FALCON RIDGE GOLF CLUB
Las Vegas Golf Course Review 12/22/04 - Photos updated May, 2006
Falcon Ridge is the latest championship design to open in Mesquite - which is the Two Guys favorite golf
destination in the U. S. The original 9 holes at Falcon Ridge opened in February 2004, and the final nine were
added in September of the same year. On our December visit, we found the course to be in very good condition
for a new course - give it a couple years and people will be talking about this spectacular golf property! Play it
now and you can enjoy a value experience, as rates through 2005 will not surpass $100 (including cart).
Currently the facility features a temporary clubhouse, which includes a pro shop and well as a snack bar/dining
area, that serves hot & cold sandwiches plus all the popular beverages. A practice green was under construction
on our visit, and hitting stations with nets are complimentary to paying guests. In the fall of 2005, plans are to
open a permanent clubhouse with an upscale atmosphere and banquet/outing facilities for up to 200 people. A driving range is also being considered for future plans.
The golf course is spectacular in design and challenging in nature. The front nine presents some pretty golf holes
, and the back nine is simply outstanding golf. A word of caution, there are some complicated, devious par fours
that are short in distance yet tough on the scorecard. Holes nine, eleven and thirteen present blind tee shots off
the tee, with white/black striped barber poles providing good targets on the fairways. Keep in mind that these
poles have nothing to do with yardage, but rather serve to indicate recommended landing areas. Just three sets
of tees are utilized, with the tips measuring 6546 yards, the Silver tees 5976 yards, and the Golds 4821 yards.
With the 18-hole course being open for just a few months on our visit, there were no course/slope ratings
available. On course yardages are provided on cart paths and also on sprinkler heads and color-coded flags
indicate the day's hole locations. Boulders are situated on either side of the fairway in the 150 yard area.
Bunkering is understated but effective, and although water is not often in play - when it is, the environment is spectacular.
The front side is much shorter (3011 yards from the tips compared to 3535 on the back side) and affords golfers
with an opportunity to get off to a good start. Number one is a pretty dogleg right par five that can be reached in
two by long hitters whose tee shots approach the fairway bunkers on the left side. Those hitting short tee shots
will have to arc their second shots over the corner of the mountain on the right side, leaving a reasonable uphill
approach. Number two is a gorgeous par three that plays to a green surrounded by canyon walls. From here the
terrain becomes increasing undulating, with frequently elevated tee boxes directed towards narrow fairways with
mounding, moguls and swales framing the landing zones. Holes 6 and 7 are a good par four/par five
combination that begin from extremely elevated tee areas. Golfers will also be confronted with challenging uphill
tee shots and approaches - especially on number nine as it climbs steadily up a mountain from tee to green.
The back side features even greater elevation changes, beginning with the 462 yard par four 10th. This number
two handicapped hole features a fairway split by a cascading stream that results from a beautifully landscaped
waterfall situated atop the hill. Golfers can choose to cut some distance by risking a tee shot to the left fairway, or
to play it safe with a lay-up to the wide landing zone on the right side. In either case, the approach is quite uphill,
with the water hazard on the right and hillsides to the left squeezing the fairway - a very tough golf hole! The
barber pole on the 11th fairway is situated about 85 yards from the tremendously uphill green complex, and
indicates a good landing area. Twelve is one of the most gorgeous golf holes in the Vegas area - as an elevated
tee area plays to a sculpted fairway flanked by a water hazard short left and another one long right. A fairway
wood that stops just short of the lake will afford good players with an opportunity to carry the hazard and reach
this par five in two. A safer bet is to lay up in the ample landing zone along the left side of the fairway, and
approach the green with a wedge or short iron on the third shot, effectively taking the water hazard out of play.
Keep in mind that the extreme elevation change means added distance off the tee, making the water hazards very reachable.
Thirteen presents another blind tee shot, with the area just right of the directional stake providing the best
location for the downhill approach to a putting complex that is well guarded by a water hazard short and left. On
these four holes (numbers 10-13prior course knowledge can definitely save some strokes. Number 15 is one of
the toughest 14th handicapped holes you will find, as it climbs steeply uphill all the way, with the approach
demanding 2 - 3 clubs more! Holes 16-18 present a good deal of room and provide an opportunity to finish the round strongly.
We found Falcon Ridge to be an incredibly exciting and fun round of golf. Much construction is going on in the
immediate area, and the course does warrant some time to "settle in". However - our advice is to play it now - at
rates that make it one of the best values in the Vegas area. Packages are available through the Oasis,
CasaBlanca and Eureka Casino resorts - which all have pages on our Las Vegas Golf resort section. As these
photos indicate - this is a picturesque golfing experience! For more info, visit our page for Falcon Ridge, with direct link to their website by clicking here
Click here for Golf Mesquite - providing information on Stay & Play packages in Mesquite, Nevada.
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