Las Vegas, Nev. (Oct. 18, 2016)–The old saying is simple: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well behold Coyote Springs Golf Club’s par 3s, four of the best-looking, toughest-to-play holes you will find anywhere. And add in the fact that there are 14 other stunning holes on this Jack Nicklaus designed course and you’ve got a layout that is well worth the trip.–By Bill Bowman
Coyote Springs, located an hour north of Las Vegas, is a par-72 layout that stretches to 7,471 yards from the tips. Water comes into play early and often as 11 lakes dot the landscape.
But it’s the par 3s that will test players’ nerve while stimulating their senses.
“I think we have four of the hardest par 3s in the valley,” said Karl Larcom, director of golf. “Nicklaus was just so good when he designed these par 3s.”
We’ll start with the obvious: Three of the four par3s have more than their share of water.
Take the 185-yard 3rd hole for instance. From the tips, it’s all carry over a huge pond. There is a bailout area to the right, but four bunkers come into play around the green. Get past that one and it sets up the 8th (228 yards) and the 17th (155 yards). Both also play over or nearly-over ponds with enough bunkering thrown in to add to the challenge.
Larcom said No. 8 provides plenty of fear factors. “It’s a long hole and your focus is staying out of the water so players have a tendency to go left,” he said. “But that leaves a downhill chip with the green running away from you…and toward the water. It’s definitely a tough hole.”
The only par 3 without water is the 164-yard 12th. But four bunkers and desert landscaping provide plenty of protection to a large, undulating green.
Larcom has one bit of advice for golfers: Play the proper set of tees. “Especially on the front, the holes will play 20-to-25 yards longer,” he said. “And hitting a long iron or a hybrid into a well-guarded green is a difficult shot for the weekend golfer. Even the pros can have trouble with that shot.”
Par on any or all of these is certainly a great accomplishment. Birdie any of them and you’ll have bragging rights with your buddies.
UPDATE:
Coyote Springs now has a restaurant for golfers. “It’s great that players can now come out and have breakfast before the round or have a hot dog or a hamburger after the round,” Larcom said. “It really adds a lot to the experience.”