Welcome to the Entertainment capital of the world!
This guide will give an insight into a golfing holiday in Las Vegas, known as the entertainment capital of the world and the most famous strip consisting of hotels, casinos, nightclubs, restaurants and shopping malls.
Need to know’s?
Resident PGA and LPGA Players:
Not a huge surprise that some fantastic players on the professional tours have made Las Vegas their home. It might have more to do with the great weather and accessibility than what is on offer off the course. The likes of Nick Watney ($29.2M in winnings), Kevin Na ($37.5M in winnings), Scott Piercy (won over $22,000,000 and was actually born in Las Vegas), Ryan Moore (over $32M) Charley Hoffman ($32M in earnings) and from the LPGA Danielle Kang (6 pro wins on the LPGA).
Many great coaches also reside in Las Vegas with Butch Harmon having one of his golf academies here and Joseph Mayo teaching out of TPC Summerlin.
Where to Stay?
Vegas is known for its 5-star luxury hotels and casinos, located right on the strip…..
The Bellagio
Come and the see the epic ‘O’ Water show only at The Bellagio
Did you know?
Want to control the fountains which are so iconic to The Bellagio? Well, you could obviously buy the hotel…or you could become a Pearl Member of their rewards club and for just $2,000 you could obtain control of them for two songs.
MGM Grand
Magnificent views of the Las Vegas skyline…
Did you know?
The MGM Grand arena hosted arguably the biggest sporting event in the world…Pacquiao v Mayweather, a fight which was seen by millions across the globe and a purse of over $100,000,000. It isn’t just boxing that you’ll see at The MGM Grand, award-winning shows and artists perform there every week so you’ll have plenty to see during your stay in Vegas.
The Venetian
The most romantic city in the world…
Did you know?
The Venetian has 7000 suites under one roof making it the largest hotel in the world, YES the largest!
Luxor Hotel & Casino
Experience Ancient Egypt at the luxury Luxor Hotel!
Did you know?
The Luxor Hotel is home to one of Vegas’s most popular nightclubs…LAX. 26,000 square feet across 2 incredible floors. The perfect place for a Vegas night out.
Top Las Vegas Golf Courses
Golf courses in the Nevada state are mainly known for their desert surroundings with stunning backdrop views of the spring mountains. Vegas is known for its international influences and this is the same with its golf courses, where you can find a tropical oasis in Bali Hai and the spirit of Scotland in the Royal Links Club. If you don’t just want to be on the course, why not get some practice?
Here are some top golf course recommendations which will be some of your greatest golfing experiences.
Shadow Creek Golf Club
Designed by world famous architect Tom Fazio is seen as one of the best courses in the country. Travel in style from the MGM Grand in a private limousine, then upon arrival meet your very own personal caddie.
There are many myths and rumours about this course since opening in 1989. Originally exceptionally private and only playable as a personal guest of casino owner Steve Wynn, the course has now “opened” up slightly with limited tee-times available for those booking well in advance. The cost of building this course varies greatly but most agree it is in excess of $50,000,000, given the vision of Fazio and Wynn to turn what was fairly unforgiving Nevada desert into a lush parkland layout it is easy to see why it cost such a figure.
Wynn Las Vegas Golf Club
The most convenient golfing destination in the city, located just steps from the Wynn hotel lobby. This Championship Golf Course, is an 18 Hole Par 70 stretched to 7042 yards. The desert scenery and Vegas like water features make for some incredible views as you tee it up and walk up the fairways.
Rio Secco Golf Club
Seen as one of the best public golf courses in the city is only 25 minutes from the strip and is home to the Butch Harmon School of Golf. You may even see my lucky enough to see Vegas resident LPGA star Natalie Gulbis hitting balls on the range if not then you have the Casino’s….
Bali Hai Golf Club
Indonesia comes to Las Vegas, this tropical course is located right on strip, making for a stunning backdrop overlooking the lights of the major hotels and casinos, not forgetting the magnificent views of the spring mountains.
Royal Links Golf Club
The spirit of the Open Championship comes to Vegas at the Royal Links. Each hole is inspired by the British Isles, home to Open Championship courses, these include the road hole and hell bunker from the old course at St. Andrews. A British like experience including the castle style clubhouse and located only just 20 minutes from the strip. We’re not sure you can have a links course in the desert but they’ve certainly done a good job of it.
Cascata Golf Club
Cascata means ‘waterfall’ in Italian, so it comes as no surprise that the main feature is of course a high cascading waterfall. Cascada is also highly respected, ranked within the top 10 in Nevada.
Fancy a lesson from arguably the world’s best golf coach Butch Harmon?
Butch Harmon School of Golf – Home to one of the most well known golf coaches, has coached Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. Even if it’s for a 30 minute short game clinic or a 3 day intense programme, the school of golf can accommodate.
Lessons are limited, as you can imagine, but if they are booked in advance it is possible to secure a lesson from the man who not only created some of the world’s best swings but also provides Sky Sports viewers some great commentary during the golf coverage.
What to do off the Golf Course?
Simply put, there is much to do off the golf course when in Vegas. Whether you’re into music, fashion, shows, casinos, fine dining and more. Vegas is the place to be. Why not travel in Gondolas like you’re in Venice, enjoy the ‘O’ Water Show at the Bellagio Hotel or even shop till you drop at Caesar’s Palace.
Most will find their fun in the casinos but here are a few things that are out-of-this-world but very much at home in Las Vegas…
Fancy scuba diving with Sharks?
Well, I certainly wouldn’t want to do it but in Las Vegas you can. Head over to The Mandalay Bay hotel aquarium and swim with the fearless sand shark.
Get married
We’ve seen the movies…have a great time on a night out and get married…well you’ll be one of around 100,000 that take place in Vegas each year, that’s quite a number!
Take on an eating challenge
18 would probably be a more suitable number for a golfer but at Mandalay Bay you can take on their challenge of 24 sliders in 24 minutes. Given that I hit at least 18 sliders that miss the fairway a round I think I’m pretty much there already…
Has this article got you thinking about a golfing trip to Las Vegas?
