Painted Desert Golf Club
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Fivesomes? They allow fivesomes at Painted Desert?
I played Painted Desert in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 30, 2013. I had booked an 11:15 am tee time for "a single" through GolfNow. I made the booking on March 29th and it was a $47.99 GolfNow "hot deal" (including all taxes and service fees). My $47.99 "hot deal" included a power cart, but range balls were not included and had to be purchased separately. I was teamed up with three other golfers, another single who told me that he had paid $75 through GolfNow and two guys from Saskatchewan, Canada who told me that they had booked their tee time a month in advance through GolfNow, and that they had each paid $99. The lesson to be learned? GolfNow "hot deals" are the real deal!
As for Painted Desert, the course itself is relatively flat, not difficult, in pretty decent condition, and situated in a residential neighborhood just off the 95 Highway in Northwest Las Vegas (about a 25 minute drive from the "Las Vegas Strip"). The course is an older style course, short by today's standards for scratch golfers, but ideal length for average and beginner golfers.
Our round took over 5 hours to complete. Tee times are 7 minutes apart, and we were about 20 minutes late teeing off due to the course being backed up. And why was the course backed up, you ask? My personal opinion is because Painted Desert allows fivesomes. That's right. Peak Saturday morning, and Painted Desert is sending out fivesomes. We had a fivesome immediately in front of us (several of the golfers in the fivesome ahead of us were beginners, which did not help with our group's frustration), and the on-course marshall informed us to expect "a leisurely pace", due to 3 of the 4 groups immediately ahead of us being fivesomes. Needless to say, my playing partners, given how much they had paid to play Painted Desert, were not impressed.
In conclusion, my three criticisms (and they are inter-linked) of Painted Desert are as follows: (i) the slow pace of play on a Saturday morning for a relatively flat "cart only" course; (ii) the course allowing fivesomes; and (iii) tee times are only 7 minutes apart, leading to delayed start times and congestion on the course. Given the amount of money Painted Desert charges green fee players (including the usual Las Vegas area discriminatory practice of charging non-Clark County residents a significantly higher green fee than locals pay), one would expect to be treated to a better golf experience. The problem is not the course. It is the inability of the Management at Painted Desert to figure out how to make the golf experience for green fee players more rewarding, which should include a round of golf that takes less than 4 hours and 15 minutes. Perhaps the Management at Painted Desert should spend a day or two at the Pauite Las Vegas Golf Resort, where customer service reigns supreme and rounds of golf take 4 hours (or less)? I would play Painted Desert again, just not more than once or twice a year.
April 3, 2013
target golf
beautiful course, target golf, starter was very helpful, well maintened, some holes had hard pan outside of fairways
April 3, 2013
Well maintained, fun course
Played this course for the first time this weekend. It was in great shape, and the price was really reasonable.
As mentioned, the shape of the greens and fairways were excellent. Most of the tee boxes were also in great shape, but a few could use some work.
The pace of play was great, until about 2/3 of the way through the round. We ran into two threesomes who were playing from the tips and hacking the ball all over the place. Unfortunately, there seemed to be no marshal on the course to let them know to keep with the pace of play or let faster groups play through. You know it's a problem when my threesome merged with the twosome playing behind us, and we were waiting for 5 minutes on every tee box and on every shot.
Other than the pace of play, I really enjoyed the course and would play again.
March 30, 2013
Well Maintained and decent value.
The cons of this course: As far as condition the bunkers were pretty bad. They were sand, but not well raked, pretty compact sand and made it tougher to get out of. And like others have said, you have a tough time teeing off when you book. We teed off about 40 minutes late.
However, once we DID tee off we played at a pretty good rhythm. We only had to wait a little here and there, but that wasn't the course's fault, the group in front of us had some pretty bad blow up holes :) Since we had to wait so long they gave my friend and I both a free bucket of balls for the range, and later when I came back to check on it, they gave another one to us. Besides the bunkers as mentioned above the course was in great shape and had some fun challenging holes. I enjoyed the course, it wasn't the greatest I've ever been to but I had a good time and would go back.
March 28, 2013
Painted desert great time.
Well maintained course. Really friend staff. Great time had by all.
March 28, 2013
great course... really needs to have some lunch specials for golfers.
Overall the course is one of the best in Las Vegas.. Will return alot more to enjoy the course.
March 27, 2013
Course was in great condition.
This was the best course I played during my visit this year, outstanding condition. It would give anyone a good challenge.
March 21, 2013
The course has a nice layout and was in good condition
We had slow play conditions as we waited on every hole due to three sets of 5 to six players on every tee box ahead of us. Never had this happen to us on any other course. Was disappointed their was no course marshall out to correct this situation.
March 20, 2013
Fun Course
While in town for the Pac-12 championship, was looking for some new courses to play. GolfNow.com had a super deal for this course. This course was fun and challenging. From a few longer holes, to some risk/reward short par 4s. We had a lot of fun. The course was in great shape. The staff was friendly, attentive and helpful. The pace of play on the day we played was slow (5 hours) but we made it through. I would recommend this course.
March 19, 2013
Greens were fantastic! Fast but very true.
Chose this course because of player reviews talking about the greens. I was not disappointed. The greens were great. The length of the course is nothing to brag about, but the strategically placed bunkers and water hazards makes for fun and interesting play. Very enjoyable round, even with the interruption of a hail storm. Even got to see a wayward coyote trotting down the fairway. The only recommendation for improvement would be to add some sand to some of the bunkers. It was a little thin at times.
March 11, 2013
course was in average condition
for the price paid we should have a chipping area, a starter and most of all a Marshell to control place of play. Five hours for two player is not acceptible. The group ahead should have let us through on tha start of the back nine or at leasted sped up play.
raking the sand traps and fixing ball marks must not be part of you rules? We must of fixed at least three ball marks not ours on each green. it would also be nice if you could bet rid of the bird dropings.
February 28, 2013
better out there
not worth the money for tourists. better courses in Vegas for less money
February 25, 2013
Straight hitters only
Beautiful course! Very well maintained and in very good shape! Painted Desert is not a long course, but you definitely need to hit the ball straight and keep it in play in order to score well here.
February 19, 2013
One for the Old Timers!
Honestly, this is just as straight forward as golf gets. Everything is right in front of you, no tricks, no dog legs, just aim and fire. And plenty of yardage relief for the beginners, seniors and ladies.
The greens were in outstanding shape for February. They didn't really hold well, but they rolled true and very fast.
February 11, 2013
best greens in LV
Good course requiring a variety of shots and shot shapes. The greens are fast but probably the most consistent in Las Vegas from hole to hole, day to day, month to month.
February 7, 2013
Nice layout. Very nice condition for February.
Played this course with 2 buddies as we were all in Vegas for golf and Super Bowl. Excellent weather (19C / 70F). Course was in nice condition. Greens ran true. Good challenge. Would recommned it to others.
February 6, 2013
Fun and Challenging Course. Friendly helpful staff.
I read reviews on GolfNow and selected Painted Desert to try on a golfing trip with my buddies. Glad we did. Fairways were lush and the greens wonderful and fast (I do wish more people repaired their ball marks- I was repairing 3 or 4 per green, sadly too few were mine.) The holes each have unique character. There is water and lots of sand. It is a fair test. Appears to be heavily played, but the pace was reasonable for lots of foursomes. Some issues with mud hens (looks like the course is trying to keep them away). Good golf course food, friendly people and great service. I will be coming back to this course frequently. I do not, on the whole, like golf courses that wander through houses ... but this is a great one. My apple phone map program dropped us 180 degrees and several miles away from the entrance to the course ... which turned out to be like 100 yards off the freeway. On the hole named for a kitten ... the cat actually came out and greeted us ... nice touch.
February 1, 2013
Great course!!
Course is a great length for every player, fairways are wide but still changeling. loved it with the exception of the wind on the day we played..we are looking forward to coming back on our next trip.
January 30, 2013
GREAT value for the money
This course can't be beat. By booking through Golfnow.com, I was able to get my golf, golf cart, range balls, lunch, and club rentals for $49.00!!! They even provided a "rock" club if you had to play from the desert after an errant shot, Unbelieveable!
The course was in good shape, greens were fast, and the staff was super accommodating! Highly recommend this course to anyone coming to Vegas! Nice views on the front 9, marginal views on the back nine.
January 28, 2013
VERY NICE STAFF IN PRO SHOP AND RESTAURANT
ISSUE WITH BIRDS ON TEE BOXES..LACK OF DISTANCE FINDERS ON COURSE, AND NOTHING ON CART TO HELP NEW PLAYERS TO COURSE. OVERALL, A GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH FREE MEAL, PRACTICE BALLS, NICE CARTS.
January 28, 2013
What a great place to play golf!
It was a beautiful sunny day. The "cart guy" that met us in the parking lot was the best! We had wet towels on our carts, free driving range balls,and the guy in the club house was all over it;calling me by name as I walked in. The group ahead of us was a little slow,but I was having a better than normal round on a course that I've never played before so I was having a great time. One of those that you wished would never end. And always a plus to have a super friendly "beverage cart girl". We'll be back!
January 27, 2013
Good value for a very nice course.
The conditions of the tee boxes, the fairways, and right up to the greens were in very good. I'm not the straighest driver, so there were some tough times for me. The fairways, once in them, were nice to hit off of, without a lot of extreme challenges. The greens were in excellant shape and provided us with some trying times as well.
January 19, 2013
Great place to play.
This has some of the best views in Las Vegas. The course plays well and the condition of the fairways and greens is good.
January 11, 2013
Pretty easy to play, nice day in cool sunny Las Vegas
We teed off late due to course being frozen. If you play early make sure it is not frozen.
The Bar Personnel made the day... Bonnie made the entire day, with Breakfadt while we waited, drinks at the turn and Lunch afterwards!!
January 6, 2013
Beautiful Golf Experience
THE COURSE
Painted Desert is proof that a course does not need to be branded with a Miller or Nicklaus or Dye to be a great track,
Painted Desert is in a sub division of homes and placed with such skill and landscape it is one of the best places to play in Vegas.
FAIRWAYS AND TEES
Fairways are excellent condition. Tees have nice even grass but a bit uneven or bumpy in spots but over all very good. Tees are green emeralds in the dusty desert landscape. Sorry no brass between tee and fairway's :)
GREENS
Excellent
CLUBHOUSE
Good. Very Typical and have all you need
PRACTICE FACILITIES
Par for the course.!!
Just a great place to play!!
December 28, 2012
Nice course and fair to play
The course was in good condition, the different colours along the fairways are beautiful.
December 10, 2012
worth golfing, but falling behind in value
played Nov 30, very windy , cool but not cold. No gps in carts, no free range balls to warm up. no markers for 100 yds. Friendly staff. No great views on course. some greens had dead spots. followed a 4 some, waited on every shot but still got done in 4 hrs. started 11am, got done before dusk. Golf now hot deal $50 ok deal, have played here for $25, smoking deal. not too far from strip
December 8, 2012
This is an excellent course with great views of the mountains
My wife and i enjoyed this course. Friendly crew with excellent views of the mountains. Greens and fairways were in very good condition. We enjoyed our golf outing and will play it again when we return to Las Vegas.
December 2, 2012
Excellent course 20 minutes off the strip.
Booked Painted Desert the day before on Golfnow and paid only $40 which has to be one of the best values in Vegas. Entire course was in top condition with very fast greens. Course is a typical desert layout with an emphasis on accuracy. Staff was super and they even got us out 20 minutes early. Course was not overly packed and we finished up in just over 4 hours. Will definately play this course the next time we are in Vegas.
November 28, 2012
Great course
Great course needs a book or some kind of layout summary I got into trouble because of unfamiliarity with the course would definitely play course again
November 23, 2012