Las Vegas, Nevada (March 11, 2010)–Highland Falls Golf Club is one of those Las Vegas golf courses that make players wonder: I wonder why I haven’t played here before? But after just one round on this Billy Casper/Greg Nash layout, players will certainly realize that they are playing golf in Las Vegas on an underrated course.–By Bill Bowman
Highland Falls is one of three Las Vegas courses that make up the Golf Summerlin collection, joining Palm Valley and Eagle Crest. All three courses are Casper/Nash designs. Highland Falls reaches 6,512 yards in length. That may not seem long, but elevation changes on many holes add to the challenge. “It’s a golf course that doesn’t beat you up,” says Joe Kelly, Director of Golf at Golf Summerlin. “It’s enjoyable. An 18-handicap player isn’t going to come out here and shoot 110 and be disappointed. He’s going to shoot in the 90s and have a good time doing it. It’s a very player-friendly course.”
Along with Highland Falls, the other two Golf Summerin layouts also offer value and Las Vegas Golf tee times can be booked directly on the Golf Summerlin website. Palm Valley opened in 1989 and is the oldest of the three courses. The par-72 layout plays to 6,580 yards and is the most challenging of the three courses. Eagle Crest, a par-60 executive course, has 12 par 3s ranging in length from 112 yards to a knee-knocking 224 yards. The course is built into the side of a mountain. All three Golf Summerlin layouts offer just what golfers look for when they want to tee it up: challenging golf at an affordable price. With rounds as low as $55 for visitors, the price is always right to check out Golf Summerlin.
At Highland Falls, the challenges are plentiful. One of the signature holes is a prime example. The par-3 14th stretches to 206 yards from the tips. The picture-postcard tee shot plays downhill and also provides players with a stunning view of the entire Las Vegas Strip. All of the par 5s are reachable by big hitters, but superb bunkering makes pinpoint accuracy a must on those go-for-broke second shots. The finale, the 387-yard, par-4 18th, is a solid closing hole with water coming into play off the tee as well as on the second shot. Hitting into this deep, but narrow green, tests players’ nerves who decide to go flag hunting. “The elevation changes and the tricky greens are good selling points for the course,” Kelly said.
The other two Golf Summerin layouts also offer great value. Palm Valley opened in 1989 and is the oldest of the three courses. The par-72 layout plays to 6,580 yards and is the most challenging of the three courses. Eagle Crest, a par-60 executive course, has 12 par 3s ranging in length from 112 yards to a knee-knocking 224 yards. The course is built into the side of a mountain. All three Golf Summerlin layouts offer just what golfers look for when they want to tee it up: challenging golf at an affordable price. With rounds as low as $42 for 18 holes for locals and $55 for visitors, the price is always right.