Desert Pines Golf Club
Las Vegas Golf Course Review - 6/14/02 -
ANNOUNCING - as of fall 2007, Desert Pines has undergone a major renovation - including 18 brand new greens,
with bent grass putting surfaces plus a host of other aesthetic enhancements. BEST RATE guarantee at Desert Pines is available by clicking on www.waltersgolf.com/bestrates or by calling 888-397-2499. Desert Pines - The "Pinehurst" of Vegas, is conveniently located just 5 miles from downtown and 9 miles from the strip
Desert Pines is a Pete Dye design, and one of four golf courses in Las Vegas that is owned and operated by
Walters Golf. The others include Bali Hai, Royal Links and Stallion Mountain Country Club. Desert Pines is
unique to the area, as it is lined with thousands of mature pines and accented with thatched pine needles,
colorful flower beds and four sparkling lakes, that bring water into play on 9 of the holes. It is a classical tight layout, and is very challenging from the tips and middle tees.
The state of the art practice facility at Desert Pines is amongst the best in the valley, with a double-tiered
automated driving range and two practice greens. You will not have to touch a ball as you warm up for your round
- just pick and station and slide your range card through the machine. Balls appear from the tees that pop out of
ground after each shot. The climate-controlled facility covers 20,000 square feet. The gorgeous clubhouse
features a full line pro shop, with complete banquet facilities, first class amenities and spacious lounge.
Breakfast and lunch are served daily in the dining area, with wonderful views of the course and the Las Vegas Strip in the distance.
The golf course, though a classic layout, can also be considered as "target golf". There are many narrow fairways
, bound by rolling mounds and "desert pines". From the tips, tee shots look intimidating. The desert areas are well cleaned out however, and adjacent fairways often allow for effective recoveries.
The approaches are often tight, to medium sized, undulating greens surrounded by mounds and bordered by
strategically placed bunkers. 150 yards stakes are visible and should be considered as targets off the tee, and
there are also scattered marked sprinkler heads. For the shorter par fours, 100 yard (red and white) stakes
replace to black and white 150 markers.Pay attention to the pin placement info, provided on each cart, as
landing on the correct portion of these sloping greens will noticeably affect your ability to score well. A players
guide with hole yardages and diagrams is also available for a nominal fee. Ball and club washers are standard on every cart.
The first hole is a short par four that plays to a straight, narrow fairway, with a considerably undulating green. This
is a fair opener. Number two plays is a par three with a lot of room, but with mounding on all sides of the sloping
green. A sand waste area on the left needs to be avoided off the tee on 3. Mounds on the right side will funnel
balls back to the fairway. There is water right that may affect the second and third shots on this pretty par five.
The fourth is aptly named the narrows, as it is bordered by pines on both sides with fairway bunkers about 100
yards out. There is also a water hazard that will affect shots hit short right off the tee. Water also comes into play
on #5, as the lake extends nearly all the way to the green. The approach must carry a deep depression that fronts
the putting surface. Six is extremely tight, with an undulating fairway and mounds all around the green.
"Sidewinder" (number 7)is also tight. There is a water hazard that comes into play about 80 yards short of the
green and also runs behind it on the right side. Bunkers left and deep of the green make this a very challenging
hole. The par three 8th has another water hazard right, and is followed by the number one handicap on the
course. The closing hole on the front has water right and OB left off the tee, with a very challenging approach that
bends to the right. More water on the right side near the green will convince most golfers to lay up and play for
the green on their third shot on this long par four that plays from 403 (front tees) to 467 from the tips.
The back opens fairly with a tight mid-length par four with a very undulating green providing most of the challenge
. Eleven is the easiest hole on the course, and is the frequent home to the Desert Pines "Beat the Pro" challenge.
You can wager up to $100 as you try to land your tee shot closer to the pin than the head pro. Win and you
double your bet (in the form of a Desert Pines gift certificate); lose and you still get a certificate worth the price of
your bet. The 12th is a slight dogleg left with mounds and bunkering all along the fairway and near the green.
Mounds in the fairway and a very narrow undulating green make par a good score on the 551 yards par five 13th.
This is followed by one of the easiest par fours of the layout. Avoid the fairway bunkers and you stand a chance
for a good birdie opportunity on 14.. The fifteenth also plays quite short. Another lay up towards the 100-yard
marker is a good idea here. The green is double-tiered so pay close attention to the pin placement.
After a simple par three, you will be confronted with "City Hall". This long par four is tight off the tee but opens up
near the 150, with a downhill approach. The finishing is a pretty one. The "Gauntlet" doglegs to the left, with water
on that side coming into play all the way to the green. This hazard makes the approach one of the most difficult on the course.
Desert Pines certainly provides a different look, compared to most of the other layouts in the Vegas Valley. With
the exception of the surrounding desert mountains and views of the strip, you will feel like you are golfing in North
Carolina. It was in wonderful condition when we played in early June. Along with Bali Hai and Royal Links, tee
times at Desert Pines are completely open to the public. Come out early and use their state of the art practice facility. A sandwich or beverage in their comfortable lounge is also recommended.
The Two Guys Who Golf visited and reviewed this course on the date posted above - and found the course to be
in extremely good condition! However, since that time, we have be informed by clients that course conditions
have become inconsistent. Please call the pro shop and inquire about course conditioning prior to your visit.
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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