Painted Desert Golf Club

At 6,781 yards from the back tees, Painted Desert Golf Club gives Las Vegas golf a more considered rhythm than a simple grip it and rip it test. Jay Morrish’s par 72 layout moves through Mojave terrain where elevation shifts, rock features and native planting shape both the line from the tee and the approach into the green. Water appears often enough to focus the mind, while carries and guarded putting surfaces reward a sensible position from which to attack the flag. There are several sets of tees, so the course can be set up to suit mixed ability groups without losing the character of the challenge. Golf carts are available, useful on a layout where the desert setting and changes in level make the journey between shots part of the round. As one of Las Vegas’s earlier desert style courses, opened in 1987, it has also staged the Nevada Open.

Allow time before the first tee for the driving range, putting green, chipping area and dedicated short-game practice space. The club also runs instruction with Bear Harris and Jim Gronnebek, alongside clinics that cover iron striking, tee shots, course management, mental approach and shots around the green. After golf, Rockwall Grille is a natural place to settle in, serving American lunch and dinner from sunrise until sunset, with a full bar for cocktails, beer and wine. Its outlook across the course keeps the desert landscape in view while the scorecard gets its usual post round inspection. The club is around 20 minutes north west of the Las Vegas Strip, making it an easy round to fit around a stay in the city, yet far enough out for broad desert views to take over from the hotels and traffic.