CATEGORIES
- Latest News
- Interviews
- Golf Travel
- Features
- Juniors
- Competition
- Events
- Health
- Equipment
- Fashion
- Archive
INFORMATION
CURRENT ISSUE
SUBSCRIPTIONS
CATEGORIES
INFORMATION
CURRENT ISSUE
SUBSCRIPTIONS
.jpg)
Photo: Courtesy of Cascata
By Roxanne Andrews
Las Vegas is a major contender to become the greatest sporting city in the world. Huge stadiums, buzzing energy and a favourite destination for dedicated fans. It’s built on spectacle and thrives on entertaining visitors and for golfers, it’s a dream come true with multiple elite courses that wind through desert canyons and mountain foothills. Dramatic, yes. Challenging, well, it’s not, not a test. From sculpted fairways humming with a surprising amount of unique wildlife, mixed with the ultra‑polished resort courses, Vegas is one of the most alluring golf drawcards in the U.S.
Whether you’re here for a girls’ trip, a couples’ escape, or a solo golf‑and‑spa recharge, the Strip is your launchpad to some of the most dramatic layouts in the Southwest.
So, without further ado, here is your curated guide to the best of Vegas golf, the courses worth your time, the dining worth dressing up for, the music worth planning around and the lifestyle that proves Vegas knows how to celebrate.
Photo:
Courtesy of Wynn Golf Club
Designed by Tom Fazio, Wynn is the only course on the Strip — an 18‑hole, private‑feeling par 70 shaped by six par 3s and a compact, walk‑from‑your‑room layout. Access is limited to Wynn and Encore guests, and the hotel subtly pays homage to the old Desert Inn with archival photographs and nods to its celebrity‑golf legacy. A mandatory caddie is included with every round, keeping the experience seamless and premium. It’s perfect for women travelling in groups who want luxury without logistics; you can literally walk from your hotel room to the first tee.
Photo: Courtesy of Shadow Creek
Another Tom Fazio masterpiece, Shadow Creek is the unicorn, limo pick‑ups, dedicated caddie, and arguably the most exclusive tee time in America. Tee times are extremely limited, so book well in advance. The course itself is a theatrical, tree‑lined oasis carved out of flat desert. If you’re going to splurge once (no lie, it is expensive to play here), this is the “tell‑your‑friends‑forever” round.
Photos: (Left) Serket Golf Club by Billy Richards, (Right) Serket Golf Club by Scott Powers
Built by Rees Jones, Serket threads through desert canyons with big elevation changes (some holes really test me, but the risk-reward shots were worth it) and Strip views from the high points. It’s home to the Butch Harmon School of Golf, making it a smart pick if you want to mix a lesson with your round. Generally easy to book and great for mixed‑ability groups, Serket delivers classic Vegas desert golf without the premium price tag. I loved their ‘rally packs’ already provided in the cart, which included some lollies, tees, ibuprofen and hydration sachets. It is clear that they have anticipated that players may have partied hard the night before. Very smart, very Nevada. Nice touch.
Photo: Courtesy of Boulder Creek
A great value option with three nines, Desert Hawk, Coyote Run and Eldorado Valley, offering wide fairways, mountain backdrops and a
friendly, playable layout. Perfect for women’s groups wanting 27 holes without pressure. Easy to book, forgiving off the tee and a really
fun setup. The relaxed, unfussy vibe is a genuine part of its appeal and the pro shop has some great gear on offer, too.
.jpg)
Photo: Courtesy of TPC Las Vegas
A former PGA TOUR host course, TPC Las Vegas delivers that polished, big‑stage feel without being intimidating. Player reviews consistently
highlight fast, true greens, immaculately maintained fairways and a layout that rewards confidence while still being very playable from the
forward tees. It’s the kind of round that lets you feel like you’re stepping inside the ropes without the pressure.
There are two courses here: TPC Las Vegas, which is public, and TPC Summerlin, which is private. Both have strong reputations, but TPC Las Vegas is the one with the PGA TOUR pedigree,
Photo: Courtesy of Paiute Golf Resort
Home to three Courses, Wolf, Sun and Snow and known for its Pete Dye designs and big‑sky views, Paiute delivers a pure desert golf experience. GolfPass ranks it #1 in Nevada, with reviews consistently highlighting fast greens, well‑maintained fairways and excellent value. Wolf is widely regarded as the most challenging, with its island‑green 15th (pictured) easily the resort’s most photographed hole. Sun Mountain is the most player‑friendly, and Snow Mountain remains a favourite among regulars.
.png)
Photo: Cascata Golf Club courtesy of Billy Richards
Do not miss this Rees Jones showpiece. Cascata is high‑drama golf in the purest sense: a waterfall runs through the clubhouse (yes, really) and the course winds through steep rock canyons. Varying elevation changes invite genuine hero shots, so grip it and hit it. The service is elite, the setting cinematic and almost every hole feels like a photo opp. The standout is the 14th, a downhill par‑4 framed by water and canyon walls. All in all, this is one of the best luxury desert golf experiences in the state.
Photo:
Courtesy of Wolf Creek
Cliff‑top tees, plunging fairways and red‑rock canyons that look like a video game come to life, Wolf Creek truly is bucket list golf. Set in Mesquite, a small town near the Arizona border, about 90 minutes from Las Vegas. For the adventurous traveller, it’s an easy full‑day trip from Vegas: drive up in the morning, play Wolf Creek, then swing through Valley of Fire for golden‑hour on the way back.
-(1).png)
Photo: Courtesty of Bali Hai Golf Club
Back to the Strip. Palm trees, white sand, water features and jets overhead, Bali Hai is Vegas in golf form. Mostly flat, plenty of open fairways and extremely convenient, it’s perfect for groups wanting a fun, social round.
Photo: Bourbon Steak courtesy of the Four Seasons
Aside from being a sporting mecca, Vegas really shines when it comes to excellent food. You’ll find big‑name chef venues, Gordon Ramsay, Guy Fieri, Wolfgang Puck, Martha Stewart and Bobby Flay among them — all worth a visit. The city also delivers sophisticated, Michelin‑starred dining and some of the best Japanese spots in the country, including Nobu, Mizumi and Kusa Nori.
Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak is where you go for a refined steak night. The wood‑fired cuts are the headline act, but the menu also shines with the indulgent Maine Lobster Pot Pie and service that feels like a deep exhale after a day on the course. Tucked inside the Four Seasons, it’s ideal for a celebratory dinner, though the bar alone is worth settling into.
A classic French bistro overlooking the Strip, Mon Ami Gabi delivers the best steak frites, a top-tier Caesar salad and a notably tasty duck confit. Dine alfresco on the stylish terrace, or inside for moody Paris chic vibes. It’s one of the best people‑watching spots in Vegas. Perfect for a long lunch or relaxed dinner after 18 holes.
This is my pick for a fabulous pre‑golf breakfast. Sadelle’s is famed for its omelettes and pastries, the coffee is superb, and the
fresh‑pressed juices (I’ll take a Bloody Mary, please) are excellent. The garden‑view dining room has a see‑and‑be‑seen energy. It’s a great
spot to evoke a lasting ‘foodie friends’ core memory.
Artist line‑ups are current as of mid‑2026. Always check venues before booking.
Vegas is a year‑round music hub! Plan a golf trip around a concert, or a concert around a golf trip.
Photo: Courtesy of Allegiant Stadium
Las Vegas has evolved into one of the world’s most dynamic sporting cities, with major‑league teams, blockbuster events and year‑round action. The Raiders, Golden Knights and the Aces anchor the scene, while F1, UFC, boxing and both LPGA and PGA TOUR events draw global crowds. A new MLB ballpark is already under construction on the Strip and the NBA is widely expected to arrive in Vegas in the coming years.
Las Vegas is easier to reach than ever for Australian golfers, with multiple one‑stop options (Qantas, Virgin, United and Air New Zealand) through the U.S. West Coast or via Auckland.
Qantas will launch its first-ever direct Sydney - Las Vegas flights starting in December 2026. This is a seasonal service.
You’ll land at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), just 10–15 minutes from the Strip and 20–25 minutes from most golf courses.
For private transfers, two reliable companies are:
Both offer airport pick‑ups, hotel transfers and full transportation to all major Las Vegas golf courses, making them ideal if you’re travelling with clubs or coordinating a group itinerary.
.jpg)
