Best golf courses in Las Vegas

Ranked the No.1 public course in Nevada by GolfPass Location: Northwest Las Vegas | Designer: Pete Dye | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,604 yards | Founded: 2001

Why play here? The Wolf Course is the crown jewel of the Paiute Golf Resort’s trio of Pete Dye-designed tracks, and the longest course in Nevada. Known for its wild beauty, strategic bite, and uninterrupted desert views, the Wolf offers a true test of championship golf without a single home lining the fairways. It’s pure, unspoiled golf just 25 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, making it a must-play for visiting golfers.

Highlight: The par-3 15th is Paiute’s signature hole, a stunning island green that forces players to trust their yardage and nerve. It’s a shot you won’t forget.

Key features:

• Pete Dye's boldest desert design
• Dramatic routing through desert landscape
• Challenging layout with risk-reward holes and elevation changes
• On-site practice facility and clubhouse with panoramic views

Bonus fact: At 7,604 yards, the Wolf is the longest course in Nevada, yet thanks to multiple tee options, it’s playable for all skill levels, making it as fair as it is ferocious.

Ranked 6th best course in Nevada by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Boulder City | Designer: Rees Jones | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,137 yards | Founded: 2000

Why play here? Often described as one of the most luxurious and visually stunning golf experiences in the country, Cascata Golf Club is pure desert golf indulgence. Designed by Rees Jones and managed by Caesars Entertainment, this high-end public course offers dramatic mountain scenery, immaculate conditioning, and five-star service from the moment you arrive. With a 418-foot waterfall cascading down the mountainside and through the clubhouse, the setting feels more like a private sanctuary than a public-access course.

Highlight: The par-4 14th is a jaw-dropper, playing from an elevated tee with sweeping views of the Eldorado Valley. Risk-reward decisions come into play with a split fairway and water guarding the approach.

Key features:

• Rees Jones championship design
• Full-service caddie program and luxury amenities
• Natural rock outcroppings and elevation changes
• One of the most exclusive-feeling public courses in the U.S.

Bonus fact: "Cascata" means "waterfall" in Italian, and the one flowing through the clubhouse isn’t just for show; it’s part of a stream system that winds through multiple holes, adding beauty and challenge throughout the round.

Ranked 8th best course in Nevada by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Henderson | Designer: Jack Nicklaus | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,917 yards | Founded: 1996

Why play here? Tucked into the hills above Lake Las Vegas, SouthShore Country Club is Jack Nicklaus’ first Signature Course in Nevada, and a true hidden gem. Carved through rugged canyons and arroyos, the course offers dramatic elevation changes, sweeping views of the lake and desert, and the strategic brilliance you’d expect from a Nicklaus design.

Highlight: The par-4 15th is a stunner, playing downhill with panoramic views of Lake Las Vegas, it tempts aggressive play off the tee but punishes anything offline with water and desert brush.

Key features:

• Jack Nicklaus signature design
• Scenic routing through hills, canyons, and lakeside vistas
• Excellent conditioning and fast, undulating greens
• Private club experience with limited public access

Bonus fact: SouthShore has hosted numerous celebrity and professional events, including the Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge, and is considered one of the finest examples of desert golf architecture in the Southwest.

Ranked 20th best course in Nevada by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Las Vegas | Designer: Lee Schmidt & Brian Curley | Par: 71 | Yardage: 7,002 yards | Founded: 2001

Why play here? Bali Hai Golf Club is a tropical escape in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, just minutes from world-famous casinos, resorts, and nightlife. With over 100,000 tropical plants, white sand bunkers, and water features throughout, this course delivers a striking South Pacific vibe, all while offering serious championship golf. It’s ideal for those who want a memorable round without ever leaving the energy of the Strip.

Highlight: The par-3 16th is a showstopper, framed by towering palms and a lagoon-style pond, it’s as photogenic as it is challenging.

Key features:

• Island-inspired design with lush landscaping
• Strip-side location, perfect for walkable access from major hotels
• Excellent service and clubhouse with on-site dining
• Great option for corporate outings and social golf trips

Bonus fact: Bali Hai is one of the only golf courses located directly on the Las Vegas Strip, making it a favorite for golfers looking to squeeze in a round without skipping the city’s iconic entertainment.

Ranked 21st best course in Nevada by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Henderson | Designer: Rees Jones | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,313 yards | Founded: 1997

Why play here? Set high above the Las Vegas valley in the foothills of the Black Mountain Range, Rio Secco Golf Club delivers a dramatic desert layout with sweeping views of the Strip, rugged canyons, and elevated tees. Designed by the legendary Rees Jones, this course is known for its bold routing, strategic challenges, and tournament-level conditioning.

Highlight: The par-4 7th hole is one of the most memorable in Las Vegas, an elevated tee box delivers panoramic views of the Strip with a narrow landing area framed by desert brush and rock outcroppings.

Key features:

• Rees Jones championship design
• Home of the Butch Harmon School of Golf
• Elevation changes and canyon carries
• Scenic views of both mountains and the Las Vegas skyline

Bonus fact: Butch Harmon, long-time coach to Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Dustin Johnson, runs his golf school at Rio Secco, making this one of the few public courses where you can play and train like a pro.

Featured in Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” and praised for its unique design concept Location: Las Vegas, NV | Designer: Jack Nicklaus | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,194 yards | Founded: 2001

Why play here? Bear’s Best Las Vegas is unlike any other course in the region; it’s a curated collection of 18 of Jack Nicklaus’s favorite holes from his courses around the world. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Spring Mountains and the Las Vegas Strip, this upscale daily-fee course delivers a world-class experience with exceptional design variety, top-tier conditions, and a refined desert setting.

Highlight: Each hole is a faithful recreation from Nicklaus courses like PGA West, Cabo del Sol, Castle Pines, and Muirfield Village, allowing golfers to experience a global tour of Golden Bear greatness without leaving Nevada.

Key features:

• Signature holes from 18 of Jack Nicklaus’s top designs
• Premium service and immaculate playing conditions
• Sweeping views of the Las Vegas Strip and Red Rock Canyon
• State-of-the-art practice facility and upscale clubhouse

Bonus fact: Bear’s Best is part of the prestigious ClubCorp network, offering a semi-private feel with public access, perfect for those seeking a high-end Vegas golf experience without the resort crowds.

Ranked 24th best course in Nevada by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Summerlin | Designer: Bobby Weed & Raymond Floyd | Par: 71 | Yardage: 7,016 yards | Founded: 1996

Why play here? TPC Las Vegas combines PGA TOUR pedigree with the stunning natural beauty of the Nevada desert. Set in the upscale Summerlin community just 15 minutes from the Strip, the course offers a tournament-tested layout that weaves through arroyos, desert canyons, and rocky outcroppings. It has hosted the Las Vegas Invitational and the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children Open, attracting top pros and amateurs alike. With immaculate conditions and a tour-level atmosphere, it’s one of the most polished public golf experiences in the state.

Highlight: The par-3 2nd hole is a desert classic, an elevated tee shot over a dramatic canyon forces players to fully commit, with no safe bailout.

Key features:

• Official PGA TOUR facility
• Former host of PGA TOUR & Champions Tour events
• Desert canyons, native areas, and premium conditioning
• Excellent practice facilities and clubhouse

Bonus fact: As a TPC Network course, TPC Las Vegas offers a tour-quality experience to everyday golfers, including access to top-tier rental clubs, forecaddies, and the same high standards used during PGA TOUR setups.

Ranked 25th best course in Nevada by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: NorthWest Las Vegas | Designer: Pete Dye | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,146 yards | Founded: 1995

Why play here? The Snow Mountain Course is the first and most classic of the three Pete Dye-designed courses at Paiute Golf Resort. With wide landing areas, large greens, and fewer forced carries than its sister courses, it’s often considered the most playable of the trio, without sacrificing beauty or challenge. Surrounded by the stark beauty of the Nevada desert and free of residential development, Snow Mountain delivers a peaceful, tournament-quality round just 25 minutes from the Strip.

Highlight: The par-3 16th is a standout, framed by water and desert landscape, it demands precision while offering one of the most picturesque tee shots on the course.

Key features:

• Strategic Pete Dye design with signature bunkering
• Playable for a wide range of skill levels
• No housing or distractions, just pure golf
• Full practice facilities and modern clubhouse

Bonus fact: Though considered the most approachable of Paiute’s layouts, Snow Mountain still boasts a strong finish, with water and wind often coming into play over the closing stretch.

Named one of the “Top 50 Public Courses in the U.S.” by Golf Digest Location: Las Vegas, NV | Designer: Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,722 yards | Founded: 1990

Why play here? Perched at the edge of the Spring Mountains, the Mountain Course at Angel Park delivers a classic Las Vegas golf experience, elevated tees, stunning city views, and a layout that balances challenge with playability. Designed by Arnold Palmer, the course winds through desert washes and natural rock outcroppings, offering strategic variety and postcard-worthy vistas on nearly every hole.

Highlight: The elevated par-3 17th offers panoramic views of the Las Vegas Valley and Strip, making it one of the most photographed and enjoyable shots in town.

Key features:

• Designed by “The King,” Arnold Palmer
• Elevated terrain with rolling fairways and dramatic vistas
• Great mix of risk-reward par 5s and demanding par 3s
• Access to a full-featured practice facility and lighted putting course

Bonus fact: Angel Park is often called “the world’s most complete golf experience,” featuring two full 18-hole courses, a lighted par-3 course, putting course, and short game areas, perfect for all-day golf getaways just 15 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.

A taste of Carolina-style golf in the heart of Las Vegas Location: Las Vegas | Designer: Dye Designs International | Par: 71 | Yardage: 6,222 yards | Founded: 1996

Why play here? Nicknamed “Las Vegas’ most unique golf experience,” Desert Pines Golf Club brings the feel of the Carolinas to the desert. With over 4,000 mature pine trees, white sand bunkers, and water on nearly every hole, the course offers a parkland-style layout that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding desert landscape. It’s one of the most accessible and enjoyable courses near the Strip, ideal for both casual golfers and those seeking a quicker round without sacrificing quality.

Highlight: The par-3 9th hole features an island-style green and panoramic views of the Las Vegas skyline, an exciting and photogenic mid-round moment.

Key features:

• Carolina-style course with tree-lined fairways and soft turf
• Convenient location just 15 minutes from the Strip
• Water comes into play on 9 holes
• Lighted two-tier driving range and excellent practice facilities

Bonus fact: Desert Pines is operated by Arcis Golf and frequently hosts corporate outings and events. Its climate-controlled, two-story practice range is one of the best in the city, perfect for warming up day or night.

Best time to visit: March to May and September to November are the best times to tee it up in Las Vegas. You’ll enjoy pleasant desert temperatures, minimal rain, and excellent course conditions, ideal for both early morning and afternoon rounds.

Where to stay: Las Vegas offers a wide range of accommodations to suit every golf traveler. For those wanting Strip-side luxury and easy access to nightlife, top picks include the Bellagio and MGM Grand. Almost any hotel on the Strip is available; simply speak with your Golf Travel Expert.

Booking tips:

Tee times fill up quickly during peak season, so be sure to book in advance.

• Consider mid-week rounds for better availability and lower rates.
• Twilight tee times offer great value and iconic desert sunsets.

Q: When is the best time of year to play golf in Las Vegas? A: Spring (March to April) and Autumn (Mid-Oct to Mid-Nov) are perfect. The weather is warm but comfortable, and courses are in excellent condition.

Q: Can I stay in any hotel on the Strip? A: While only a selection of hotels may appear online, we can book any hotels on the Strip, just ask your Golf Travel Expert.

Q: How accessible is Las Vegas for golfers? A: Very accessible. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is just 10–20 minutes from the Strip and less than 30 minutes from most major golf courses in the valley.

Q: Can beginners enjoy these courses? A: Absolutely. Las Vegas offers something for every level, from player-friendly resort courses like Bali Hai to championship layouts like TPC Las Vegas. Most clubs feature forward tees, professional instruction, and practice facilities.

Q: Should I book tee times in advance? A: Definitely. Golf in Vegas is popular year-round, and courses like Cascata require advance booking to secure your preferred time.

Las Vegas is far more than casinos and shows; it’s a world-class golf destination that blends entertainment, luxury, and desert golf like nowhere else. Whether you’re planning a friends’ trip, couples getaway, or solo golf adventure, Las Vegas has the perfect course and hotel for your next escape.