ROYAL LINKS GOLF CLUB (702) 765-0484
Las Vegas Golf Course Review
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. Royal Links is part of the Scottsdale Golf Group - click here for more information.
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. Click here to visit the Royal Links Golf Club website.
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. Click here to visit the Royal Links Golf Club website.
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).
- 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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