We decided to meet up in February to play golf. Leave the snowy Canadian winter behind for a few days. Two couples from two different provinces, we headed to...
Las Vegas, Nevada.
Affordable direct flights, superb weather and the promise of a long weekend of great courses and great entertainment. It was an exciting unmined destination for us, and (spoiler alert!) we loved every minute of it. We discovered an area replete with over 70 courses to appeal to all budgets, as well as the Topgolf experience on the Strip and inspiring clubs in nearby locales like Mesquite.
Here are a few of our favourites.
Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort
A quick 25 minutes northwest of the famous Strip, the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort offers a trio of magnificent courses in the heart of the desert—the only ones in all of Nevada designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Pete Dye. We played the most accessible of the three: Tav-Ai-Kaiv Sun Mountain. Extending over 7,112 yards, it boasts a vast undulating terrain with an extraordinary mountain backdrop amidst the desertscape. Owned by the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, the resort is the first golf destination of its kind on Native American land.
Green fee: About US$140 cart included
Great value for money
Courses in excellent condition
Breathtaking vistas from the aptly-named The View restaurant
Topgolf Las Vegas
What is Topgolf, exactly? Imagine a (colossal) golf entertainment complex with an impressive driving range and cutting-edge technology that precisely calculates your ball’s distance and enables you to play different games at any level. In addition to golf, each space offers comfy sofas, clubs and a food and drink menu. Get ready for a lot of fun (guest DJ sets on weekends!) and amazing views of Las Vegas (those sunsets!).
Prices range from US$42 to US$99/hour for one space (up to 6 people), depending on the day and time.
Open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Wolf Creek Golf Club
We’d heard a lot about Wolf Creek. It’s been featured in video games, widely documented as one of the world’s most beautiful courses and compared to bucket-list destinations like Pebble Beach and Bandon Dunes. We can officially confirm that it’s nothing short of spectacular and an experience in itself. So if you’re like us and you dedicated most of your disposable income to golf rather than spa days, designer clothes or an evening at the casino, get yourself to Mesquite straightaway. About a 75-minute drive from Las Vegas, the course hardly seems that far out. Maybe it's the thrill of heading into the desert or the sheer elation of pulling up to the club . When you enter the site, don’t let the driving range disappoint you. As soon as you’re in the cart, those first views are dreamlike. Along the asphalt road, you’ll negotiate the slopes and canyons and take in some of the most breathtaking panoramas you’ve ever laid eyes on. And no two holes are alike.
Green fee: US$150 to US$350 cart included (depending on the time of year)
Friendly and welcoming service
Incredible views
Pro shop chock-full of affordable souvenirs (we brought back a flag and a marker)
Las Vegas Golf Superstore
Here’s one more stop that’s worth the hype. Las Vegas Golf Superstore is a must for any enthusiast. In the sprawling space, stock up on brands like Fore All and Malbon and shop a wide range of preloved clubs at fantastic prices.
