If you don’t want to travel far for a great game of golf, Bali Hai Golf Club, located on the south end of the Strip by Mandalay Bay and McCarran International Airport, is a solid choice. A breath of fresh air from the many desert-themed courses in Las Vegas, this tropically-themed 7,002-yard, par-72 course features seven acres of water features and more than 4,000 trees. With eighteen very playable and enjoyable holes, it’s no wonder why Bali Hai is one of the most popular golf courses among Las Vegas visitors.

While most Vegas courses offer mountainous and canyon landscapes as their views, Bali Hai offers incredible panoramas of the Strip, making players feel as though they’re on a Pacific island in the midst of a bustling city. More than 2,500 palm trees were imported from all over the world to adorn the course, along with volcanic rock and white sand. Slow-running streams, ponds, and waterfalls run through various holes, adding to the scenery and contributing to game play.

Aside from providing a beautiful setting, Bali Hai offers a genuinely fun game of golf that doesn’t make players want to pull their hair out in frustration. Fairways are generously sized, and all obstacles are within view – there are no surprises here. Some of the shorter holes will tempt you to use your driver, and unlike other courses that might punish you for it, a good drive might actually score you a birdie here.

Still, there are some challenges waiting at Bali Hai, especially on the 16th hole. We’re not sure what’s more difficult on this par-3 – landing on the correct tier of this island green or playing under the watch of diners on the course’s restaurant patio. The lengthy 18th hole is another tricky one, a 450-yard par-4 featuring a dogleg left.

Though it’s one of the few Vegas golf courses that doesn’t have an extensive practice facility – Bali Hai only offers a netted warm-up area – the course makes up for it by being so conveniently located. The excellent service also scores it several points; forecaddies and caddies are knowledgeable and friendly. Bali Hai offers clean locker rooms and an expensive but well-stocked award-winning golf shop. And business folk will enjoy dining in the upscale restaurant Cili, which serves fresh fish, beef, and chicken with a Pacific flair.

Though pricey, Bali Hai Golf Club is certainly one of Vegas’ superior golf courses, and it’s an excellent match for anyone looking to enjoy a no-muss, high-quality game of golf on the Strip.