One of the pioneers in Las Vegas golf, Painted Desert Golf Course is a 1987 Jay Morrish design has golfers shooting at targets in the desert.
Painted Desert golf has maintained its place in the Sin City golf community through all its changes by putting on an emphasis on course conditioning. Just because your greens are almost two decades old does not mean they cannot be in better shape than many of the new kids on the block.
The desert is the focus here, but Morrish also works in a few lakes as obstacles.
“This golf course is a very friendly layout and you can score here without having a feeling of imminent doom on every hole,” John Scappatura said. “We are a bit off of the beaten path, which means that we almost always have availability for tee times. Everyone who does make the trip out here though appreciates our conditioning, the price, and the friendly atmosphere.”
Among the most memorable holes is the par-3, 193-yard No. 8, where an elevated tee box plays to a sloping green guarded in front and to the left by water and behind by bunkers. The final two finishing holes are also distinct; the 535-yard No. 17 serves up a reachable par-5 that provides a rare birdie opportunity late in the round, followed by the par-4, 404-yard No. 18, which provides a stern test of shot-making finesse. A large bunker set to the left challenges the tee shot, which must carry far enough to find a level lie to set up the difficult second shot into one of the most remarkable green complexes in the area – featuring an elevated green which slopes significantly from back to front and is surrounded by bunkers. Finishing birdie-par on these two holes offers the opportunity for a dramatic and truly exhilarating finish.
Painted Desert Golf Club is the first of the Las Vegas desert courses and has numerous contrast of the desert areas and lush green fairways that lends beauty and challenge to the experience. Painted Desert’s tee boxes and fairways are separated by native desert vegetation (cactus and mesquite), several lakes guard the landing areas and greens, and many bunkers dot the course.
