Las Vegas conjures images of bright lights, A-list celebs in concert, great casinos and, most of all, fun on the Strip.
What it doesn’t necessarily bring to mind is great golf. To those unaware of the hidden gems that are Las Vegas Golf Clubs, the idea of knocking a ball around the Mojave Desert would seem only appealing to those more sadistic golfers who enjoy spending time in the sandtrap.
That image couldn’t be farther from the truth. There are more than 50 golf courses within a 40-minute drive of the strip, with lush green fairways and a huge range of price points and something to suit everyone, whether you’re playing off a one or thirty handicap.
As you’d expect in this hot, hot, hot place, golf prices drop in the summer months, rising again in the fall.
Given the amount of competition, including PGA courses, public courses and private courses, we’d always recommend checking out the deals and offers before you book your tee time. Somebody somewhere will undoubtedly be running an offer in this hyper-competitive marketplace.
Best of all, when it comes to golf in Las Vegas, is the scenery. A few minutes drive out of Sin City will reward you with a plethora of quality, peaceful courses to relax and enjoy your round.
By and large, these courses know you’ve left the slots behind for a reason, so don’t expect much betting while you’re out and about. It’s not about that! This is about the quiet solitude of golf set in an oasis of splendor surrounded by desert and stillness.
Angelina Saul, editor at casinos.win has put together some of the best courses on offer.
TPC Las Vegas
This epic course is located just 15 miles from the Strip and rubs up against the Red Rock National Park.
As the name suggests, this course is host to numerous PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions events. It is part of the TPC Network comprising more than 30 premier, private and daily fee courses designed by the creme-de-la-creme of golf course architects.
The TPC Las Vegas was ranked second best course in Nevada and 42nd in the country by Golf Adviser in 2020.
Previously known as the TPC of the Canyons, this is one of the few PGA Tour Tracks that are available for public play. Cost-wise you’re looking at between $295 and $354, depending on the tee time.
TPC Las Vegas is a par 71 course, a 7,016-yard championship course from the renowned course architect Bobby Weed and Golf Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd.
It is known as “desert elegance”, with spectacular canyons and desert wastelands serving as the backdrop.
There’s also a fantastic restaurant called the Grille to enjoy once you’ve finished your round.
Dress wise, this is a proper course, requiring proper golf attire, don’t turn up in a pair of cut-off jeans and some sneakers.
Angel Park Golf Course
It’s no wonder this course is called Angel Park; at 3,000 ft you’re pretty close to heaven.
Offering spectacular views of Las Vegas Valley and Red Rock Canyon, this course was designed by the legend that is Arnold Palmer.
There are two 18-hole courses at Angel Park – the Mountain and the Palm Course. There’s a wonderful nine-hole course called Cloud 9, which incorporates some of the world’s legendary short holes, including the “postage stamp” of Royal Troon, Scotland.
And when it goes dark, they simply turn the lights on for this fantastic short course.
Dress-wise casual attire (nice jeans are OK) is permitted, but non-metal spikes must be worn while on the course.
Angel Park is open to the public to play, and rates are described as “dynamically priced with prices increasing or decreasing depending on availability and demand”.
At the time of this review non-residents could expect to pay anywhere between $58 and $263, per player, depending on the course and tee time.
There’s also the newly renovated restaurant, Nino’s Grill, to enjoy, along with fun social events, live music, themed dinners and tournaments.
Las Vegas National Golf Club
Just a short driver away from the Strip (a 10 min drive to be exact) is this excellent course that has stood the test of time.
Bert Stamps designed this course back in 1961, and it has a rich golf pedigree hosting both LPGA & PGA events. In fact, Tiger Woods captured his first PGA Tour victory at Las Vegas National Golf club back in 1996.
This is a traditional course, with well-planted trees, some water hazards, lush fairways and manicured greens.
Price-wise, it offers great value for money, with early tee times for non-residents at $139 and twilight rounds in Spring at just $69.
Pricing is seasonal, with lower prices for non-residents in the Summer months.
The Rat Pack Bar and Grill in the clubhouse offers casual dining, but the dress code for the course is strictly smart, with a collared golf shirt and pants/shorts of appropriate length. Denim jeans, shorts, t-shirts etc, are a big “no-no”.
Desert Pines Golf Club
Designed for the arid environment of the region Desert Pines, as the name suggests, is packed with more than 4,000 mature pine trees lining the course.
Pocketed by four lakes, it takes inspiration from the Augusta National Golf Club with bent grass greens.
Just a short drive from the hustle and bustle of the Strip, it promises a relaxing oasis in the heart of Las Vegas.
Desert Pines is extremely competitively priced, with non-residents paying between $129 and $169 per player, depending on tee time.
There’s also a practice centre with 50 hitting stations and sumptuous meals in Duffers Bar and Grill.
The dress code is formal, with no jeans or swimwear allowed.
This is a value course residents, and non-residents can enjoy.
Rio Secco Golf Club
This spectacular Rees Jones designed course offers stunning views and challenging play.
It offers a fantastic view of Vegas, which is only a short drive away.
The Rio Secco course takes you through steep canyons and high plateaus.
This par 72 course is 6,921 yards and is best described as a course you could play every day and find new challenges every day.
This is another course with a “dynamic” pricing strategy that changes based on demand and time of year. At the time of the review, prices range from $293 per player up to $599 for a double down, essentially booking two rounds which must be played within a set number of days.
Inside the clubhouse, Janelas Restaurant & Bar ensures a relaxed setting with a dark-wood feel and an all-American menu.
Like most of the golf courses on our list, the casino side of things is left to the Strip; here, it’s all about relaxation and unwinding.
Cascata Golf Club
Another fabulous course designed by Rees Jones, opened in 2000 it takes you to the near peak of the 3,600 summits of Red Mountain.
And it is a course aptly named. Cascate is Italian for a waterfall, and the crystal clear waters of the 418 ft waterfall that cascades over the mountains runs throughout the course and roars through the Tuscan-inspired clubhouse.
This is a jaw-dropping place to play.
Approximately a 30 min drive from the hustle and bustle of the Strip, this peaceful and dramatic course is serenity personified.
Like many of the Vegas golf courses, pricing is “dynamic” and based on availability, demand and other factors.
At the time of this review, a round cost between $485 and $515 with double downs offered for $599.
If the course is indulgent, then there are no words to describe the dining.
Surrounded by lavish Italian decor, the menu is filled with international and familiar dishes.
This par 72 course, comprises of 7,137 yards, routes up and down through 800 ft of elevations.
It is a delight!
Chimera
Designed by Ted Robinson Jnr in 2003, Chimera offers stunning views of the Strip as well as the snow-capped Mt Charleston.
With forgiving fairways, the 6,906 yard layout provides enjoyable golf from any tee position. Previously known as Tuscany, it’s renowned for having strong Vegas winds whipping through it, turning it from a relatively playable course into something more akin to a links course.
Non-resident prices average around $169, making the course great value for money if you’re on vacation.
After a hard day on the course, visitors can relax and dine in Slice 19, which is their full-service grill, pizza and bar.
Paiute Golf Resort
Head northwest from the Strip about 25 minutes, and you enter an oasis of golfing nirvana.
With three courses, Snow Mountain, Sun Mountain and The Wolf, this wonderful spot has plenty to offer.
Designed by Pete Dyke it offers spectacular views from each of its three courses.
With 7,164 yards, traditional Dye railroad-tie bunkers and some impressive water holes, Snow Mountain is a firm favourite with golfers who visit.
Off-season rates vary between $89 and $119 a round, with peak season a little bit more expensive, between $99 and $139 depending on tee times.
Paiute offers exceptional value for money.
Owned and operated by the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe it has a packed awards room, including being one of the “50 Places to Play Golf Before You Die”; whilst Sun Mountain and Snow Mountain were named the top 50 places to play golf in the USA in 2016.
Shirts with collars and sleeves are required to play, and this is a soft spike course.
The Arroyo Golf Club
Just a short trip from the Strip is the Arroyo Golf Club.
The course ribbons through rugged terrain with the ever-present backdrop of Red Rock Canyon.
There are two Arnold Palmer courses at the Red Rock Country Club, but only the Arroyo is open to the public.
This is a fairly short course of 6,883 yards when playing from the back tees. It’s a 72-par course with link style layout and Bermuda grass fairways.
You can take in some great views, including one of the Strip from the par-3 seventh.
At the time of this review, prices ranged from $105 to $210, depending on the tee time.
The dress code requires a collared shirt and no denim.
Bali Hai Golf Club
This course is literally at the end of the Strip. You can’t get closer to the hubbub of Vegas for a round of golf.
With 4,000 trees, and seven acres of water features, it was designed by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley in 2000.
The par 71 course has 7,002 yards to enjoy. As you’d expect, being so close to the Strip, this course targets those on vacation and those on business.
As a result, the Bali Hai is also one of the more expensive on our list, with early tee times costing $499 at the time of our review; early evening spots averaged $199.
There’s a trendy Tiki Bar to cool down with a drink at the end of your 18-holes.
Collared shirts are required to play, and there’s no denim allowed.