Bali Hai golf course offers golf in a
South Pacific setting.
Las Vegas is a lot of things, but a golf destination? It’s true. A
recent online poll conducted by the publishers of Golf Digest
ranked Las Vegas first on a list of 37 markets as the best-known
U.S. destination among golfers, beating out Orlando and Hawaii for
the top spot.
It doesn’t come as a surprise to Michael B. Levine, director of
marketing for Walter’s Golf, owners of Bali Hai, Desert Pines and
Royal Links Golf Club.
“Vegas is one of the most popular vacation destinations and with
over 60 great golf courses offering a very diverse range of
experiences, it is becoming a more popular golf destination. We’re
fortunate enough to have golfers from all over the world play here.
The universal love of golf overcomes language barriers,” he
said.
And cooler weather in the desert means busier days on the
course, so advise clients to do their homework and reserve a tee
time in advance of arriving. Las Vegas has courses for all skill
levels and budgets. The Paiute Golf Resort, for example, has three
Peter Dye-designed 18-hole courses, each with its own
challenges.
Royal Links golf course
Several casino companies own courses as well, which they make
available to their guests (at an additional cost). The Wynn Las
Vegas course, exclusive for those staying there, is directly behind
the Strip hotel. Harrah’s Entertainment operates two courses,
Cascata, a ritzy Tuscan-style country club that is one of the most
scenic golf courses in Nevada and the Rio Secco Golf Club in the
foothills of the Black Mountains a 13-mile drive from the Strip.
Tiger Woods holds the course record at Rio Secco, a 64.
Las Vegas also offers golfers some rather unique
opportunities.
“People come to Vegas to do things that they normally can’t do
back home,” Levine explained. “For golfers that includes playing
the best 18 holes from 11 different British Open rotation courses
[at Royal Links], or playing a South Pacific paradise with views of
the Strip hotels from tees and greens [at Bali Hai] or enjoying a
‘Pinehurst-like’ experience in the desert of Vegas [at Desert
Pines].” So from Cascata, which Sports Illustrated once called
“golf’s hidden treasure” to Royal Links, which replicates some of
golf’s grandest holes including the “Road Hole” and “Hell Bunker”
from St. Andrews, and the “Postage Stamp” from Royal Troon, golfers
around the world are taking aim in Las Vegas.
Levine has one reminder though.
“In addition to great golf, it’s still Vegas baby,” he joked.
“If all you’re looking for is a relaxing golf getaway, there’s
always Scottsdale.”
