OK, managed to weather a couple rounds out in Las Vegas this week while I was also attending a trade show for work. First off, it was SO WINDY, with gusts up to 45 mph during my Tuesday round. Made it crazy! So here we go:
Wildhorse Golf Club, Henderson Nevada
Cost-$95 including cart
This is an old school course, and is only about 20 minutes from the rental car counter at McCarran Airport, making it an easy jaunt to get in 18 holes. It's a pretty traditional layout, and comes in at a Par 70 (34-36). The front is much shorter than the back, mostly because you have three par 3's and one par 5 on the front. It will lull you a bit, and the back really gets your attention with some blind shots and a few lay ups due to some water in play. The claim to fame of this course is that it was once owned by Howard Hughes, making it a bit historic and fun.
I would rate it a 7 of 10, and based on convenience to the airport.
Bali Hai Golf Club, Las Vegas
Cost- $200
This course is owned by Walters Golf, which also owns Desert Pines and Royal Links. This course is all man made to resemble a tropical course. I will say it's quite typical for Vegas; tricked up and over priced. What was most maddening was that the greens had been aerated during the week (typical Wlaters Golf), and they did not tell us during the booking. At check in it wasn't mentioned either, and the counter guy was more concerned about us "buying" a fore-caddy ($95 plus tip). I know it sounds cranky to complain about aerated greens, but most reputable facilities notify you at booking and at least offer some type of discount or other amenity for what turns out to be less than optimal conditions.
Again as is typical Vegas, the cart items were double what one would pay at a normal facility, but the guy I was with was on an expense account, so it didn't kill us. But again, it's annoying to overpay for beer and soda's. At the conclusion of our round, we mentioned to the person in the clubhouse that we weredisappointed about the course condition. He was not really concerned and remarked that in order to keep the greens playable they aerate.... quite matter of fact. So we told him we appreciated his "help."
To conclude, I offer this advice... This is now the second time I have had issues with a course from Walters Golf. They are less than reputable and I am swearing their facilities off my "play lists" going forward. They constantly advertise one thing, and if you have any issues, there is not a hint of any "customer is right" mentality. So with this recent experience, I will avoid (and tell others who ask) any and all Walters Golf facilities.