Andrew Benner
On my first day, after hitting it on a $49 golf course (played like a course worth three times that amount), I hit the casino. You know, when you’re in Rome. (I wasn’t in Rome. I was in Nevada.)
Quick quiz: When I walked through the casino’s front door, I was greeted by a) an almost impenetrable wall of cigarette smoke; b) suspenseful rows of Wonder Woman-themed penny slots and $2 blackjack tables; c) a group of gray-haired couples riding in wheelchairs equipped with oxygen tanks; or d) all of the above. Here’s a little hint: There’s a very good chance that D.
If you’re a regular in Las Vegas, you’ve probably noticed – regardless of whether you’ve filed for personal bankruptcy or not – that things there have gotten a lot more expensive lately. Ten dollar blackjack tables and $20 blackjack tables are the norm. Show tickets are exorbitant. Why, you can’t even find a ridiculous buffet for under $30. And golf, well, you have to sell a kidney or a kid to afford it. A whopping $1,000 for Shadow Creek? That’s a lot of dishwashing. Or a great round at the roulette table.
get into golf on the state’s well-worn outer edges; Barren, windswept Nevada frontier towns, where grandfather-approved golf courses and gambling are the bread and water of existence. In fact, this is Vegas, as it used to be.
Laughlin and Mesquite are definitely two of these “wrong” outposts that come to mind. These are places where the glitz and glamour–and the high costs associated with mundane activity (including golf)–have not yet caught on.
Other cities in lower Nevada are, more or less, cut from the same cloth. Examples include West Wendover, Jackpot and Primm.
However, on my recent visit to the state, I stuck to Laughlin and Mesquite. For one main reason: It’s warm(ish) in the winter. And I certainly found the main thing I was looking for: an excellent, value-friendly Golf.
Located low in the valley and near the banks of the mighty Colorado River, the Mojave Resort Golf Club is one of the best golf values I’ve come across. For $49 (after 2 p.m., the price also includes the cart and driving range), you can play an excellent Brian Curley-designed golf course that, despite the relatively flat terrain, is solid from start to finish. It’s true that the facilities here aren’t top-notch (the gravel car park and clubhouse are a little dated and small), but where it matters most – course quality – the Mojave delivers. You’ll find plenty of bold fueling and creatively outlined green pools, Curley’s trademarks, in the layout. Water also plays a role in half the holes.
If you like your golf game with more bells and whistles, Laughlin Ranch Golf Club is the ticket. This is, without a doubt, the first course in the area. (It’s actually located in Bullhead City, Ariz., about 10 minutes from the casino strip in Laughlin.)
In terms of hype for your efforts, Laughlin Ranch also delivers. The course, designed by relatively unknown architect David Drozeski, meanders through an upscale residential area. However, the super-wide fairways (you can expect some wind here), great elevation changes, deep aroyons, breathtaking views, and the ultimate thrill make this a top-notch experience. The best part? In high season (early spring) it goes up to $128 (including cart) and after 3pm it drops to $68. In other words, I’ve played $250 golf courses that weren’t half as good as Laughlin Ranch.
If Wonder Woman keeps cashing dimes like there’s no tomorrow and you need to extend your stay in Laughlin, you can also play El Rio, a high-quality Matt Dye creation that’s also located near the Colorado River in the Mojave Valley. At $65 (morning) and $49 (afternoon), this should also leave you with plenty of pennies to pour into the slots.
Although Mesquite isn’t home to an old-school casino “bar” like Laughlin’s, rest assured, there are plenty of places to feed hungry superheroes, if you know what I mean. (There are three large casino hotels in Mesquite. I stayed at the Casablanca, the largest of the three.)
And when it comes to playing golf, Mesquite scores big. In fact, when you consider that there are eight high-quality courses in Mesquite–all within 15 minutes of each other–it can be argued that this is the best golf destination in Nevada.
In terms of pricing, the best deal I’ve come across so far has been the $99 Stay-and-Play package at Amazon.com Casablanca. Other courses range from $125 to $330 (Wolf Creek) during high season, which is April and May. Prices drop dramatically during the summer.
Undoubtedly, most visitors will say so wolf creek He is the ace of spades in mesquite. However, there is a faction—and I am in it—that finds these wild valley lands a little stressed. Driving a car is amazing. And the twist holes come fast and furious to my liking. However, it cannot be denied, this is a unique design. It should definitely be on your list.
Personally, I consider the Conestoga, the quieter “Badlands” course, a fairer test. Designed by Gary Panks and guided through the dramatic terrain found in the Sun City development, Conestoga exudes a seamless, contemporary and upscale vibe. Right from the start, the design makes use of rocky outcrops, water-soaked arroyos and the raw and stunning beauty of the desert.
Although the residential side Falcon Ridge Not only is it a virtue, it’s also a thrilling experience with massive drops in elevation and a number of mid-tire holes traversing along a wheelchair. In terms of views and diversity, Falcon Ridge is definitely another one you don’t want to miss.
36 holes Oasis Golf Club And the Cal Olson-designed CasaBlanca Golf Club, which hosts the Nevada Open every year, are also worthwhile places to play. And of course, if you’re looking for “Las Vegas as it used to be” prices, Casablanca and The Palms are where you’ll want to book. Only $99 for room and tour in high season? That can’t be beat.
If you’re into Mesquite for the long haul, you can also head 40 minutes down the road to St. George, Utah, where you’ll find another selection of great courses. The only issue there? Because of state laws, Wonder Woman has yet to fly her invisible plane to those parts.
Andrew Penner is a freelance writer and photographer based in Calgary, Alberta. You can follow him on Instagram at @employee