days prior. Badlands is always a treat but its target golf and you may hit one driver per nine holes

Is golf in Vegas possible/good in January?

Just take a look at January weather averages and you'll have to make your own judgment.

BO

golf in january is the best part about living in vegas! just bring a warm hat and a jacket and maybe you'll get lucky and it will be 60* and you won't need them!

Looking for the best/most reasonably priced courses in Vegas? Any suggestions?

Yeah, use the search function here. Been discussed a lot and there is a huge thread on Vegas courses.

BO

My bad, thanks tho.

Heading to Vegas from 11th to 13th with the wife I'm debating about sneaking in a round of golf. No real reason for my post other than it's snowing here and I'm pumped to get out for a round if I can.

The golf golds will punish you for this post with 30mph winds and or rain the day of golf

Haha that made me laugh. I deserve rain for sure.

Has anybody played Wolf Creek within the last few weeks? I've been reading a few reviews across multiple sites and they've been saying that the greens are pretty thrashed right now. Looking for some direct confirmation, TIA.

i heard they have been over fertilized and burnt - my group feels that the course itself is worth it regardless of the greens(i can't say i agree but i have never been there sooo whatever). the super at Wolf told our guy the greens have been rolled and are actually fast and smooth but don't look pretty. i will be there in couple weeks and will be able to confirm...

Looking back in thread plenty of out of date info at this point. Anyways anyone have recommendations for a decent place to play with rentals at a fair price?

8 of us playing, none of us particularly great 15-25 handicap I'd say; but looking for somewhere that is reasonably price with rentals. Looks like Royal Links/Desert Pines are gonna run around $200-215 with rentals. Anyone have idea or know of deals etc, obviously an expensive time to play in Vegas

Most of the courses have great rentals. Those are both Walters Golf courses which are not my favorites. Desert Pines is short and tight and in a seedy part of town. I still remember a stray dog running across a fairway with needles sticking out of it.

I take it no car so Taxis are in order. I like Tuscany for the handicaps you are at or even one of the Revere courses. Badlands can also be a treat but farther out. Note Tuscany has not much of a clubhouse. You can always rent clubs from http://www.golfclubsaway.com/
they will deliver and pick up. Nice clubs also

Well, just saw this blog post:

http://breakingeighty.com/wolf-creek-golf-club

and we're going to skip playing there in a couple weeks.

Few weeks can make a huge difference I would still play it