One of the first desert courses to open up in Las Vegas, the Painted Desert Golf Club is an older but still highly enjoyable golf course. Designed by the renowned Jay Moorish, the par-72 Painted Desert features narrow fairways, lush greens dotted by bunkers and trees, and a scenic backdrop consisting of lovely homes set amid large mountains. Generally considered one of the fairest courses in Vegas, Painted Desert offers a thoroughly player-friendly round that tests skill but isn’t impossibly difficult.
When Painted Desert opened in 1987, it was rather avant-garde in Las Vegas with its arid landscaping off the green and unusually narrow fairways. Compared to some of the newer and more difficult layouts available in Sin City today, however, the course provides a relatively tame and moderately challenging game that’s not too intimidating for beginners. If players happen to miss the fairway on a shot, they’ll find the desert is actually playable and that getting back on the grass is not out of the question. The course is also fairly straightforward; there are no hidden obstacles waiting to surprise the player, but the holes still require thoughtful and well-executed shots.
A great example of such is the signature par-4 14th hole, a 292-yard dog-leg right with the entire right side guarded by water. Fairway bunkers, trees, and an elevated green waiting at the end demand a precise tee-off and a precise approach. Players will have the opportunity to warm up at the beginning, however, with a series of comfortable par-4s. Though the fairways are quite narrow and bordered by homes and other obstacles, straight and true shots on many of the holes will steer the player clear of any trouble. The course ends strong on a well-bunkered par-4 18th hole complete with a significantly sloped and scenic green.
With three sets of tees playing 2,904 yards from the ladies tees and 6,840 yards from the back tees, players of every level will find Painted Desert playable. Female golfers particularly appreciate the course, which seldom requires power drives and challenges players’ accuracy and consistency more so than their strength.
For post-golf merriment, Painted Desert’s clubhouse offers a large bar, restaurant, and some lounging areas that boast beautiful views of the course. Practice facilities include a driving range, putting green, and a bunker practice area, and a pro shop is well stocked with equipment and apparel.
