March 26, 2009–If you are familiar with this website, you know we're a bit biased towards Las Vegas golf courses. We love 'em, and want all golfers to experience golf in Las Vegas. But now, an independent source has stepped up and added to the view point that bringing your golf clubs to Las Vegas is very much worth. ForbesTraveler.com has ranked Las Vegas as America's Number 10 golf city, and while we could argue that we should be ranked higher, being on the list is a very nice honor.
The editors of ForbesTraveler.com consulted with several leading golf magazine travel writers and editors to determine the list, and how to best judge a quality golf city. "(A great golf city) starts with the concentration of courses—great golf cities have at least several good public courses along with private clubs that have history and some kind of golfing soul," Paul Rogers, senior editor at Travel & Leisure Golf, said.
The top city was Chicago followed closely by Phoenix/Scottsdale. "Hard to believe, but it's been almost twenty years since Steve Wynn opened Tom Fazio's Shadow Creek, an early example of a synthetic landscape linked to first-class golf—and eventually, the $500 round," wrote ForbesTraveler.com's Ray Tennenbaum about Las Vegas. "His Steve Wynn Golf Club, retooled from the old Desert Inn on the strip, is the newest member of the Purple Chip Club, though Rees Jones' Cascata (pictured)gets the nod from most golfers. L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon at the MGM Grand is the Vegas version of this virtuoso's exquisite gastronomy."
The Las Vegas golf region is home to about 60 Las Vegas golf courses, and has hosted events on all of the LPGA Tour, Champions Tour, and PGA Tour. Las Vegas' golf courses have also been designed by some of the best designers in the world including the aforementioned Jones and Fazio.
"No matter who is making up a Top-10 list, or the subject matter, Vegas is always on the list," says former VegasGolfer Magazine editor Bill Bowman who is now consulting and writing freelance for several publications and websites. "Las Vegas Golf is no different. Whether you're coming here stritctly for a golf vacation or just want to tee it up on a whim, there are courses for every player's ability and pocketbook. Throw in the great weather and great course conditions and you'll see why more and more people pack their golf clubs first when they are planning that trip to Vegas."