Las Vegas National A Rich Tradition of Challenging Golf

As soon as you step on the first tee, you know you are in for a challenge. Even if you have never heard the tales of all the famous golfers who have teed it up at Las Vegas National, the set up of the first hole is menacing enough. With out-of-bounds on both sides as well as fairway and greenside bunkers and a lake bordering the green, this long dogleg right opening Par 5 will intimidate even single digit handicaps. Once you get past the first hole it doesn't get too much easier. Las Vegas National is made up of tight fairways, large maple trees, lots of doglegs, and strategically placed bunkers that provide plenty of risk-reward type shot-making for the avid gambler. Describing the condition of the greens can be done in one word - PURE. The fairways are a brilliant green and the greens mirror them. Every putt you hit rolls flawlessly to the hole, and sometimes, if you're lucky, even drops in the hole.

Another striking feature of Las Vegas National is the surrounding neighborhoods. All of the homes you will see were built more than 30 years ago and possess amazingly unique architecture and design. The best example is the home between the first and 18th fairways that was featured prominently in the movie "Casino."Some of the other features that can be seen throughout the course are a number of statues, creatively constructed backyards, and very original balconies and pools.

Las Vegas National doesn't have all of the frills of a $300 per round course but it has everything you need for a good golf experience. It's a great layout, it's in great condition, and it is enough of a challenge to make any good score very rewarding. If you haven't been to Las Vegas National, you should make it a point to visit - not only for the tradition that lives there, but for the great challenge of playing a long, tough, old-style Las Vegas golf course that is in wonderful shape and has a very friendly staff. It will be worth the trip.