TPC Las Vegas, where the pros play when they’re in Vegas
One of my favorite golf destinations is Las Vegas, it might just be the best all round experience out there for a Golf Aficionado. In addition to, the gambling, entertainment, world class food and lodging, Vegas is home to some amazing golf courses. During our most recent trip to “Sin City”, we had the opportunity to stop in and play TPC Las Vegas, where the pros play when they’re in town. If I had to sum up TPC Las Vegas in just a few words it would be; the golf course is fair but unforgiving. Lucky for me I get paid by the word, so I can go on and on about just how fabulous it is!
TPC Las Vegas describes itself as desert elegance, and I couldn’t agree more. One of the great things about TPC Las Vegas is its proximity to the Las Vegas Strip, it’s only a 20-minute drive down I-95. Even with TPC Las Vegas being located so close to the Vegas Strip you’re going to feel like your hours away. From the time you park and check in at the pro shop, your desert experience will be in full swing. TPC Las Vegas was built for the pros so as you can imagine the practice facilities are first class and will allow you to work on any aspect of your game before the round begins.
TPC Las Vegas Hole # 1, make sure you take enough club to hold the green otherwise the ball might be back at your feet
Hopefully, if you’re reading this article before your first round on TPC Las Vegas, you’ll get off to a better start than I did. The championship golf course is a gem of a par-71, 7,104 yard designed by acclaimed architect Bobby Weed and World Golf Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd. The first hole is what looks to be an ever so easy opening introduction to the golf course, a short Par 4 playing at about 350 yards. After one of my better tee shots, I was inside 100 yards thinking this has potential to be a great scoring day. However, as I hit my second onto the green, I didn’t account for the drastic false front and watched in amazement as my ball picked up more and more speed as it rolled further off the green. When the ball finally came to rest, I found myself about 50 yards out, I might as well had just duffed my second shot. I recovered and managed to walk away with a bogey and the realization I wasn’t playing my local course in Florida.
Onto the second and in my mind, this is the signature hole at TPC Las Vegas. Trust me, you’ll probably remember this one more than any other hole. A beautiful desert island green awaits you on this challenging par 3. You’ll be hitting down onto the green from an elevated tee-box around 165 yards give or take a few. Unfortunately for me, I just couldn’t hit the green, after three tries I moved on to the next hole. I did try looking for my ball which you could play out of the hazard below but chances are you’ll find a dozen balls none of which are your own.
A beautiful desert island green awaits you on this challenging par 3, You’ll be hitting down onto the green from an elevated tee-box around 165 yards give or take a few
By the time I reached the 3rd tee-box at 5 shots over par, I realized this wouldn’t be a score to brag about but the course sure would be. As we made the turn there are a couple holes that stand out. One thing that TPC Las Vegas is known for is the strength of its par 4s, these shine through the most as you reach the 423-yard 13th hole. With a dry riverbed running the entire length of the right side, you’re forced to aim left to avoid “Death Valley” as the hole is aptly named. As I said upfront, the course is fair but unforgiving. If you miss a shot you could find yourself playing off the many rocks in the dry riverbeds that run along so many holes. In fact, one tip when making a trip to TPC Las Vegas is to throw a rock wedge in your bag. Otherwise, you’ll be sure to add a few dings to your clubs.
One of your only shots at revenge on the course will come on the 15th hole. The 15th is the last canyon hole on the course and TPC’s best
par 5 in my opinion. Playing at over 612 yards, the 15th hole has another dry riverbed that runs down the entire right side of the hole, which means you must keep it left. To add some spice the hole also features eight sand bunkers and a grass hazard about 100 yards from the green. What makes the hole a legitimate birdie chance is that it typically plays downwind allowing a good drive the chance to reach the green in two, worse case you’ll have the opportunity to set yourself up for an ideal 3rd shot onto the putting surface.
TPC Las Vegas Couse Rating 4.4 Stars out of 5
One thing you can be sure of the course conditions will always be excellent at TPC Las Vegas. Keep in mind, you’re in the desert and the winds can be severe which can make an already difficult golf course, absolutely punishing. If this is your first trip to Vegas, chances are you’ll experience high winds at least once during your visit, no matter the time of year. Lucky for us the day we played TPC Las Vegas the winds were relatively calm and not much of a factor. Bottom line, there isn’t much to nitpick about in regards to the quality of golf at TPC Las Vegas. You’re going to get the PGA Tour experience and play a fabulous design. Do your best to keep it on the grass and you’ll do OK, and remember to put an old beat up wedge in the bag for the times you miss and end up between a rock and a hard place.