From Las Vegas to Mesquite, Nevada has some of the top desert golf layouts in the US. With video game classics like Wolf Creek and hidden gems like Paiute, a golf trip to ‘The Silver State’ will not disappoint!
When you think of the state of Nevada, golf isn’t typically the first thing that comes to mind, but maybe it should be. With two fantastic golf destinations in Las Vegas and Mesquite, you can book multiple trips and still get a different experience each time.
If you are looking to travel to the desert on your next golf trip, here are 7 of the best golf courses in Nevada to add to your itinerary:
Located a short 15 miles south of the Las Vegas Strip, you will find the superb Rio Secco Golf Club. A Rees Jones design opened in 1997, this course winds through the Henderson desert hills and through canyons with elevation changes everywhere you look.
At just under 7,000 yards from the back tees, this course will test every one of your golf skills including accuracy off the tee and putting skills. It also has four sets of tee boxes to choose from to accommodate golfers of all skill levels.
As you play through the back nine, you will get some spectacular views of the famous Las Vegas skyline in the distance which only adds to the experience at Rio Secco.
Length: - Back tees: 7215 yards - Front tees: 5226 yards Par: 71 Architect: Rees Jones, Keith Evans, and Steve Weisser Founded: 1997 Course type: Desert style
Golf video game enthusiasts will certainly recognize the next layout on our best golf courses in Nevada list. Wolf Creek Golf Club is one of the most sought-after tee times in all of Nevada. This unreal golf course was built in 2000 with the hopes of putting Mesquite on the golfing map and it succeeded.
Located approximately 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, this par-72 design is worth the drive with immaculate, green fairways, white sand bunkers, and some of the most stunning views around. While the conditions and scenery are special, the course presents a tough test of golf playing just over 6,900 yards from the tips with unique holes offering dramatic elevation changes and desert terrain waiting for any errant shots.
Length: - Back tees: 6939 yards - Front tees: 4101 yards Par: 72 Architect: Dennis Ryder Founded: 2000 Course type: Desert style
From one wolf to another, the next layout on our list is the Wolf Course at the wonderful Paiute Golf Resort. This expansive property is home to three 18-hole championship golf courses crafted by Pete Dye, set amongst the most natural desert terrain you can find. All three courses are kept in immaculate shape, and each has its own experiences, but the best of them all is the Wolf Course.
The Wolf is the newest and most difficult of the three courses on property, and is also the longest golf course in the state, playing at 7,604 yards from the furthest tees. Out on the course, you will find narrow, undulating fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and quick greens all in a surreal desert layout with picturesque scenery everywhere you turn.
Large lakes come into play on only four of the holes, including the par-3 15th which is a large island, hourglass-shaped green. The property is located about 25 miles northwest of The Strip, but the golf at Paiute is well worth the drive, especially if you play more than one round here!
Length: - Back tees: 7604 yards - Front tees: 5130 yards Par: 72 Architect: Pete Dye Founded: 2001 Course type: Desert style
Situated less than 5 miles away from Wolf Creek is another great track to add to your trip itinerary. Conestoga Golf Club was opened in 2009 and designed by Gary Panks, adding another top-tier course to Mesquite’s growing golf scene.
This championship course offers golfers of all abilities an enjoyable experience with incredible scenery, desert atmosphere, and pristine conditions. The course itself undulates through the natural canyons with rugged terrain, rock outcroppings, and water hazards to add to the challenge.
The back tees play at 7,200 yards, but the course offers five sets of tee boxes to choose from to accommodate golfers of every skill level. With a mountainous backdrop wherever you look, it will be hard to forget your round at Conestoga.
Length: - Back tees: 7232 yards - Front tees: 5017 yards Par: 72 Architect: Gary Panks Founded: 2009 Course type: Desert style
Located approximately 25 miles southeast of The Strip is where you will find the premier Cascata Golf Club. This desert golf experience is certainly one to add to your “must-play” golf course list as it is carved into the mountains and valleys of southeastern Nevada.
Another long golf course designed by Rees Jones, your round at Cascata will feature rolling fairways, dramatic elevation changes, fast greens, and incredible views. This par-72 plays at just over 7,100 yards from the back tees and with three other tee boxes to choose from, you can make the course as long or as short as you want.
The practice facilities on-site include an expansive driving range, a short game area, and a putting green so you can perfect your game before you take on this difficult course.
Length: - Back tees: 7137 yards - Front tees: 5543 yards Par: 72 Architect: Rees Jones and Keith Evans Founded: 2000 Course type: Desert style
If you are looking for luxurious golf in Nevada, then look no further than SouthShore Country Club. This club is the first private Jack Nicklaus signature design in the entire state and offers a first-class experience to all those who play there. As you enter the property, the large Mediterranean-style clubhouse greets you along with picturesque views of Lake Las Vegas and the distant mountains.
Out on the course, you will experience large, generous fairways, with undulation and elevation changes throughout the desert landscape. The greens are narrow and firm with unique bunkering off the fairways and around the greens. The course winds its way up and down the Henderson hills with a handful of holes playing down towards Lake Las Vegas so water will come into play on a few holes on both nines. The tips only play from 6,900 yards and with 5 sets of tee boxes to choose from, your round at SouthShore is going to be one you will remember for a long time!
Length: - Back tees: 6918 yards - Front tees: 4844 yards Par: 71 Architect: Jack Nicklaus Founded: 1996 Course type: Desert style
TPC Las Vegas is a meticulous Bobby Weed & Raymond Floyd design that opened in 1996 and has hosted former and current PGA TOUR events, most notably the Shriner’s Children Open for 10 years. Located 15 miles west of The Strip, golfers of all skill levels will enjoy this great desert layout with 6 sets of tees ranging in distance from 4,900 yards to 7,000 yards.
The course has unique fairways that offer wide landing areas and narrow approach shots with undulation from the natural terrain. The course has a decent amount of bunkering off the fairways and around the greens so accuracy is important to scoring well. If you are in the Las Vegas area, make some time to play this course as it is one you can’t miss!
Length: - Back tees: 7016 yards - Front tees: 4869 yards Par: 71 Architect: Bobby Weed, Raymond Floyd, Ed Ault, and Tom Clark Founded: 1996 Course type: Desert style
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Golf Vacation Specialist
Golf Vacation Specialist, I advise clients on golf courses and accommodation options for their golf vacation
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