Desert Pines Golf Course
It’s possible to spend a terrific afternoon at Desert Pines Golf Club and never tee off on the course.
The Club’s outstanding practice facility may be the best of its kind in Las Vegas, and is worth a visit by itself. The lighted, two-tiered, 20,000 square foot climate-controlled driving range features an automated ball delivery system and five target greens modeled after some of the country’s most famous par 3 holes. Specially marked orange balls have prizes written on them, everything from a free round of golf to meals at Duffers Bar and Grill, a popular area dining spot located adjacent to the course. There are two computerized teaching bays, three putting greens and a state of the art instruction center staffed by PGA teaching professionals of The Walters Golf Academy.
Once you’ve picked up a few pointers and corrected your slice, you’re ready to tackle the Desert Pines course, a Pete Dye design inspired by layouts in the eastern and Midwestern United States. Don’t expect swaying palms and other desert vistas here; this course features 4,000 mature pine trees lining narrow fairways, undulating greens and water coming into play on nine of the 18 holes.
You’ll need every club in the bag to post a good score, and while a long drive is always welcome this is a course that rewards accuracy more than distance. Golf magazines have compared Desert Pines to Pinehurst, but without the astronomical green fees. Rates vary by season and by booking time. If you have your travel dates set and make your reservation 45 days or more in advance, you can save 30% on the already reasonable green fees. For locals in particular, it’s one of the best bargains in town.
Desert Pines Golf Course
3415 E. Bonanza Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89101