SILVERSTONE GOLF CLUB
Las Vegas Golf Course Review June, 2002 - Photos updated May, 2006
Silverstone Golf Club is a hidden gem, located about 20 minutes north of the Strip and minutes from Summerlin.
It is one of the few 27-hole layouts in the area, and was designed by famed golf architect Robert Cupp. A $2.5
million desert enhancement project complete with decorative rock, vegetation and split rail fencing was
completed in 2007. At SilverStone, we found one of the best practice facilities in the area. A spacious grass
range with stacks of Titleists compliments a huge putting green and short game area for chipping and bunker
practice. The SilverStone Golf Academy offering individual and group instruction, state of the art swing analysis, and a variety of Golf Programs is also on property.
With a newly built, luxurious clubhouse, SilverStone joins an elite list of golf properties in the Vegas area offering
first class service and amenities. Included in the 34,000 square feet of space are a well stocked pro shop, a
private membership area (with men's & women's lockers, showers and spa), a full service restaurant and lounge
, outdoor patio space, and a beautiful banquet and outing facility which can accommodate up to 400 people.
This is all very upscale - a great place for corporate events and golf tournaments/outings. Green fees are very
reasonable for this area. For the next few years, Silverstone will host the Celebrity's Golf Classic - televised
nationally in March. Famous sports personalities and other well-knowns will partake in this event, which is cosponsored by Caesar's Palace and Silverstone Golf Club.
We were thrilled to review this course, which thrives on excellent service and attention to detail, helping golfers in
any way possible to enjoy their day. An average round takes about 4 hours to play. Having three nines to choose
from makes this all the more possible. A full color ProLink GPS on every cart provides accurate information on
hazards, distance and pin placement. It helps extremely that each tee box has color-coded yardage blocks,
enabling all players to know the exact yardage to the center of the green. Most sprinkler heads are also marked to the center of the green..
Our day began with the Valley Course, which features lush, ample fairways and great views of the Sheep
Mountains. Though surrounded by desert, the Valley provides huge landing areas on most holes with very few
forced carries. It is extremely playable from the Black (3102 yards), Blue(2987) and Red tees (2616). At 3398
yards the tips will challenge the best golfers, beginning with the opening par five, which stretches to 631 yards. It
plays fairly straight and open, with fairway and green-side bunkers on the right. The par 3 second features an
elevated tee shot over water with deep bunkers on the left. There is some bail out room right. The par 4 third
plays straight and open with little trouble along the way. A beautiful mountain background frames the putting
surface on the short par 4 fourth. A deep grass swale 25 yards out warrants your attention here. Next up is a long
par five that narrows all the way to the green. Keep it on the fairway, as the rough to the right is extremely penal.
An accurate approach is necessary for any hopes of par or better on this # 1 handicap. The 6th is a short par
four that plays uphill off the tee. Once again, avoid the rough on either side of the fairway. A shot par three to an
undulating green awaits on number seven. Take 1 club extra as it plays uphill. The eighth is open off the tee, but
narrows on the approach, with desert on both sides of the green. Water hazards off the tee and along the right
side of the green complex makes the closing hole a challenging one. Approach the putting surface from the left,
as the hazard sneaks across the right side of the fairway, and the green is sloped slightly towards the water. Par is a good score here.
We played the Desert nine for our backside. This layout is a bit longer, at 3560 from the tips, 3278 from the
Black, 2987 from the Blue and 2616 from the front tees. Like the Valley Course, the "Desert" features wide
fairways and ample landing areas off the tee. Unlike the Valley, nearly every tee shot demands a carry over
waste or desert area. From the middle and front tees, this is not a problem as most carries are quite short.
Those playing from the tips will have more of a challenge. Rolling mounds are also present on most fairways,
often sloping towards the desert hazards. The first hole is an extreme dogleg right, which is difficult to cut due to
the desert hazard on that side. Avoid the deep bunker in the middle of the fairway 50 yards out. Number two has
plenty of room on the left side of the fairway, and is the easiest hole of the layout. The par three 3rd is lined with
beautiful palms and desert, and plays 1 club uphill. After a mid-range, wide open par four, you are faced with the
number 1 handicap, a par 5 that plays at 627 yards from the Championship tees. There is lots of fairway room all
the way to the green - so those that love to grip it and rip it will enjoy this hole. The short par four 6th is also quite
open, with a reasonable carry over desert off the tee. The prettiest par three of the Desert layout is next. It is quite
tight, with water right and little room for error long left. Any shot that lands on the right side of the green has a
chance of reaching the hazard, as the putting surface is sloped in that direction. A beautiful mountain backdrop
frames the mid-length par four 8th, which features rolling mounds and 8 small fairway bunkers about 70 yards in.
The closing hole is a beautiful par four that leads to the Mediterranean-style clubhouse. A fairly open tee shot is
followed by an approach that flirts with a water hazard to the left. This is the same lake featured in the closing hole on the Valley Course.
A day at Silverstone is well spent. You have ample opportunities to warm up, with the great practice facilities,
and should be able to find many fairways on you tee shots. Accurate iron play will determine how well you score.
Opened for play in late spring of 2001 Silverstone has matured rapidly and will only get better with time...Highly recommended! Click here for more information on Silverstone Golf Club.
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