The oldest course in the valley, Clark County's Las Vegas Golf Club (est. 1938) presents the quintessential player-friendly golf experience, but with something new: $5 million in recent improvements, including a new clubhouse and course upgrades. Several mature cottonwood and pine trees stand sparsely along the virtually bunkerless fairways. Thirty greenside bunkers add a degree of challenge, but the greens also are pretty accessible, with generally slight degrees of undulation. This is a perfect course for a relaxing, forgiving round.
The first three holes offer a great chance to come out scoring. The first is a drivable, 311-yard par 4 with three bunkers long and right of the green. The second hole is the longest on the course: a 503-yard, slight dogleg-left par 5. Some trees guard the turn, but the fairway is wide while the green is guarded by a single bunker left. The third hole, a 98-yard par 3 is the course's shortest, but it demands a solid wedge shot. The kidney-shaped green is fronted by a pond and backed by four bunkers.
Four short par 5's -- between 458 and 503 yards -- give everyone a chance to score. The 458-yard ninth hole plays to a narrow green well bunkered in front, but a big drive can set up a realistic eagle chance. The dogleg-left, 461-yard, par-5 13th plays to a broad fairway and then to a green sandwiched between bunkers. The 460-yard, par-5 15th plays straightaway to an unprotected green.
Six par 4's play less than 380 yards, and three more than 400 yards. The longest, and No. 1 handicap hole, is the 438-yard, dogleg-left eighth hole. A few pine trees stand along the fairway, which is otherwise naked and inviting, as is the bunkerless green.
Two other par 3's will keep players honest. The sixth hole plays 189 yards, with two large bunkers in front. No. 17 plays 211 yards, with two prominent front bunkers guarding the smallish green. Las Vegas Golf Club can't be beat for its fair prices, friendly atmosphere and relaxing golf.
