So with that in mind, I figured I would start posting some occasional recommendations based on first hand experience. This post, is about Paiute Resort, just about 25 minutes north and west of the strip.
First thing about golf in Vegas: it's not cheap.
Not relative to other warm weather destination cities like Myrtle Beach, etc. This is because money comes to Vegas, and people lose that money. Quickly. So the "mental economics" of the tourist gambler/golfer, goes like this: "Sure, $200 for (insert course) sure seems steep, but if I play craps/blackjack/whatever for 5 hours, I'll lose at least $400, so at least I'll get some time out in the sun."
And the market can bear it. So go with it.
The second thing about golf in Vegas is that a number of the cheaper courses are what you could call "target golf" layouts. They might look good in the few glory shots on the course website, but they play a lot differently.
These are courses crammed into nearby housing communities, and designed to use the least amount of water as possible.
Less water, means less grass. Which means more desert, more rocks. Less Titleists in your bag at the end of the day.
Look at the photos below. The top photo is Paiute, and the bottom photo Badlands.
Nothing against Badlands, but having played it, its the equivalent of hitting your golf ball over a relentless pile of rocks, all day long. It may be your favorite course out there, but not mine. Sorry.
Paiute is nice in that you can see the hole "envelopes" are significantly wider, so that when you spray it a bit, you are still on grass, and not in a pile of rocks and scorpions - or somebody's backyard.
It's a 3-course facility that has almost equally great layouts, although the "Wolf" 18 is positioned as the "elite" layout. I've played 2 of the three, and I don't think there's any dropoff from "The Wolf." Great big clubhouse, two great driving ranges and short game areas. Great staff.
They just do it right. And most of all, the greens are always fantastic. That is the ultimate factor for any avid golfer when it comes to the question of "are we coming back to this place."
The answer at Paiute - an emphatic "yes!"
The most encouraging thing about Paiute is that you may have heard it suffered almost devastating flooding over the summer. Video of that is below.
8 News NOW
If you listen to my interview with GM Chad Gunier, he explains the massive effort to get the courses back up and running. And I'm thrilled to say they are "back, and better than ever!"
Lastly, if you want to see me and the dummies knock it around Paiute, the video below is from 2010. Great times. I highly recommend it. Rates vary by month, and of course, day of the week. But I can honestly say Paiute is absolutely the best "bang for the buck" places anywhere in Vegas.
Paiute Golf 2010 - The Wolf from Steve Czaban on Vimeo.
I have only been to Vegas twice and didn't golf either time. Thank you for the warning about the price in case I every decide to bring the clubs.
ReplyDeleteI noticed the video of your trip included a lot of missed putts. Was the an homage to the LPGA?
drive 90 mins to st george utah..and play Coral Canyon and Wolf Creek....awesome views and course...35 bux-70 bux..Vito
ReplyDeleteI play two of the three courses at Paiute every year in late May, early June. The snow and sun courses are about $75 and wolf is around $90. They offer a 10% discount if you play consecutive days and will store your clubs there so you don't have to shlump them around every day. That is the best course to play in Vegas.... unless your willing to drive the 1.5 hours to Mesquite. You can get pretty good deals there and play a few mountain courses. Nice video. It's good to hear the wind. Always seems like it's in your face every hole out there.
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