Considered one of the best courses in Las Vegas, Desert Pines Golf Club provides an escape from the traditional arid desert course with 18 holes set amid more than 4,000 mature pine trees. Designed to resemble the landscape of the Carolinas, Desert Pines features vibrant, well groomed fairways and undulating bent grass greens dotted occasionally with white sand bunkers. Water comes into play on nine of the eighteen holes, making this a particularly lush and beautiful Las Vegas course.

Located less than fifteen minutes from the Strip, players of all abilities will find a fun and rewarding game at Desert Pines, which was designed by Perry Dye. The holes are nicely varied and moderately elevated, ranging from some short par-4s to a lengthy 5th hole that can play up to 489 yards. In either scenario, one might be tempted to pull out their driver, but it should only be attempted if the player is confident in their accuracy. The enjoyable 14th hole, amusingly named “Do or Dye,” is the best example of a driveable hole that’s not too lengthy; players should beware, though, of the plentiful bunkers and the pines that guard the green rather tightly.

If the course sounds rather short and simple, Desert Pines ends that notion rather effectively with the 18th hole, appropriately named “The Gauntlet.” Obstacles and challenges abound on this 466-yard par-4, with water running down the left side off the tee and two large bunkers in front of the green.

When the round is over, the fun continues at Desert Pines’ particularly impressive 20,000 square-foot practice facility. Its best feature is a unique automatic ball delivery system that tees up each ball so the player doesn’t ever have to bend over. The Practice Center also features five target greens, lit up for nighttime play and modeled after some of the country’s most famous par-3 17th holes. If you don’t have the time or skill for the course, Desert Pines is worth coming to for the Practice Center alone.

Players can also stock up on golf equipment and apparel at the pro shop, which offers Callaway club and Footjoy shoe rentals, and breakfast and lunch is served daily at Duffers Restaurant. On-course food and beverage service is also available.

One of the most unique courses in Las Vegas, Desert Pines Golf Club is definitely a course to try if you’ve tried the rest and are craving something refreshingly original and different.