Tuscany is a master planned community about 25 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. If you have never been out there before, or have just gone a few years between visits, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. As soon as you get inside the gates you are greeted by lush green fairways and fantastic views of the whole Las Vegas Valley. The few homes that are already built are very unique in design and the whole Tuscany community has an authentic "old world" feel.

 

When you pull into the golf course, the staff is very friendly and helpful. The driving range is all grass so you can get some realistic feedback on how you're striking the ball before you get out on the course. When you do get to the first tee, you are greeted by a forced carry over a small lake to start your day. While the lake only comes into play on poorly hit shots it still provides a very picturesque setting for the first shot of the day.

 

After the first hole (an uphill dogleg left par 4), you get to a short downhill par 5. The few times I have been to Tuscany, the wind has always been at my back standing on this tee box. Like any smart golfer would do in this exact situation, I go by the philosophy of,  "Tee it high and swing harder than you have ever swung before!" Surprisingly, that didnâ't work out exactly as I had planned and I hit my brand new Titleist into the bushes never to be seen again. Luckily I hit my crooked tee shot far enough where I only had a mid-iron into the green after my drop from the hazard area. I hit my 7 iron onto the putting surface and two putted for a good old routine par.

 

At Tuscany Golf Club there are plenty of elevation changes, perfectly placed bunkers, water hazards, and palm trees to make your round a challenge. The golf course plays shorter than the yardage says because of the roll you get off the tee shots and it also allows you to club down on some longer approach shots that will roll up and onto the greens. The eighteenth hole is a great example of the kind of golf you can experience at Tuscany. Listed as a 440 yard par 4, if you hit a decent tee shot it will roll down the hill and snuggle up next to the 150 yard marker. This leaves you with a short or mid-iron over a lake to a well guarded green. In front and to the right of the green is the lake. In back of the green are two large bunkers. And to the left of the green is a cascading waterfall feeding into the large lake. I don't want to talk about where my ball ended up when I hit my 8 iron approach shot a little fat and to the right.

 

Golfing at Tuscany is an experience I would strongly recommend to anyone coming to Las Vegas. I would also say that Tuscany Golf Club is one of the best values in town whether you're looking to golf on a budget or just looking for a new, enjoyable golf experience.