Las Vegas Golf Courses, and the “Losers” Who Play Them
Sunday, 07.01.2007, 02:02pm (GMT)
It should come as no surprise that some of the most expensive golf
clubs in the country are found in and around Las Vegas. It’s just not
as easy as you might think to keep a lush green in the middle of a
desert! That said, many private golf courses in the area don’t even
list rates, so one can only guess how steep the rates actually are. But
there are still a number of private and public courses where you can go
and play a great round of golf - and still leave the green with some
greenbacks in your wallet.
I lost at blackjack last night but I still have $50 left…can I play
golf, or should I just head over to the slot machines instead?
Well, I guess that all depends on just how lucky you feel. But if you
are tired of giving the casinos all of your money, and want to take
advantage of the great golf courses Las Vegas has to offer, then you
are in luck…maybe. A growing concern for those wanting to play on the
golf courses in the Las Vegas area is the fluctuating rates. Hey, we’re
all used to rates changing due to seasons, lighting conditions,
reservations…the works. But some of the golf courses in Las Vegas have
divided the seasons up in ever-more-imaginative ways, that seem to try
and squeeze every last possible dollar out of the green. However (and
this is subject to change, so DEFINITELY try to book some green time as
far in advance as possible), the following golf courses can be played
for $50 or less: Craig Ranch, Los Prados, and Eagle Crest.
I managed to escape the casinos with $100…golf anyone?
If you have been able to squirrel away a Ben Franklin, then a lot of
the golf courses Las Vegas offers will gladly put you on the green. Now
again, the rates at some golf courses are changing by the day, it seems
- so be sure to check before showing up with only Ben. Those officially
posting fees of $100 or less during the winter months are: Desert Rose,
Las Vegas Golf Club, Painted Desert, Highland Falls, Palm Valley, Las
Vegas National Golf Club, and the Rhodes Ranch. Oh, and for those not
“in the know”, rates tend to be higher for golf courses in Las Vegas
during the winter months, as the heat can be downright brutal during
the summer. Oh yeah, Las Vegas is in the middle of a big desert, isn’t
it?
I really need to stretch my golfing funds as much as possible…what options do I have?
No worries, my friend - sometimes the cards just aren’t rolling. You
can save anywhere from $5-15 by walking golf courses instead of driving
the carts. Not a great option during the heat of the summer months, but
an option that can help stretch the dollar a little farther.
Twilight rates are another way to save money, but they can be very
confusing. What is most confusing about the golf courses Las Vegas has
to offer is that their twilight rates are not necessarily offered in
the dying light. During the summer months, and due to the extreme heat,
twilight hours tend to start in the late morning and early afternoon.
In the winter, however, twilight hours occur at the end of the day, and
it is not uncommon for golfers to not get in an entire 18 holes.
While Las Vegas does have many exclusive golf clubs, with prices so
steep that they refuse to post them, there are a number of reasonably
priced golf courses that offer some great greens at prices even the
worst of gamblers can afford. Plus, if you are wise and plan
accordingly, you can get those low prices even lower - and maybe even
get in another round of golf to keep your mind off those lousy cards
for a few hours longer! After a great round on the green, I can promise
you that you will not leave Las Vegas feeling like a “loser” - even if
your wallet tells you otherwise.
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