At Primm Valley Golf Club located on the Nevada-California state line, two courses – the Lakes and the Desert – combine to create a literal desert oasis. Here, golfers will find exquisite and contrasting environments designed by renowned course architect Tom Fazio. Whether you’re seeking an enjoyable game or a test of skill, Primm Valley can satisfy you, with both courses featuring immaculate landscapes, challenging layouts, and beautiful mountain views.
At the par-72 Desert course, the newer of the two at Primm Valley, Fazio has embraced Nevada’s natural terrain by incorporating plenty of desert vegetation, such as colorful cacti, desert wildflowers, and palm and mesquite trees. Emphasizing the desert theme, vast bunkers play into seven of the holes, and along with the narrow fairways, they demand accurate shots.
Despite the frequent presence of obstacles, however, – and they are frequent – what you see is what you get with Desert. This leads to a game that requires much more thought than your average; for example, on the 13th hole, players have the option of hitting over a desert wash or playing safely to the right of it – and into a rather tricky approach toward the hole. Players will be able to ponder their strategy in peace though, as the Desert is well laid-out with isolated and shielded holes.
While the Desert is dotted with sandy bunkers, the Lakes is a tropical paradise dotted with plenty of – you guessed it – water. You’d never guess you were in the desert on this par-71, 6,945-yard course, which features an extensive lakes and rivers system coming into play on 11 of its holes. However, bunkers and dense groves of Pine trees are just as prevalent on the Lakes. All this makes for a considerably challenging course, though wide fairways that slope towards the middle make it fairly player-friendly. Unlike Desert, there are few forced carries on the Lakes, but numerous undulating greens await to make things interesting.
A great example of the course’s style is the signature 10th hole, named Temptation, which is classic risk/reward. This 347-yard dogleg left from the back tees is certainly drivable, but should a player fall short, he/she risks landing in a bunker or on a steep slope leading down to water. Though some say the Desert course provides a better game of golf, there’s no denying the appeal of the Lakes’ beautiful scenery and big challenges.
With either course at Primm Valley Golf Club, you can’t go wrong – you’re guaranteed a game full of spectacular scenery and unique holes. After a round, players can enjoy amenities like a stately clubhouse, complete with restaurant, lounge, and pro shop, and a 22-acre practice facility with a double-ended circular driving range, target greens, chipping and pitching greens, and practice putting greens.
