Write an article about the top 17 best golf courses in Nevada. From desert oases to coastal gems, this list includes some of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the state. With golfers of all levels in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our favorites from around Nevada that offer a unique experience for anyone looking for a great game in 2023. Explore each course’s design, terrain, amenities and more to find out which one is right for you!
Shadow Creek Golf Course
Shadow Creek is a top-rated public-access golf course located in Nevada. Designed by the renowned architect Tom Fazio, Shadow Creek boasts of 18 holes spread across 7560 yards with a slope rating of 145. The course terrain is nestled amongst rolling hills, canyons, and a flat desert floor north of Las Vegas. The lush fairways are dotted with pines and large trees that provide a serene environment for golf enthusiasts.
Since being ranked Number 1 in the Best in State list since 1991, Shadow Creek has established itself as a classic monument to golf course design. This has been recognized by its inclusion in Golf Digest’s list of 100 Greatest courses since 1993. The course design presents a number of challenges for golf players at the highest level, with the signature 17th hole proving particularly difficult. This hole has an immense green that is three times wider than its depth, making it a picturesque but exceedingly tough shot in golf. The Clubhouse and other facilities received high praise, coinciding with a first-class staff to make for an all-around amazing Shadow Creek experience.
Location: 3 Shadow Creek Dr, North Las Vegas, NV 89081
Cascata Golf Club
Cascata Golf Club, located just 30 minutes from the Las Vegas strip, is a nationally-ranked golf property by Golf Digest, Golfweek, and Golf Magazine. This exquisite golf course climbs up and down a steep, rocky mountain hillside southeast of Las Vegas. It is planted with date palms, ironwoods, and willows, with holes that are all surrounded by desert rock and desert wildlife.
The 18-hole golf course, designed by Rees Jones, plays mostly uphill on the front and downhill on the longer back nine. It features five separate creeks and waterfalls, and four ponds. Players can enjoy a par 72 course, lush fairways accented by lakes, streams, and wildlife such as bighorn sheep. In addition to the picturesque setting of the course, Cascata Golf Club offers affordable and excellent design, with tour-caliber caddies and world-class practice facilities. Visitors to this golf club can even see a waterfall in the clubhouse, with other wonderful amenities.
Location: 1 Cascata Dr, Boulder City, NV 89005
Clear Creek Tahoe Golf Course
Clear Creek Tahoe is considered one of the top golf courses in the state, having attained the second position in rankings between 2015 and 2024. The course comprises 18 holes that are each one-of-a-kind, making the golfing experience truly memorable. The layout of the course has been crafted to incorporate a wide range of tee and target options, with short game areas featuring plenty of contours.
The course is built on abrupt terrain, which adds to the challenge of playing golf here. However, it is designed to be fair, providing golfers with an exciting and rewarding experience. The routing of the holes takes players from the highest point to the lowest point, ensuring that there are plenty of surprises for those playing. The 510-yard 3rd hole and 9th hole with a dogleg left around a massive rock pile are just some of the memorable challenges that players must contend with. The course is situated in an elevated evergreen forest, with stunning vistas of the Sierra Nevadas and distant valleys, making it an awe-inspiring place to play golf.
Location: 3745 Golf Club Dr, Carson City, NV 89705
Montreux Golf & Country Club
Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and surrounded by natural beauty, Montreux Golf & Country Club offers an exceptional golfing experience. The 18-hole, 72-par course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, boasts long, narrow fairways lined with trees, strategically placed bunkers, and dramatic elevation changes. Bentgrass covers the fairways, tees, and greens, while fescue and bluegrass comprise the rough areas. The signature “Bear Trap,” with its dogleg 4th hole and pond-protected green at the 7th, provides a challenge to golfers of all levels.
Montreux Golf & Country Club also offers luxury custom homes in a private gated community nestled among towering pines and the snow-capped mountains in the sky. With a commitment to excellence and attention to detail, Montreux is the perfect place to relax, enjoy breathtaking views, and challenge yourself both on and off the course. Whether you are looking for a permanent residence or a vacation getaway, Montreux offers an unparalleled lifestyle that combines luxury and natural beauty.
Incline Village Championship Course
The Incline Village Championship Course is a top-rated golf course that has earned several accolades. It is ranked #17 on the 2022 GolfPass Golfers’ Choice list and was voted #10 in Golf Advisors “Best Courses in Nevada” in 2018. The course’s layout includes two stunning golf courses – the Championship and Mountain courses, providing challenging play on every hole.
One of the course’s highlights is the driving range, which boasts top-of-the-line hitting mats, a chipping green, and a putting green. The use of electric golf carts, each equipped with Visage Golf GPS, enhances the golfing experience for players. Additionally, the course is beautifully maintained with excellent tees, fairways, bunkers, greens, and lush fairways, complemented with a variety of sand and lateral water hazards on almost every hole. The Incline Village Championship Course is a must-visit destination for golf enthusiasts looking for a challenging yet enjoyable golfing experience led by a super friendly staff.
Location: 955 Fairway Blvd, Incline Village, NV 89451
Southern Highlands
Southern Highlands is an exclusive golf club that attracts Hollywood celebrities and sports personalities alike. The club’s courses prominently feature the natural terrain, with lush pine tree-lined fairways. The 18-hole course is challenging but fair, with some tricky reads on the greens and where players can expect to use the set’s fast greens. The club’s signature holes are the par-four 16th and the par-five 18th, boasting stunning views of the Strip.
Apart from the high-quality golfing experience, Southern Highlands also offers a visually stunning atmosphere. The property features multitudinous flower gardens, ornate waterfalls and enormous bunker complexes. The clubhouse facilities are luxurious, and the courteous and knowledgeable staff add to the welcoming ambiance. With its serene setting on the northern side of a hill, Southern Highlands is a perfect getaway for any discerning golf enthusiast, where they can play golf while being surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Location: 1 Robert Trent Jones Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89141
Wolf Creek Golf Club
Wolf Creek Golf Club is located in Nevada and features breathtaking views of red rock mountains, desert, mesas, steep cliffs and ravines. The golf course is rated as the fourth most difficult course in the United States, with many challenging holes that test even experienced golfers. The landscape is characterized by big elevation changes and insane topography that make it an unforgettable golfing experience.
Wolf Creek Golf Club, a par 72 course stretching over 7,018 yards, offers a unique mix of long and short holes, as well as many risk and reward elements. With beautiful fairways, white sand bunkers, and speedy greens, the course is tough yet fair. It is well-maintained and in pristine shape, offering golfers the chance to appreciate the stunning scenery while enjoying a challenging game. The staff at the golf club are friendly and professional, making for a memorable experience both on and off the course.
Location: 403 Paradise Pkwy, Mesquite, NV 89027
Reflection Bay Golf Club
Reflection Bay Golf Club, the first public resort golf course in Nevada, was personally designed by Jack Nicklaus. This 7,261-yard, par-72 course offers stunning views of Lake Las Vegas and a way through the desert terrain’s natural contours. Featuring three waterfalls, this course is suitable for all levels of play. Reflection Bay is the home course of PGA Tour pro-Craig Barlow and LPGA professional Natalie Gulbis. The holes found along Lake Las Vegas provide both stunning beauty and significant challenges.
The terrain features a gentle but steady slope that falls from north to south, providing a natural challenge and endless opportunity to hone one’s skills. Additionally, the course is fair, with generous fairways and magnificent views. The staff at Reflection Bay are well-organized, friendly, and helpful, ensuring that golfers enjoy every aspect of their experience from tee to green. For golfers seeking a challenging yet enjoyable experience, Reflection Bay Golf Club is an excellent choice, providing golfers with ample opportunities to experience the best that Nevada’s public resort courses have to offer.
Location: 75 Montelago Blvd, Henderson, NV 89011
Wynn Golf Club
The Wynn Golf Club course, designed by renowned designer Tom Fazio, is a picturesque oasis sprawling over 6722 yards with well-manicured natural groundwater, meandering streams, cascading waterfalls, and mature forests, offering scenic views of the Las Vegas skyline. With a par 70, a slope rating of 119 and shaping narrow landing areas lined with thousands of pines and shrubs, test your golf skills while navigating through the course’s many elevation changes and avoiding the three lakes that dot the landscape.
Apart from the course, the Wynn Golf Club offers a professional caddie program that includes PGA-member caddies who will enhance your golfing experience. An electric golf cart equipped with GPS for distance and hole overviews is provided to make your game even more comfortable. Before the game, warm up at the putting green or grab some golfing gear at the pro shop. Complete with breathtaking views and exceptional customer service, the staff at Wynn Golf Club knows how to treat their customers right.
Location: 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89109
Edgewood Tahoe
Edgewood Tahoe is a world-renowned golf course located in the serene beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This winter wonderland is home to one of America’s most pristine mountain golf courses, with breathtaking views of the High Sierra. At 7529 yards, this 18-hole course is a challenge to even the most experienced golfer, with fourteen holes featuring water hazards and beautiful pockets of play through corridors of trees.
The course is designed with elegant Ponderosa pine trees lining the fairways, adding to the beauty of this stunning location. Edgewood Tahoe is home to the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship and is considered one of the “100 Greatest Public Courses in America” by Golf Digest. With friendly and accommodating staff and outstanding restaurants, it provides a truly unforgettable experience. The crown jewel of the course is the memorable 599-yard 3rd hole doglegging right with two bunkers, surrounded by mountains and featuring lightning-fast greens. Edgewood Tahoe is an experience that every golf enthusiast must have.
Location: 180 Lake Pkwy, Stateline, NV 89449
The Summit Club
The Summit Club is an 18-hole golf course and is sprawled over a vast 555-acre area that is adjacent to the Rock National Conservation Area. The golf course is situated amidst lush parkland and has a stunning desert backdrop. The fairways comprise irrigated grass and have five sets of tees that cater to golfers of all levels.
The golf course has been designed and maintained to perfection, with white bunker sand that stands out in brilliant contrast to the greenery. The bunkers themselves are immaculate, and the green complexes are solid, ensuring that golfers have a challenging yet enjoyable game. After a long day on the greens, golfers can head to the 19th hole, which is known for settling wagers and, further adding to the golfing experience, has some seriously downhill tee shots.
Location: 10775 Smt Clb Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89135
Coyote Springs Golf Club
Originally known as “The Chase at Coyote Springs,” Coyote Springs Golf Club boasts an impressive 7,471-yard, 18-hole course, offering a unique and challenging experience for golf enthusiasts. The course is situated in a harsh, rugged landscape with 11 lakes scattered throughout and native desert areas. The Delamar, the Arrow, and the Meadow Valley Mountains surround the course, providing an unbeatable backdrop. The fairways and greens of the course play on hard ground among rocks and cacti, giving the course a distinctive feel.
The massive 22-acre driving range and more undulated fairways, coupled with the eye-catching bunkers and few water hazards, make for an exciting round of golf at Coyote Springs. The course plays fast and firm, with one of the signature holes being the 17th, with a trio of bunkers found around the green and sloping green. The club promises an unparalleled golfing experience with its breathtaking surroundings, challenging course, and state-of-the-art facilities.
Location: 3100 NV-168, Moapa, NV 89025
Las Vegas Paiute Resort
Las Vegas Paiute Resort epitomizes an international golf destination where remarkable nature meets exceptional golf. Located 25 minutes northwest of the renowned Las Vegas Strip, Paiute Resort is idyllically situated amidst the breathtaking Southern Nevada desert. The resort boasts three championship golf courses – Snow Mountain, Sun Mountain, and WOLF. Among them, WOLF – the most difficult course stands out as the signature and longest course in Nevada.
Golf enthusiasts can revel in the unique experience of playing the mesmerizing game on meticulously designed courses surrounded by stunning vistas. The shape of the course is immaculate, while the greens make for a challenging and exciting game with “interesting” pin placements. The pro shop features a great selection of quality products, while the golf carts equipped with GPS provide precise yardage to all parts of the green. The restaurant and bar cater to your gastronomic needs, while the largest golf shop in the state has all you need for your game. The resort’s award-winning clubhouse provides the perfect culmination to a magnificent day of golf. Designed by world-renowned architect Pete Dye, Las Vegas Paiute Resort is a little gem in the golfing world that promises to provide an unforgettable experience.
Location: 10325 Nu-Wav Kaiv Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89124
South Shore Country Club
South Shore Country Club boasts the first private Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, featuring a rugged desert terrain with fairways that ride the ridges and career down the canyons to the lovely lakeside. The course is nestled between stunning mountain peaks and the pristine shores of Lake Las Vegas, guaranteeing its players picturesque views.
The South Shore Country Club course is both challenging and inviting, with strategically placed fairway bunkers and difficult approaches to many of the greens. Players can expect dramatic elevation changes and stunning vistas throughout the course. The 14th signature hole is especially memorable, with a seductive front pin placement over water and a rock wall in the front, flanked by palm trees in the back. Located just minutes from the Strip, South Shore Country Club is a must-play for golfers of all skill levels.
Location: 100 Strada Di Circolo, Henderson, NV 89011
Rio Secco Golf Club
Rio Secco Golf Club is a professional, 18-hole golf course designed by the award-winning Rees Jones. The course features a well-maintained, tough layout with impressive and dramatic features, including six holes deep in the canyons, six atop a plateau, and six others sitting atop a broad wash, providing a challenging and unique golfing experience. The course offers stunning views of the famous Las Vegas Strip, breathing new life into any golfer’s experience.
The facilities at Rio Secco Golf Club are top-notch, including a restaurant bar serving delicious food and drinks for after the game. The pro shop has a wide variety to cater to the golfers’ needs, and the staff are friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. The practice facilities include putting greens, new greenside bunkers, and newly expanded areas to improve your skills. Balls are readily available, and the range ensures the fun never stops. The golf course also has tight fairways and a difficult green that penalizes missed shots, ensuring that only the most skilled and dedicated golfers can conquer it. Overall, Rio Secco Golf Course provides an unforgettable experience for golf enthusiasts of any skill level.
Location: 2851 Grand Hills Dr, Henderson, NV 89052
Conestoga Golf Club
Conestoga Golf Club is a Gary Panks-designed championship course with rough hewn terrain, flashy bunkers, and mountain panoramas located just one hour north of Las Vegas. The course showcases the character and contours of Sun City Mesquite’s spectacular landforms, with ascending and descending elevations and tranquil water elements. It meanders through the heart of the Mesquite community, making it an excellent practice area for golfers.
The course offers a variety of tees for all golfers, and its beauty and playability have led to it being rated as “One of the Best You Can Play in Nevada,” #5 by Golfweek Magazine. With a tranquil vibe, this course is perfect for both experienced and beginner golfers. If you’re looking for a well-designed course with breathtaking views, then Conestoga Golf Club is the perfect place for you.
Location: 1499 Falcon Ridge Pkwy, Mesquite, NV 89034
Bali Hai Golf Club
Bali Hai Golf Club is an elegant championship golf course nestled amidst the magnificence of tropical foliage on the famed Las Vegas Strip. Covering a vast seven-acre area, the course provides an opulent experience through lush surroundings with towering palms, exotic Balinese tropical plants, and breathtaking water features spanning across white sand and black volcanic rock outcroppings.
The par-71 course measures 7,002 yards, offering challenging play and a view of the spectacular scenery. With world-class facilities and a location in impeccable shape, Bali Hai Golf Club is one of the “Top 50 Resort Courses” named by Golf Digest. The course’s smooth rolling is complemented by palm trees and white sand in the bunkers, making for a picturesque experience. Among the many highlights of this majestic course are the stunning views of Mandalay Bay and other nearby hotels and buildings.
Location: 5160 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Conclusion
Nevada has an amazing collection of top-notch golf courses that offer a variety of experiences. From the challenging and rewarding Coyote Springs to the stunning panoramas of Conestoga, these courses are perfect for all skill levels. Whether you’re looking for a great day out or an unforgettable experience, Nevada’s selection of golf courses provides something for everyone. With their unique features, stunning views, and excellent facilities, these courses are sure to delight any avid golfer. So get ready to tee off in 2023; Nevada’s golf courses have everything you need for your next game.
