Off the Fringe, “Golf’s best short read.” The award winning newsletter, sent twice monthly, that provides an unconventional perspective on the golf world.
gary smith
Las Vegas
2012-02-27
$76 (cart included), played on Friday, February 2006 at noon
First off, when I called Desert Pines on the day I was to play and spoke with a "Resveration Agent", I was quoted $199. Way too much to play here. I told the reservation person "forget it" and he said he would discount by half. I told him I could play Paiute for $89, and he said he would match that green fee. So if you are going to play Desert Pines, Royal Links, or Bali Hai (their other properities) I suggest try negotiating green fees when calling for tee time.
Overall. I enjoyed the course and really liked the layout and ambiance. Lots of mature trees, shrubs, and water, and you don't feel like you're on a desert track. The course was in really good shape, although a couple greens were a little beat up in spots. Not a real long course, think around 6400 yards from the middle tees, but a lot of holes really force you to hit precision shots. I've heard people complain about the freeway noise, but personally didn't think it was an issue.
I started on the back 9 and the pace of play was not bad. However, on the front 9, there was 2 groups of 6 and a group of 5 in front of me that were holding things up. One of the proshop employees told me they will let groups of 5 and 6 out in the afternoons. Another course employee led me to the 5th hole and told me to play holes 1-4 after hole 9 to avoid the backup.
All in all, fun course in great condition and would definately play again at rate I paid. But beware, if they're letting out 5 and 6'sums, could play very slow.
Would travel: 120-300 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again
Condition of Course, Layout, Ambiance, No Houses on Course, Staff
$76 (cart included), played on Friday, February 2006 at noon
First off, when I called Desert Pines on the day I was to play and spoke with a "Resveration Agent", I was quoted $199. Way too much to play here. I told the reservation person "forget it" and he said he would discount by half. I told him I could play Paiute for $89, and he said he would match that green fee. So if you are going to play Desert Pines, Royal Links, or Bali Hai (their other properities) I suggest try negotiating green fees when calling for tee time.
Overall. I enjoyed the course and really liked the layout and ambiance. Lots of mature trees, shrubs, and water, and you don't feel like you're on a desert track. The course was in really good shape, although a couple greens were a little beat up in spots. Not a real long course, think around 6400 yards from the middle tees, but a lot of holes really force you to hit precision shots. I've heard people complain about the freeway noise, but personally didn't think it was an issue.
I started on the back 9 and the pace of play was not bad. However, on the front 9, there was 2 groups of 6 and a group of 5 in front of me that were holding things up. One of the proshop employees told me they will let groups of 5 and 6 out in the afternoons. Another course employee led me to the 5th hole and told me to play holes 1-4 after hole 9 to avoid the backup.
All in all, fun course in great condition and would definately play again at rate I paid. But beware, if they're letting out 5 and 6'sums, could play very slow.