If you're eager to escape the bustling pace of the Las Vegas Strip or the allure of casinos, and you have a passion for golf, Pin Creatures has got you covered with a guide to the top golf courses around Sin City.
For those willing to venture a bit beyond the city limits, numerous courses in the vicinity have earned a spot on Pin Creatures Best rankings for top public-access layouts in Nevada. Conveniently, all the listed courses are within an hour's drive of Harry Reid International Airport, situated adjacent to the Strip. However, determining the ideal golfing destination isn't as simple as consulting the general state rankings, as some Nevada courses may be farther away than one might expect.
To facilitate your golfing expedition, we conducted a practical exercise using Google Maps on a typical Saturday morning to gauge drive times. It's essential to note that traffic congestion, particularly around the Strip, can impact these estimates, so consider these times with a degree of flexibility.
Accompanying this information is a comprehensive map pinpointing the locations of all the recommended courses. Each course on the list is represented by a number on the map – scroll down to locate the corresponding numbers.
Included alongside each course is its position in Nevada on Pin Creatures public-access list. Additionally, for courses featured in other esteemed rankings, those positions are also provided.
For context, our course-ratings panel, comprised of hundreds of members, consistently evaluates and rates courses based on ten criteria using a points system from 1 through 10. These individual ratings culminate in an overall rating for each course, contributing to Pin Creatures course rankings.
It's worth noting that the courses highlighted in this list offer public access in various ways, whether through standard daily green fees, affiliated resorts or casinos, or by staying at partner hotels. Where there's a desire to play, there's a tee time available – no membership required.
1. Shadow Creek
The Henebrys/Courtesy of Shadow Creek GC
Where: North Las Vegas
State ranking 2023: No. 1 public-access in Nevada; No. 13 modern course in U.S.; No. 1 casino course in U.S.; No 8 public-access course in U.S.; No. 8 resort course in U.S.
Designer: Tom Fazio
Distance: 25 minutes north of Harry Reid International Airport
2. Cascata
Courtesy L.C. Lambrecht
Where: Boulder City
State ranking 2023: No. 2 public-access in Nevada; tied for No. 159 modern course in U.S.; No. 56 public-access course in U.S.; No. 42 resort in U.S.
Designer: Rees Jones
Distance: 25 minutes southeast of Harry Reid International Airport
3. Wynn Golf Club
Courtesy of Wynn Golf Club
Where: Las Vegas
State ranking 2023: No. 5 public-access in Nevada; No. 9 casino course in U.S.; T117 resort course in U.S.
Designer: Tom Fazio
Distance: 15 minutes north of Harry Reid International Airport
4. Coyote Springs Golf Club
Courtesy of Coyote Springs Golf Club
Where: Coyote Springs
State ranking 2023: No. 8 public-access in Nevada
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Distance: One hour north of Harry Reid International Airport
5. Paiute (The Wolf)
Courtesy of PAIUTE GOLF RESORT - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA & BRIAN OAR - FAIRWAYS PHOTOGRAPHY
Where: Las Vegas
State ranking 2023: No. 9 public-access in Nevada; T160 resort course in U.S.
Designer: Pete Dye
Distance: 40 minutes north of Harry Reid International Airport
6. Rio Secco
Rio Secco in Nevada (Courtesy of Rio Secco)
Where: Henderson
State ranking 2023: No. 10 public-access in Nevada; No. 186 resort course in U.S.
Designer: Rees Jones
Distance: 20 minutes south of Harry Reid International Airport
7. Paiute (Sun Mountain)
Courtesy of Las Vegas Paiute Golf Course (Sun Mountain)
Where: Las Vegas
State ranking 2023: No. 11 public-access in Nevada
Designer: Pete Dye
Distance: 40 minutes north of Harry Reid International Airport
8. Paiute (Snow Mountain)
Snow Mountain at Paiute in Nevada (Courtesy of Paiute/Brian Oar)
Where: Las Vegas
State ranking 2023: No. 12 public-access in Nevada
Designer: Pete Dye
Distance: 40 minutes north of Harry Reid International Airport