Golf Course Review Rio Secco Golf Club Henderson Nevada
Reviewed by: rob1563, Las Vegas
Golf Playing Conditions 8.08 GREAT
Played on Thursday, 11/8, with JohnnyGK, Sixpez, and Kevbig and had a great time on a very breezy and unusually chilly Vegas day. Excellent service from bag drop to finish, friendly staff, drink cart around at least 5 times, and the type of service you expect from a Vegas resort.
Course is in great condition. Lush fairways, non-penal cut down, dormant rough along the fairway. Longer, thicker rough around the greens. Bunkers seem a little heavier from prior visits. Greens were firm and scary fast.
This is the third time I’ve played Rio Secco in the last 6 months and every time I love it more. Easily tops my list of courses in the Vegas Valley and definitely a must play when visiting.
Golf Course Review Angel Park Golf Club MOUNTAIN Las Vegas Nevada
Reviewed by: rob1563, Las Vegas
Golf Playing Conditions 7.00 GREAT
Played Saturday, 11/10, with a tee time just before 11 with John_T and his dad. Paid $45 with OB card and a 15% discount. Teed off a few minutes late on a busy day, felt like it took forever especially waiting on every tee (2 groups deep every hole of the back), but still finished in 4:10. Weird.
Course is in great winter condition. Some tee boxes need to be leveled but all playable. Fairways have fully grown in and lush. Rough (also re-seeded) was about 1-3 inches, depending on the hole. Bunkers are getting new sand and all were pretty fluffy. Greens were firm and as fast as I have seen them.
Another beautiful Vegas day on my home course. Course is very playable and worth a look.
Golf Course Review Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada
Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks
Golf Playing Conditions 7.35 GREAT
Finally got to experience Bali Hai in Las Vegas Thursday with Kevbig, rob1562 and famed02. Super time!
Bali Hai lived up to its image as a high rollers “Vegas” course and then some. What I liked most about Bali Hai was how “Vegas” the place is. It totally personifies it. Its right next to the famous Las Vegas sign, there are constant views of the Mandalay and Luxor hotels, hospitality Vegas style with friendly attractive staff, deluxe fancy clubhouse, fun atmosphere throughout the property, music, great food (get the Hole-In-One breakfast bagel in the morning and the Bali Hai ½ burger in the afternoon) … this is a unique one of a kind experience.
The Review
Regarding the golf course, fun challenging layout with an island tropic theme. Much more demanding than I expected and we played the Silver tees. I could have stepped back to the Gold tees but glad I did not for my first time. No way am I playing the Black tees. Forgiving off the tee but very challenging on approach with lots of big difficult bunkers to deal with. Some forced caries over water on the par 3’s yet many opportunities to go for the par 5’s in two. The par 3’s IMO are the star of the golf course. All of them beautiful with varying lengths. The layout can get repetitive at times with holes featuring the same backdrops and similar design … however they are all great holes so I didn’t mind. Check out the photos I just posted!
As far as conditions its in great shape. Their fairway over-seeding did not go as well as planned on the majority of holes, still good coverage but not as lush as one would expect. But they are addressing it with a deep veriti-cut + extra watering so I anticipate the fairways conditions to improve significantly within a matter a weeks. Greens in great shape with the back nine greens being better than the front nine greens. Mostly smooth, medium speed and holding shots. Rough, oh boy, its nasty difficult around the many greens. Being October the Bermunda rough is still present and a good 4 inches deep in many areas around the greens. Quite a few times my ball was buried and I had to chop it out. Other times I’d hit a good approach just short of the green and it would shut my ball down. As far as the bunkers, well-groomed with quality sand. I found my share of traps for sure. Tee boxes, the Gold and Black tees looked like they were in great shape, but we played what I think 90% of golfers play out there, the Silver tees which were in OK shape. Some with noticeable divot damage and few that need to be leveled. Again Gold and Black tee boxes looked very nice.
Parting Thought
Over the years I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews about Bali Hai and I now know why. If you are someone that could care less about a one of a kind “Vegas” golf experience that no other golf course can replicate, you might be disappointed. My suggestion is everyone should try playing this course at least once although because the uniqueness of the full experience it provides if it’s in your financial means to do so. I really enjoyed it.
Golf Course Review Bali Hai Golf Club Las Vegas Nevada
Reviewed by: famed02, Henderson, NV
Golf Playing Conditions 7.35 GREAT
I was fortunate to be invited to play with Johnny, Kevin and Rob on this awesome course for the first time. Thanks Johnny!
Upon arrival at bag drop, there is the option to valet your car. In tradition with true Las Vegas, I did so, plus I wanted the full experience (lol).
Because of the amazing service, there was very little effort required on my part, other than to play and have fun.
The valet takes your car and clubs and points you to the food hut, where the breakfast burrito looked amazing. I didn’t have one, but Rob did and confirmed that it was good.
Our cart was set up for me and then we were offered a caddy for $40 a person (not sure if all 4 needed to pay). The caddy would help with hole play, putting advice and what I thought would have been totally worth it, ball finding! We passed on the offer, but someday, I would like to try it.
The Review
You know you’re at a really nice track when you hit the ball, it goes off into the dry creek bed and the greens guy goes to get it for you. He ran down, picked it up, cleaned it off and then handed it to me. That was cool.
The course was in good shape. There were some spots that were a little sloshy and clearly were damaged due to over watering, but they were on it and had the locations staked off.
The silver tee box must have been, as Johnny put it,”the favorite one” because it looked to be the most used. Lots of divot holes and it seems like they were having a hard time keeping up with it.
The views were spectacular because of the great design and there is plenty of opportunity for some really good shots. We played early in the morning and because Las Vegas is one of the busiest airports in the world at that time, airplanes were taking off overhead the whole time. After a while you tune them out.
Although I am not as good as most everyone, I found it challenging, but not as much as some others. Rio Secco, for example, was much more challenging in my opinion. That being said, it was a very fun course. There were several holes where you had to “thread the needle” which made it really exciting.
Final Thoughts
As I have always said, “it’s the little things”. Bottom line, you can pretty much play anywhere you want, but its the cool stuff that keep you coming back. Believe me when I say, Bali Hai has this and more.
I felt like there must have been a drink cart girl for each of the nines. I saw them at least every two holes, but no coffee, which was a bummer.
After we were done playing, the cart guys point you to the food hut again and say, “Just let me do all the work, the clubs will be waiting for you at valet.” I took my phone and my wallet and the rest was done for me. The cart was cleaned out and THEY EVEN POLISHED MY SHOES AND PUT THEM IN MY BAG WHEN THEY WERE DONE!!!! Don’t forget to tip though.
Marvelous Monique come by with the “Vegas Tradition” of Jello shots, which totally hit the spot. I then had one of the best cheeseburgers I’ve ever had at a golf course. Outside was the typical beach resort atmosphere with music, people having a good time and enjoying a cocktail.
Bottom line, if you are looking to play and have “The Las Vegas Experience” in a one-stop location, look no more. It is basically on the strip and can’t be any more convenient for out-of-towners.
Golf Course Review Bali hai Golf Club Las Vegas, NV
Reviewed by: rob1563, Las Vegas
I’ll round out the Bali Hai recap from yesterday. Also my 1st time playing and had no idea what to expect, having heard positives and negatives about the course.
Course was in pretty good shape. Some tee boxes on the silver (6100 yards) were crowned, but the farther back ones (6600 and 7000) looked pretty level. Fairways were in good to great, but a handful were verticut and a few were very soggy. Rough is starting to go dormant, and ran from thin and short to deep and nasty. Bunkers were light and fluffy, but they were still pretty wet which made a few a weird clay consistency. Greens were great. Smooth, medium fast, with very little amount of ball marks. I found them very tricky to read as some appeared to break but didn’t, and others broke like it was falling off a cliff when they looked pretty flat. There’s some repetitive holes, but the par 3s (5 of them) are all different lengths.
Service was spectacular. There’s 2 drink carts, 1 for each 9, so it was by at least 3 times each side. The outdoor Tiki style grill is a great alternative for the higher end and formal Cili Restaurant inside. The food was amazing. The breakfast burrito ($9) was the something out of one of those eating challenges, like a 9 pound baby. The signature Bali Hai burger was incredible. Drink prices were lower than expected: $3 soda, $4 Gatorade, $5/$6 beers.
Absolutely loved it. Very fun course with short par 5s and par 4s thrown in with great par 3s. Will definitely be back with some decent resident rate offers. Thanks to JohnnyGK for the invite and Kevin and Ed for the great time.
Golf Course Review Boulder Creek Golf Club Boulder City Nevada
Reviewed by: larryq2001, Brea
Golf Playing Conditions 8.60 GREAT
Participated in a 2 day tournament at Boulder Creek the weekend of 10/13. I play in this tournament every year and so look forward to it. For one, this tournament is a lot of fun and 2, BC is always a fun venue. This year was no exception. Wonderful golf course. Played a practice round on Friday and they gave us the resident rate. Nice guys!
There are 3 nines here and all in in great condition. A desert course with desert bushes and hard pan lining the fairways. Go in there and you can still play your shot unless your ball rolls under a bush. The layout is fairly flat. Some doglegs and some minor elevations but for the most is straight away. All of the fairways have been over seeded so in the fairway, you will have a great lie. The rough is not too thick and is playable. Oddly enough, the rough around the greens was very thick. Dormant Bermuda but still playable. Bunkers were also in great condition.
The greens were not very fast but rolled great. They looked much faster as they were cut pretty low. I have seen them much faster but I am thinking they are still in recovery from aeration.
I love playing here. The weather in October is great. The views of the surrounding hills/mountains are worth a couple of pictures. Great practice area with a huge, grass driving range. They also have a nice bar/restaurant and the food is very tasty. What’s not to like? Already looking forward to next year’s tournament!
GK Rolls out Updated GK Coupon for Club at Sunrise Las Vegas Nevada
It’s back. It’s updated. And it’s only available here at Greenskeeper.Org.
When playing golf in Vegas you have a plethora of high end courses to play. But what if you don’t? Just out of over-seeding, enjoy golf that won’t set you back a few hundred. Try the Club at Sunrise and enjoy some of the best conditions that won’t hurt your pocketbook.
Latest Review
rob1563
Posted: 09/08/18 4:55p
Member Since: Jul 3, 2010
From: Las Vegas
Playing Conditions 6.90 GOOD
Played on Friday, 9/7, with John_T. We were looking for a round while most courses are closed for re-seeding and found plenty open times at Sunrise.
Conditions were excellent tee to green. Relatively flat and damage free tee boxes. Rough was varied from about 1 inch to over 3 in some areas. Bunkers had some of the best sand in the valley and easy to hit out. Fairways were lush, with some wet, soggy areas. The greens! Oh my gawd, the greens. Simply phenomenal. Absolutely no sign of aerating 2 weeks ago. Smooth as glass, very little amount of ball marks, and running medium speed but sped up as the day warmed. Just incredible conditions for the end of summer in Vegas.
Only complaint: they started us on 10, behind a Men’s group scramble when the front 9 looked empty. We caught them in a few holes and slowed to a 2:15ish time. Men’s group only played 9 and we played the front in a casual 1:30.
Here’s the incredible part: we paid $29 local rate, which included $10 credit in the Winterwood Grille. I only wish it wasn’t such a difficult drive for me from the far Northwest. Sunrise is being added to the rotation.
Club at Sunrise Las Vegas Nevada Golf Course GK Coupon
Golf Course Review Aliante Golf Club North Las Vegas, NV
Reviewed by: rob1563, Las Vegas
Golf Playing Conditions 5.37 GOOD
Played on Friday, 10/5, with John_T around 9:15. Paid $38 city resident rate. Paired up with some retired locals, one being a guy who was casino manager at 2 different places I worked because Vegas is a small town. Pace was a bit slow, finishing in 4:45, even with the group ahead dropping out after 9.
Course came out of reseeding in great shape. Full access with a 90 degree rule. Tee boxes a bit shaggy but mostly level. The Bermuda rough is starting to go dormant, with some areas really thick and others a little more manageable. Fairways are spectacular. Full coverage and lush. I had heard the greens were really bad before they closed for maintenance. It shows they put a lot of work into them. Greens were smooth and medium speed, however, #2 and #3 are playing temp greens and #15 has Ground Under Repair (GUR) marked off at the far back. The bunkers have also improved since the last time I played and are more consistent with most Las Vegas courses.
Customer service was good. Drink cart around about 5 times. The grill after the round was small but great food and service.
I really enjoy playing Aliante. While it does play through a boring residential area, the course is fun and no 2 holes are the same (outside of 7 and 12). The houses don’t really come into play but anything rolling into the brush on either side of the fairway or the arroyo crossing a few fairways is lost. Good course to have a great time on.
