ROYAL LINKS GOLF CLUB
Review 4/12/04 - photos updated June, 2006
Royal Links Golf Club embraces the Las Vegas area's claim to fame as the "Disneyland of golf", as this layout is
about as unique as one will find in a western setting. Built to honor the game's rich tradition and history, the 18
holes at Royal Links are inspired by famous holes from the rotation of courses featured in the British Open. Each
tee area has a hole diagram plaque accompanied by a "story book" narrative and information on the original
hole from which the inspiration in design and character came. This includes the "Road Hole" from St. Andrews,
the "Postage Stamp" from Royal Troon, and other revered holes from such courses as the Royal Latham, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Royal Liverpool, Turnberry, Prestwick, and Royal Birkdale.
This Ancient theme at Royal Links is in line with a couple other designer courses that are part of the Walters Golf
chain in Vegas - including the South Pacific style Bali Hai and Carolina Pines design at Desert Pines. The
Secretariat at Stallion Mountain Country Club completes a foursome of the Valley's most famous courses. The
castle clubhouse at Royal Links is replete with ancient décor, art, paintings and collectables, and includes a pro
shop stocked with quality merchandise and memorabilia. Stymie's Pub has a cozy, Scottish feel and features
Guinness Stout on tap as well as a variety of beverages and lunch items. Complimentary practice facilities
include range use, as well as putting and chipping greens, and golf cart amenities include a towel, ice chest and ball & club washers.
Monuments and markers are placed throughout the golf course to pay homage to great players and great
moments in golf history. This information is also available in the complimentary yardage/hole diagram booklet
that is useful in many ways. Golfers also have the added option of hiring a caddie - who will take care of your
clubs, locate your ball, and help with yardages as well as provide information on the history of the course.
Surrounded by all this tradition and history, golfers may be forgiven if they let their minds wander a bit. Like golf
experiences at the British Open courses however, The Royal Links will demand your best game to avoid all the
trouble that lurks. Undulating fairways are often bordered by sloping mounds with wild Bermuda rough and
fescue waiting to gobble up shots that stray to far to either side. Land in this stuff and forget about finding your
ball, or hitting out with good results if you do find it. There are no water hazards in this layout, and none are
necessary. Keep it on the fairway, and you still will have to negotiate the sod walled pot bunkers that frequent
many holes from fairway to green. TIP - pay heed to the yardage guide - which includes hole diagrams and
locations of the many bunkers. The red/white 100 yards stakes and black/white 150 yard stakes also serve as
directional tools and indicate landing areas. From the tee areas, many bunkers are not readily visible - but you
must assume that they are there - find them on the yardage guide and plot your shots carefully! There are holes which validate the "grip it and rip it" mentality - but this is not par for the course.
Four sets of tees provide good options for all levels of players. The Royal tees measure 7029 yards with a 135
slope; the Golds play to 6602 yards with a 131 slope, and the Ruby tees (recommended for the average golfer)
weigh in at 5864/ 125 slope. Ladies and seniors/juniors or beginner golfers can enjoy their round from the
forward (Emerald) tees, which measure 5142 with a 115 slope. Ask the ranger about the pin placements before
your round. Generally, the flags are situated in a calculated order of front/middle/back. Check the yardage at
your tee boxes (most have yardage blocks with distance measured to the center of the green) before teeing off.
During our review round in April, we played on putting surfaces that had been aerated just a couple weeks prior.
Despite this, we found these Bermuda greens to roll quick and true. Though not overly undulating, moderate
ridges and slopes on these surfaces often guide the ball to one side of the green or another, so knowledge of pin
placement is important. The greens come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and often present opportunities for
"bump and run" approaches. Miss to either side however, and tricky up and downs from pot bunkers, grass
swales and collection areas make par saves a chore. You will need the full spectrum of a short game, including
low runners, high lobs and quick stopping chips. Being able to control ball flight with the rock located above and
below your feet is also a skill that will also come in handy on the rolling, manicured fairways and near the tricky
green complexes. If the wind is up - the day will get even more interesting. Sound daunting? Well it can be - but
after all this is a game played on a course structured and designed to imitate holes played by our forefathers
under trying conditions. Suck it up and be ready to play your best - and low scores can be had. After all - this is why we get paid the big bucks, right?
Breaking from our tradition of a hole by hole review, below we mention each hole and the traditional course from
which it drew it's inspiration. For more information on the Royal Links - visit our informational page (click here),
which also provides a convenient link into the Walters Golf web site - complete with an online booking service.
- Hole # 1 - 368 yard par 4 Royal Lytham # 10
- Hole # 2 - 372 yard par 4 Royal Troon # 7
- Hole # 3 - 170 yard par 3 Prestwick # 2
- Hole # 4 - 621 yard par 5 Royal Liverpool # 8
- Hole # 5 - 322 yard par 4 St Andrews # 12
- Hole # 6 - 416 yard par 4 Royal Birkdale # 10
- Hole # 7 - 471 yard par 4 Royal St Georges # 13
- Hole # 8 - 152 yard par 3 Royal Troon # 8
- Hole # 9 - 567 yard par 5 Muirfield G C # 5
- Hole #10- 466 yard par 4 St Andrews # 17
- Hole #11- 324 yard par 4 Royal Cinque Port # 6
- Hole #12- 471 yard par 4 Royal Birkdale # 6
- Hole #13- 348 yard par 4 Prestwick # 15
- Hole #14- 193 yard par 3 Turnberry # 15
- Hole #15- 571 yard par 5 Turnberry # 5
- Hole #16- 454 yard par 4 Carnoustie # 15
- Hole #17- 227 yard par 3 Royal Troon # 17
- Hole #18- 515 yard par 5 St Andrews # 14
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