Aliante golf is an exciting and challenging course that stretches more than 7,000 yards from the back tees. The presence of the meandering arroyo that comes into play on 14 holes causes the golfer to feel slightly elevated, providing interesting contours and unique playing lies and angles.
The course is highlighted by two water features, generous landing areas, and strategic use of trees that are not commonly found in most desert courses, such as Pear and Purple Locust trees. True to his design philosophy, Panks has once again fashioned a golf course that will challenge the expert to utilize every club in the bag while providing an enjoyable experience for the novice golfer.
The opening hole at Aliante Golf Club is a good beginner – a fairly short par four playing to a wide and slightly rolling fairway. The second is the # 1 handicap and the longest four par on the course at 472 yards, but presents wide landing areas on the fairway and around the green. The mountain backdrop here is frame-able, as it is on the par five 3rd. Be careful off the tee here, as a desert wash crosses about 260 out. The approach is uphill with plenty of room for error past and around the putting surface. There is about 15 yards of fairway between the desert area and green on the score-able par three 4th, which precedes the shortest par four on the course. Long hitters may be able to drive the green, but a bunker complex short left makes a lay up and wedge approach more advisable. If short of the green on the long par three 6th, your ball will roll down into the collection area, making an up and down a tough proposition. From behind the green on 7, the snow capped peak of Mt Charleston can be seen in the distance. There is lots of room from tee to green on this long four par. The par five 8th also provides a generous fairway, with the approach playing slightly uphill to a putting surface guarded by traps on each side. Ditto for nine, which also demands an approach to a raised green.
The tenth fairway slopes left to right with an approach from the right side the recommended play. From beautifully landscaped tee boxes, the par five eleventh demands a tee shot over a pond to a wide fairway, with an approach best played from the left side. Twelve is long but wide open, with plenty of room for error in the mounding around the green. Thirteen is a long par three that is a tough hole when the wind is up (233 yards from the tips). If you miss into the collection area short right, an up and down will be difficult. A desert wash will effect the approach to the green on the par five 14th, as this hazard crosses about 80 yards in front. Played as a three shot hole, a good score can be had. 15 is a beautiful and well bunkered par three, which again presents a tough up and down for shots landing in the collection areas or greenside traps. From an elevated tee, number 16 leads to a well bunkered fairway with a desert wash crossing in front of the putting complex- A tee shot placed to the 70-80 yard area will play nicely, but be careful if the wind is behind you as the downhill roll may take your ball all the way to the hazard. This is a tough par if the pin placement is back right.
The fairway is wide on 17, but anything hit right will be lost in the desert. Unfortunately, the approach must be made from that side, as a deep bunker protects the entrance front left. The landscaping here includes a beautiful little waterfall and stream which compliments a great desert mountain background. Number 18 is a good closing hole – a par four with a desert wash crossing the fairway about 70 yards out.
The practice facility features an expansive driving range, putting green, chipping green and practice bunker.
The clubhouse at Aliante Golf Club features a well appointed pro shop, bar and grill with breakfast and lunch items, plus an outdoor pavilion with spectacular views of the course and the nearby Sheep Mountains. The landscaping near the clubhouse and practice green is exceptional.
