Badlands Golf Club
Las Vegas Golf Course Review -05-08-02 -
The Badlands Golf Club epitomizes Las Vegas area golf. Nothing comes easy in this town. You win some and
you lose some. Your psyche will be challenged somewhere along the way, if you at take yourself seriously at all.
But win or lose, you will come away with memorable experiences. The Badlands is one truly memorable golfing
experience. This is target golf in the truest sense. Your shot-making ability will be thoroughly challenged - both by
the layout that features abundant carries over beautiful desert canyons, ravines and washes, and by the wind, which is usually a factor to be reckoned when playing this game anywhere in the Vegas Valley.
The amenities at the Badlands are top notch, with a beautiful clubhouse with full service pro shop, lounge and
restaurant, and complete banquet facilities. The surrounding desert vistas, featuring views of the Strip in the
distance, are spectacular. There is a practice green and expansive grass range for guests. A Nike Golf School
and Ken Venturi Golf Academy are also on property. The conditions from tee to green, when we visited in early
June, were outstanding. The grass on the tee boxes, fairways and greens was especially soft and obviously well
watered. We found the service left nothing to be desired. The starter and rangers were extremely helpful,
providing info and tips about the course. Badlands has GPS on all carts, providing accurate info for every shot.
Pin placements are indicated by color coded flags, though this info is also provided for through the GPS. There
are three nines to choose from here, with the Desperado and Diablo involved in the usual 18-hole routing. Both
of these nines are target golf - with demanding tee shots and approaches on nearly every hole. The Outlaw is a
bit more open - and a great starter nine for those playing all 27 holes. We began our day on the Outlaw, crossed
over to the Desperado, and did not quite have enough time to finish the Diablo, though a few pictures are featured at the end of this review.
The holes on the Outlaw Course are numbered 19 - 27 on the scorecard, though we will refer to them as holes 1 -
9 here. The opening hole is forgiving off the tee, with an uphill approach to a well-conditioned putting surface.
The 2nd is a pretty par three with a tight green complex. There are bunkers right and little room left for error. The
short par four third is quite open, except for 2 fairway bunkers left and 3 on the right. The approach is slightly
uphill here. These three holes complete the easiest segment you will find at the Badlands. The fourth doglegs to
the left, with a formidable water hazard on the right. Aim just left of the 150 stake and you will have an open
approach. The next par four is extremely short (290 from the tips), but water right will discourage big hitters from
going for the green off the tee. It is important to be on the correct potion of this undulating green. The 6th is a
downhill, dogleg left par five, that can be reached in two if you cut off a little distance off the tee. The carry is
longer than it seems over the desert left, so be careful here. A formidable water hazard is visible on the right, but
there is also a pond left and another one just past the green. Number seven is open until about 170 yards away,
then narrows for a demanding approach. The par three eighth is long from the tips and blues but very reasonable
from the white tees. It plays downhill and usually with the prevailing wind. You will finish the Outlaw with the
toughest hole of the layout. Nine plays downhill off the tee, snaking past a large pond on the left that runs all the way to the green from 140 out. Par is a great score coming in.
Desperado begins with an uphill tee shot off the first tee. It bends to the right, but the desert on that side
encourages an approach from the left side of the fairway. The second is an extremely tough dogleg right, that
plays uphill into the prevailing wind. It is not overly long as a par five, but demands a strong tee shot hit left of the
desert, and two accurate fairway shots. Only long hitters will be able to cut some distance off, as the fairway
slopes towards the desert hazard on the right. The short par 4 third is a beauty. Be left of the 150 yard stake and
watch for the water hazard about 140 out here. Number four is open off the tee, though fairway bunkers on both
sides of the fairway and a desert wash 125 out provide a challenge. After an easy par three on 5, you are
confronted with the number 2 handicap of the Desperado layout. Aim for the 150 (which provides a great target
on most holes of all three nines), and be conscious of the desert wash to the left, and another just in front of the
green complex that is accentuated with mounding. Lay up past the 150 on seven, and on the right side of the
fairway for the best approach, which is all carry over a desert ravine. The eighth is a short par three, with which
demands another carry over a ravine. Long is better on this picturesque hole, as there is room left and past the
putting surface. The finishing hole provides a great deal of challenge. This 541 yard par five is tight off the tee,
and on the second shot, which will set you up for an extremely interesting approach. The gorge that fronts the
green is amongst the deepest on the course - and demands a high, soft shot to hold the green. Long is better
here. We found the Desperado to be the most fascinating of the trio. Forced carries over desert canyons,
ravines and washes make it difficult for the beginning golfer - particularly in the closing stretch, but the beauty and
natural vistas are worth the price of admission, and help massage frustrated egos. Post card and calendar cover holes abound!
Darkness set in as we ventured onto the Diablo, which features some of the prettiest and most challenging holes
at the Badlands. This is the longest of the three nines, with 2 of the par fours playing at over 470 yards from the
tips. The fairways are quite generous, but the approaches demand accuracy and length. The initial holes play
into the prevailing wind, but you can enjoy the advantage of extra length on the finishing holes. There are some spectacular holes on this nine, as these photos attest:
Annually recognized as one of the top courses in the Vegas Valley, Badlands is aptly named. You will need your
sharp shooter here. "Banditos" appear in the form of rock outcroppings and canyon walls set to devour any shots
not hit with precise accuracy. Talented and mid-handicap golfers will enjoy the challenge. Novices will be struck
by the views and majesty of the layout. You don't have top be macho here... play the tips on the Outlaw if you like
(3239 yards), but do not be afraid to move up a tee or two if playing the Desperado/Diablo - especially when the
wind is up. Short and mid irons are much more manageable on the demanding approaches you will face. Golf is
meant to be enjoyed. Just "keep it together, keep it together, keep it together!" This is a gorgeous course - but
definitely a target layout. Enjoy it for what it is. If you score well here - it just might be the confidence builder you
need to get on a streak. If your tally exceeds your handicap, don't fret - you are in good company. In any case, a visit to the Badlands is highly recommended on any Vegas golf vacation.
View the Two Guys Who Golf Detailed Listing Page for this course with a link to its website (if available): click here
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