 LEGACY GOLF CLUB (702) 476-0090
Las Vegas Golf Course Review
The Legacy Golf Club in Henderson is an early Arthur Hills design incorporating contoured, sloping fairways and quick undulating greens into a layout that has earned recognition
as one of the top ten courses you can play in Las Vegas. An annual site of U.S. Open Qualifying, this well-bunkered links style layout is spread out over natural desert terrain, and
features some of the most interesting holes in the valley. Characteristically, golfers will find superb conditioning on a track that consistently features spectacular mountain
backdrops and plentiful desert barrancas, as it winds its way through an upscale residential community.
Golfers of all skill levels can enjoy a round here, as four sets of tees provide ample choices in yardage and difficulty. The professional tees measure a whopping 7233 yards with
a 135 slope rating. The champion tee boxes play to 6744/128 slope, and the average golfer will enjoy the resort tees at 6211/118 slope. Forward players will find only 1 par four
that measures over 352 yards from the Players tee boxes - which total 5340 yards. Generous fairways afford ample opportunities to grip it and rip it off most tees, for those
addicted to their drivers.
The clubhouse is a spacious, modern design featuring a pro shop, restaurant and lounge, plus an outdoor patio with wonderful golf course views. An on-property practice facility
includes a range with grass & mat tee areas, plus a short game area that rivals that of many upscale courses in the area. A huge putting green is accompanied by a
chipping/pitching area with sand bunker. Various instructional programs are available. On course players will find yardage markers every 25 yards from 200 in, with 150 yards
posts doubling as directional markers. Red, white and blue flags ascertain front middle and back pin placement. Each tee area also provides measurements to the green's center.
The fairway on the opening hole slopes gently from left to right, inviting a tee shot to the left center. The elevated putting complex is protected by bunkers and grassy swales.
Number two plays slightly uphill over a desert barranca, with ample bail out room short left. This is a tough par three from the tips, especially if the wind is up. Avoid the large sand
waste area to the left on three, and this # 1 handicap hole becomes much more reasonable. At 473 yards, this is the longest four par on the course. Long hitters will delight in the
fact that the hole number four slopes downhill past the 150 yards marker. Catch it solid off the tee and the approach is a simple one. A tee shot aimed over the left edge of the
fairway bunker may also catch a good downhill roll on the par 5 fifth, which can be reached in two. A key to scoring well on the Legacy is to post low numbers on the par fives, three
of which should present great birdie opportunities. A typical Legacy par three follows - over a barranca with ample bail out room in grass collection areas, this time to the left of the
putting surface. Number seven doglegs to the right past the 150, with a tight approach playing to an raised green. An elevated tee area awaits on 8, with a pond short right of the
green creating one of the round's tightest approaches. There is plenty of room on the simple par five ninth, which presents one of the best scoring opportunities of the day. There
is a nice rhythm to the front nine, with the tough holes interspersed amongst the more score-able ones.
The back side begins with the # 18 handicap, a mid range par three with desert area short right. This holes has long been famous in Vegas for its tee boxes, which are shaped in
the forms influenced appropriately enough, by a deck of cards - a diamond, spade, club and heart. The 11th demands a short carry off the tee, but a generous fairway leads to a
simple approach. A tee shot aimed just left of the line of palms deep of the fairway will cut off some distance, and make the dogleg left, par four 12th a great scoring hole. Be sure
to land on the correct portion of the double tiered putting surface. The 13th is short but tight, with desert areas on both sides of a narrow fairway. There is more room to the right
than appears off the tee, but a lay up towards the electric pole in front of the fairway mounding will leave a simple wedge/short iron approach. This set of holes - 11 through 13,
completes what is called the "Devils Triangle". Grip it and rip it off the tee on 14, as there is plenty of room on this generous fairway. A long bunker guards the entrance to the
green, creating a demanding wedge approach which must land softly to hold the shallow putting area. At 594 yards, this is the course's longest hole. Mounding, swales and
bunkers can wreak havoc on the long par three 15th, which plays to 229 yards from the tips. This precedes a par four over a desert area, which invites a tee shot shaped right to
left to cut some distance. The 17th is open off the tee but narrows past the fairway bunkers, with water along the left coming into play from 125 yards in. There is a bit of room for
error to the right of the green, but this is one of the most challenging iron shots of the day. The par four finishing hole plays straight away and slightly uphill, with bunkers on either
side creating another demanding approach. Though shorter than the front, the back nine is a bit more demanding, with tighter fairways and more challenging green complexes.
Our round at the Legacy in early April was incredibly enjoyable. The conditioning from tee to green was excellent, and the surrounding views and varied design made the day quite
interesting. This is an experience we highly recommend. Come out early and enjoy the complimentary practice facilities - this is a great place to warm up, and to work on all
aspects of your game. Afterwards, the lounge or patio are great places to enjoy a lunch or beverage. Nice place, great people - and reasonably priced with various memberships
and specials available. For more info, click here to visit our informational page on the Legacy.
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