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The 6 Best Public Golf Courses in Las Vegas

Published on 05/22/2023 · 8 min readLooking for somewhere to take a trip and get some course time in? Golf Expert Andrew Howard lists the top 6 can't-miss golf courses in Las Vegas, Nevada!
Andrew Howard, Golf Expert
By Golf Expert Andrew Howard

Photo by Bill Debevc

With over 50 golf courses within an hour of the Las Vegas Strip—and even one at the end of The Strip—there are a lot of excellent golfing experiences to be had. You will be greeted with picturesque views on the courses listed below, even some with dramatic elevation changes. There is truly an option for each and every golfer. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, there is a course that is less than a half-hour away that is well worth the play. Let’s find out what it is!

1. Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort

Course Stats

  • Location: Las Vegas (25 minutes from The Strip)
  • Holes: 18 Holes (54 Hhles, 3 courses total)
  • Par: 72 (Sun Mountain), 72 (The Wolf), (Snow Mountain)
  • Rating: 73.4 (Sun Mountain), 75.5 (The Wolf), 73 (Snow Mountain)
  • Slope: 140 (Sun Mountain), 145 (The Wolf), 126 (Snow Mountain)
  • Yardage: 7,112 (Sun Mountain), 7,604 (The Wolf), 7,146 (Snow Mountain)

The resort is home to three amazing championship golf courses, all designed by Hall of Famer and legendary course architect Pete Dye. With pristine conditions and superb views, this resort has it all!

Sun Mountain

Sun Mountain at Paiute Golf Resort is a par-72 desert-links-style course that is said to be one of the easier courses at this resort. This course has four tee options, however, some tee shots will be penalized due to the fescue if you miss the fairway. Still, that does not take away from the beauty of this 7,112-yard course from the back tees. You will be surrounded by mountains throughout the course. The course is well-manicured with the famous Dye bunkers that feature his signature eye-catching railroad track design.

The Wolf

Arguably the longest and most challenging of the three golf courses that is home to these beautiful Pete Dye designs. It will not only be challenging for the average golfer but also for the more skilled player as well. However, the great elevation changes and views of the landscape with beautiful mountains will provide an enjoyable experience whether you are playing well or not.

Snow Mountain

This course is the standout at the resort because it has the best par-3s. Pete Dye has a reputation for the par-3 16th hole, and his mark is all over the par-3 at Snow Mountain. It plays roughly 190 yards from the black tees over water onto guarded peninsula green. It couples this challenging shot with a stunning view of the mountains overlooking in the background.

2. Chimera Golf Club

Course Stats

  • Location: (30 minutes from The Strip)
  • Holes: 18
  • Par: 72
  • Rating: 71.8
  • Slope: 124
  • Yardage: 6,757

The course features a beautiful design with several bunkers and water hazards. This may seem daunting, but the fairways are forgiving. The course also makes use of the natural contouring of the land, which will provide a fair playing experience for all skill levels. The course is always in superb condition, and if you get there early enough before your tee time, you will be able to take in views of the Strip and Mount Charleston.

3. Bali Hai Golf Club

Course Stats

  • Location: Las Vegas (10 minutes from The Strip)
  • Holes: 18
  • Par: 71
  • Rating: 73.0
  • Slope: 130
  • Yardage: 7,002

Bali Hai Golf Club is conveniently located right next to Harry Reid International airport, making the course extremely accessible if you're looking to get out on a great course with minimal driving. Proximity isn’t Bali Hai Golf Club’s only allure, as the course at the club is definitely top-notch. There are a plethora of golf holes that feature plenty of water and the set of par-3s are both scenic and challenging. A notable highlight is the 16th hole, which features a 141-yard island green. The 18th hole at Bali Hai is also special. It is regarded as one of the top par-4s across Las Vegas and is a perfect way to cap off a round of 18 holes.

Although regarded as a challenging play, the breathtaking scenery and first-class facilities make Bali Hai a priceless experience that got into Golf Digest’s “Top 50 Resort Courses.” Even golf commentator and former pro David Feherty proclaimed it one of his favorite golf courses.

4. Reflection Bay Golf Club

Course Stats

  • Location: Henderson (35 minutes from The Strip)
  • Holes: 18
  • Par: 72
  • Rating: 75.6
  • Slope: 150
  • Yardage: 7,261

Nicklaus’ design elements are in full effect at this gorgeously designed course with undulating terrain, crafted bunkers, and of course, rolling fairways. It is an attractive course that previously hosted a neat event called the Wendy’s Three-Tour Challenge. This was an unofficial event that featured three teams of three players each from their respective tours (PGA Tour, LPGA, and Champions Tour), and often attracted big-name pros. The super green golf course will therefore always be found in top condition, with challenging tee shots and approaches across the course. Added to that, Lake Las Vegas will provide an excellent backdrop along with the surrounding mountains, making Reflection Bay Golf Club a course that will not disappoint.

5. TPC Las Vegas Golf Course

Course Stats

  • Location: Las Vegas (20 minutes from The Strip)
  • Holes: 18
  • Par: 71
  • Rating: 73.9
  • Slope: 150
  • Yardage: 7,016

TPC Las Vegas was designed by Bobby Weed and Masters Champion Raymond Floyd. It was a PGA Tour Venue for 10 years, hosting the annual Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

The Course features the eye-catching Red Rock Canyon in the background of the course, making for stunning views. The course will provide a desert feel with plenty of wasteland coming into play, like with the signature hole—the par-3 second hole. Coming in at 193 yards from the back tee, hitting this green with a tee shot will be challenging. The green design is surrounded by beautifully placed bed-rocks that add an elegant desert look. If your shot is just a bit offline, your ball may never be found again. You get a bit of instructional guidance on how to conquer the second hole in the video above.

Given the history and the layout of the course, TPC courses are some of the best courses out there. It is a fair test to all skill levels based on the different tees available for each golfer to play from.

6. Wolf Creek Golf Club

Course Stats

  • Location: Mesquite (75 minutes from The Strip)
  • Holes: 18
  • Par: 72
  • Rating: 75.4
  • Slope: 154
  • Yardage: 6,939

This course is the furthest from the strip, but it is well worth the drive. Wolf Creek holds a high position on many golfers' bucket lists of courses to play. Stepping up to the first tee, you will realize that the tee shot is over 100 feet downhill. That kind of dramatic elevation change will be the theme throughout the entire course, but the bonus is one-of-a-kind views. An overused phrase, sure, but views are really like no other. Golfers won’t leave this course disappointed as many regard it as a must-play on the bucket list. Even so, you may depart from the golf club with fewer golf balls in the bag.

It is hard to pick the signature hole on this course because you may walk away feeling like several holes stood out. Wolf Creek might trigger some nostalgia for virtual golf-lovers that played it on the EA Sports Tiger Woods video game, as it was one of the popular courses. It may never be played on the real-life PGA Tour, but it is still highly regarded in comparison to other prestigious courses such as Bandon Dunes and Pebble Beach.

Bonus

You may have watched the CJ Cup on the PGA Tour where Rory McIlroy won in Las Vegas in 2021 and thought, how do I play this course? Well, truth be told the name of the course is owned by MGM and it is called Shadow Creek.

You will need to directly contact the course to find out the details. Be prepared to spend more than you ever have for a round of golf if you plan on going through with it. If money isn’t a problem it is a must-play. All the sports legends that are golfers have played this course and you can view direct quotes about the course from them all. There is a general consensus that they all love the course.

Recap

These six Las Vegas golf courses are only a sliver of the gems available for playing a round of golf in Nevada. Share this small guide with friends or family and it may help to get the ball rolling on planning your next golfing trip. Don’t be mistaken by the Las Vegas fame, there is great golf in and around Sin City.

If you, your family, or friends are looking for new equipment be sure to check in with a Golf Expert here on Curated. The best prices and expert advice you won’t find everywhere else is just a click away! Happy golfing everyone!

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