The Canyons at Oasis Golf Club Mesquite, Nevada

We booked a week in Mesquite at the Oasis Resort (I believe it since has been torn down - feel sorry for any owners).

The Oasis Golf Club is Arnold Palmer's Wild & Magnificent Masterpiece featuring the Palmer & Canyons Golf Courses. Mesquite is the only 36-hole golf facility, with 18 holes designed by Arnold Palmer & 18 more holes of spectacular golf designed to top off your golf vacation.


The Palmer Golf Course is one of Mr. Palmer's top ten favorite designs!

The exquisite 29,000 square-foot Oasis Golf Clubhouse is nestled between the Arnold Palmer-designed course and the Canyons course. The grounds are complete with a driving range, chipping green and two putting greens.  

On this day I played the Canyons Course and shot a 93 from the white tees.

Hole 4, Par 4 - 327 yards

Hole 5, Par 4 - 387 yards

Hole 7, Par 5 - 475 yards

Hole 8, Par 3 - 164 yards

Hole 9, Par 4, 315 yards

Hole 10, Par 4 = 353 yards

Hole 12, Par 4, 325 yards

Hole 15 (1) Par 4 - 379 yards

Hole 15 (2) View toward green

Hole 15 (3) View of Green

Hole 16, Par 3 - 114 yards

Hole 17 , Par 5 - 519 yards

Hole 18, Par 3 - 138 yards

Badlands Golf Course, Las Vegas, Nevada

Badlands Golf Club is currently ranked as one of the top golf courses to play in Las Vegas. There are three distinct nine-hole courses the Desparado and Diablo designed by Johnny Miller and the Outlaw designed by Chi Chi Rodriguez. For the golfer who enjoys a challenge on a desert target golf course, we definitely recommend the Badlands.Voted in 1997 as the Best Golf Course in Las Vegas by the Review Journal Readers Poll, and ranked among the 1997 Top Ten Best Golf Courses in Las Vegas, Nevada by Golf Digest, Badlands Golf Club is a definite addition to your golf package. The Badlands Golf Club opened in 1995 with eighteen holes and a third nine-hole tract was added to three years ago. The stark terrain was definitely a factor in the naming of the first two nines, Desperado and Diablo. The original tract can only be defined as the ultimate in target golf. The target is there in front of you, all green and inviting, but to miss the mark sends your ball off to the dramatic wasteland of arroyos, crevices, and rock-strewn desert expanses.
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Diablo Course Hole /1 The Wall Par 4 - 282 yards

Diablo Hole 6 Overlook, , Par 4 - 361 yards

Diablo Hole Tees

Diablo Hole 8 Boot Hill,  Par 5, 464 yards

Diablo Hole 9 Diamond back, Par 4 - 393 yards

The holes on the Outlaw Course are numbered 19 - 27 on the scorecard, though we will refer to them as holes 1 - 9 here. The opening hole is forgiving off the tee, with an uphill approach to a well-conditioned putting surface. The 2nd is a pretty par three with a tight green complex. There are bunkers right and little room left for error. The short par four third is quite open, except for 2 fairway bunkers left and 3 on the right. The approach is slightly uphill here. These three holes complete the easiest segment you will find at the Badlands. The fourth doglegs to the left, with a formidable water hazard on the right. Aim just left of the 150 stake and you will have an open approach. The next par four is extremely short (290 from the tips), but water right will discourage big hitters from going for the green off the tee. It is important to be on the correct potion of this undulating green. The 6th is a downhill, dogleg left par five , that can be reached in two if you cut off a little distance off the tee. The carry is longer than it seems over the desert left, so be careful here. A formidable water hazard is visible on the right, but there is also a pond left and another one just past the green. Number seven is open until about 170 yards away, then narrows for a demanding approach. The par three eighth is long from the tips and blues but very reasonable from the white tees. It plays downhill and usually with the prevailing wind. You will finish the Outlaw with the toughest hole of the layout. Nine plays downhill off the tee, snaking past a large pond on the left that runs all the way to the green from 140 out. Par is a great score coming in.

Outlaw Course Hole 1 Lone Star, Par 4 - 312 yards

Outlaw Hole 6 Six Shooter, Par 5 - 472 yards

Outlaw Hole 8 Hangman, Tees Par 3 - 166 yards

Outlaw Hole 9 Watering Hole, Par 5 - 460 yards

I really enjoyed playing this course. I played the Diablo (Well named ) and the Outlaw course. Both courses require target golf however i did find the Diablo much more difficult than the Outlaw. Can`t wait to play it again. I did shoot 93 on the course (Diablo 51, Outlaw 42).

I played this course again on January 9th, 2013. This time I played with 2 locals and shot from the blue tees. Big mistake, playing outside of your limitations.I shot a 98, lost 6 balls and swore that i should give up this game, just kidding , some days are good and some are bad, still beats working.

Death Valley, California

Furnace Creek Golf Course in Death Valley California (2003).

The 18-hole, par-70 Furnace Creek Golf Course is the world's lowest elevation golf course, at 214 feet below sea level. This is truly an oasis course, providing great California desert resort golf, a unique golf vacation and an ideal winter getaway.
Originally opened in 1931, the course underwent a major renovation in 1997 by world-renowned golf course architect Perry Dye. Due to the elevation of the course, slightly greater gravity and barometric pressure forces are present that add to the player's challenge. Frequent golfers have noticed a distinct difference in how the ball responds in relation to other courses at or above sea level.
Furnace Creek Golf Course was recently recognized by Golf Digest magazine in their list of "America's 50 Toughest Courses." 

We stayed overnight at the Furnace Creek Ranch so I could tee off early the next morning before it got too hot!!

I played this course in the early morning and had a pack of coyotes lying on a hill watching me hit my tee shot. As I walked up to my ball they got up, waited until I hit then crossed the fairway. It appears they were meeting their mates on the other side of a man made lake, looking to catch themselves a few fowl.

See other pictures of Death Valley taken on our trip in 2003:

http://junkboattravels.blogspot.ca/2010/09/sunday-skies-death-valley-ca.html

Wolf Creek, Mesquite, Nevada

Opened in 2000 and continues to raise the bar when it comes to golf excellence. The par-72, 7,018-yard layout mesmerizes and challenges players from start to finish, no matter your playing ability. Lush green fairways wind through the rugged desert terrain and elevated tee boxes greet players with immaculate views of the course. Wolf Creek’s stunning layout and the staff’s attention to every detail make a round of golf here memorable.This golf course lookd like it was dropped into the desert, with man made lakes and tee boxes 10 stories high.There's no question that Wolf Creek is one of the most gorgeous courses I've ever played. I expected it to be and it didn't let me down. Wolf Creek is a fun 18 hole regulation course located at the Wolf Creek Paradise Canyon facility in Mesquite, NV. The USGA also ranked Wolf Creek the 3rd most difficult course in America. The following site contains information about Mesquite, Nevada.
http://www.golfmesquitenevada.com/

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Wolf Creek is a gem. With it's canyon walls, lush fairways, and dramatic lakes and waterfalls. You will always remember your round at Wolf Creek with tee boxes that appear to be 10 stories high hitting down to wide, green fairways. The carries over canyon walls on a few holes are intimidating, yet you will feel empowered standing high above the fairway. The fairways are wide, the greens are not too fast, and the elevated tee boxes will allow you to hit drives 20 to 30 yards further than normal.

The day I played was a beautiful day. I had one of my worse games of the year and was shanking balls like I had never played before. Shot a miraculous 97.

There are five sets of tees from which to select, which is nice. For men, they even have recommended handicaps for each set. I highly recommend following those recommendations, especially if you're just visiting and only get to experience this course one time. You'll want a fond memory, not a day of struggles.
Hole descriptions were taken from the following source:http://www.galttech.com/research/sports/wolf-creek-golf-mesquite-nevada.php
Hole #1 Par 5, 504 yards (Hole Handicap #9)
As you come around the clubhouse area in your cart to the 1st tee, you will be inspired to see the beautiful landscape that surrounds this course. The elevated tee shot takes you down to a relatively flat fairway with your 2nd shot being an approach back up hill to this par 5. Long hitters may get there in 2, but I suggest a layup for an accurate 3rd shot to a narrow green that is deep. Par 5 should be a good score on this hole.

View of Hole #1 from the club house terrace

Hole #2 , Par 4, 429 yard, the toughest hole on the course (Hole Handicap #1)

Here comes the fun, this elevated tee shot (ETS) will give you a forced carry over a canyon and out to a fairway that seems miles away. Relax on the box, take out driver, and give it a whack. You can cut the corner on the left and still make it to the fairway if you can hit 250 plus. Otherwise, play to the center of the fairway and leave about 150 yards into the green. The only place not to miss on your approach is dead right with bunkers lined next to the green. The green slopes from back to front so don't go long. Par is definitely possible on this hole

Hole # 3, Par 3, 175 yards (Hole Handicap #7)
This uphill par 3 plays longer than the yardage and is intimidating since you have another forced carry over a ravine. Anything short will leave a difficult uphill pitch to a small green, but if you go long and a touch left your ball will carry into the desert/brush.

Hole #4, Par 4, 361 yards (Hole Handicap #15)
This par 4 is a little quirky, but make sure you hit an accurate shot off the tee looking only for placement. The fairway is pretty much straight ahead but narrow. The hole is quite short, so you will have a short approach if you just hit the fairway. Bunkers line the whole right side of the fairway all the way up to the green. The green is small but you can hit it and have a good chance at birdie on this hole.

Hole #5, par 5 464 yards (Hole Handicap #3)

More tee shot fun, this ETS puts you way above the fairway that doglegs sharp left after your tee shot. The hole is a par 5 so just try to get your first shot in play. You will be forced to carry a small stream some 200+ yards off the tee with no real layup zone between you and the stream area. The next shot will up hill towards the green, most likely a layup.

Hole #5 Beautiful background.

Hole #6, Par 4, 415 yards (Hole Handicap #11)
This par 4 can be tricky since club selection off the tee is crucial. Most hitters will layup short of the creek with a 3 wood or driver. Longer hitters may be able to carry the creek and put themselves into the green with a short iron. If you layup (good idea), you will be left with a long second shot to a green that slants back to front but is approachable. Bunkers wait for your errant shots on the left of the green. Being short on your approach is ok since a chip and putt is also a way to get a par on this one.

Hole # 8, Par 3, 215 yards (Hole Handicap #5). There's a creek on this hole that snakes around in front of and behind the green that epitomizes the use of the natural landscape in the smart architecture of the entire course. The green is surrounded by water in front, on the left and behind. There is really no place to miss. Choose your club wisely off the tee and a birdie may await.

Hole #9, Par 4, 303 yards.(Hole Handicap #17)
The fairway is big once you carry a lake off the tee. It's not a long hole, so you can hit driver, but may be better off with a 3 wood or long iron from the tee. The green is protected short right with a deep bunker. Par is very possible on this.

Hole #11, Par 3, 193 yards (Hole Handicap #16)

No elevation tee box here, you will be forced to hit up a hill towards a fairway that almost seems not to exist. The entire left side is rough and bunkers, so you have to hit to the right to get a ball onto the fairway. Your 2nd shot will continue to go slightly uphill to a green protected by a bunker on the right and many more on the left. If you hit the fairway on your first shot a par is possible, otherwise you will be fighting for bogey or more.

Hole #12, Par 5, 544 yrads (Hole Handicap #8)
Perhaps my favorite hole on the course. A long par 5 gives you wide fairway to hit to off the tee and it goes downhill as well. There is a beautiful lake on the left as you approach the green that put you into a wonderland of sorts. With the canyon walls, green fairway and blue lake, it's downright awesome. Layup with your 2nd shot and hit your 3rd to a fairly open green. Par is totally possible.

Hole #13, Par 4, 341yards (Hole handicap #14)
You can not see the green from this box and the fairway is almost hidden as well. You can hit towards the left for the safest shot or try your aim a touch right. There is a canyon wall that you will need to carry if you try to cut off more of this hole and go right off the fairway to the hidden fairway. We say stay left and then have only a short approach into a green that slants front to back. Try to leave an uphill put for a chance at birdie.

Hole #14, Par 4, 370 yards (Hole handicap #4).
The highest point on the course it appears. You are probably 8 stories up on this elevated tee box. Rumor has it that John Daly drove the green from here. For us mortals even hitting the fairway seems like a long way down. The entire left hand side of the hole is essentially bunkers, so stay right and hope for the best. Par is a good score.

Hole #15, Par 3, 126 yards (Hole Handicap #18)
A short par 3 that once again comes down to club selection. With a downhill tee shot, you will probably have nothing more than pitching wedge. Great chance at par and perhaps even a birdie on this one.

Hole # 16, Par 4, 385 yards (Hole Handicap #10)
A pretty good carry off the tee to a fairway that slopes a bit from left to right. The dogleg left puts a premium on a shot that ends up on the right side of the fairway for a view at the small green. Not a long hole, but you need to be strategic off the tee and with your approach to score well. Par is a good score here.

Hole #17, Par 5, 517 yards (Hole Handicap # 6 )
By this time you should be warmed up and ready to hit the drive of your life. The Par 5 is reachable in 2 if you hit a good tee ball. The ETS lets you drive to an open fairway with some bunkering on the right side. If you are forced to layup, you will have to carry a small stream to a zone about 110-140 yards from the green. Your 3rd shot will be forced to carry water again to a reasonable sized green that slopes back to front. A birdie is possible and par is a good score.

Picture of Heron sitting on top of the hill