Las Vegas, Nev. (Sept. 28, 2016)–When it comes to challenging golf holes, especially par 3s, the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, the home of three Las Vegas golf courses, has more than its share of beauties–both in the scenic sense as well as daunting to play. So if you’re looking for a few do-or-Dye par-3s that will test nerves as well as shot-making prowess, these three courses certainly fit the bill. –By Bill Bowman
The Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort features three Pete Dye masterpieces. There’s the original course, the Snow Mountain design which opened in 1995. Then came the Sun Mountain layout in 1996 and the third, The Wolf, was welcomed in 2001. It’s a golf resort that offers players a wide range of golf hole challenges, but it’s the par 3s that certainly stand out.
As always, the Paiute offers several great Las Vegas rates and deals. If you’re looking to take on two or more of the courses and these tremendous golf challenges, don’t forget the resort’s bounce back and GolfaPalooza rates–giving players more rounds and deals for their money.
And for Jeff Reid, general manager at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, playing the par 3s is actually quite simple: Aim for the middle of the green. “The general thought is because you have an iron in your hand, it should be an easy shot,” Reid said. “But that isn’t always the case. It also depends on how you’re playing that day. If you’re playing well, you might want to take on that flag, especially if you’re hitting your favorite club or if it’s a good yardage for you. If not, aim for the middle of the green, take your par and move on.”
We’ll start with the Wolf’s par-3 15th. It’s a golf hole that can stretch out to more than 200 yards from the tips. It’s also famous world-wide for its island green. Standing on the tee, players will see water, water and more water along with what appears to be a tiny speck of a green in the distance. Add in bunkers short and long and maybe a little breeze and this hole is as intimidating as it is gorgeous.
(A word of advice when playing all three of these courses: Unless you’re a low-handicap golfer, check your ego at the golf shop’s front desk and move up a set–or two–of tees. You’re scorecard and supply of golf balls will both thank you.)
The other two courses have par 3s that are just as dynamic. Or in this case…Dye-namic. Both are the 4th holes on their respective courses. And the similarities–and dangers–don’t stop there. Both play over ponds (from the tips) from tee to green. Both also have bunkering added into the mix–Snow Mountain (180 yards from the tips) featuring bunkers left, short and long while the Sun Mountain (204 yards from the tips) has one huge beach-like bunker guarding the front and right portions of the green. The best news here is that unlike The Wolf’s 15th, the Snow and Sun holes do have small bailout areas short-left of the green. The Wolf…not so much.
And one more similarity for all three holes: While they are just par 3s, all three can–and will–have a definite impact on your round. Whether that impact will be positive or negative will depend on your accuracy and confidence from that tee shot.