Located less than 20 short minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, the castle-style clubhouse hosts a nationally recognized Golf Shop, which was ranked as one of “American’s Best 100 Golf Shops” in 2004 & 2005 by GolfWorld Business. It is stocked with name brand apparel, equipment, quality art and collectables. The Royal Links Golf Club offers the unique opportunity to experience the best 18 hole of the Open rotation. Playing to 7,029, with a Slope/Rating of 135/73.7 this course can be a test for any golfer. Luckily there are four set of tees and when played from the appropriate set for your game, this is one of the most memorable rounds of golf you will ever experience.
Think about it, the next time you are watching the Open on television with your buddies, you are guaranteed the opportunity to say, “Hey, I played that hole in Las Vegas.” Royal Links Golf Club is also home to the beautiful ParMates – a female caddy service that was designed to add a unique extra experience to your round of golf.
Pete Dye was hired to recreate some of the most famous holes from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean in an effort to give patrons a chance at playing these storied holes. While you won’t have the coastal winds, you’ll still have plenty of sand and the design elements that have made these holes so impressive. Golfers are given the opportunity to hit the “Postage Stamp” green replicated from Royal Troon, attack the long dogleg left 15th from Carnoustie, and challenge the “Road Hole” from St. Andrews. It’s a unique experience and a chance to play a course in Las Vegas that isn’t overdone with unnatural features but you are sure to discover some hidden bunkers and fescue that even the pros would struggle to get out of. While the course can’t offer the setting, scenary, and history of Scotland or England, it is a chance to discover some of the great architectural features found there.
Signature Hole: 10th – 466 Yard Par 4 – The most famous hole on the other side of the pond is also the signature hole at Royal Links; the world renowned Road Hole. Featured as the 17th hole at St. Andrews, the Road Hole at Royal Links is the opening hole on the back nine and the most memorable on the property. Rather than a hotel to aim for over the right corner, golfers are faced with a large scoreboard that protects the ideal line over the dogleg. With the short stone wall framing the hole and the Road Hole Bunker awaiting ill fated approach shots, this replica is a joy to play.
Conclusion: A theme course like Royal Links is a perfect fit for the fantasy land of Las Vegas. In a town that features replicas of the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, and the Trevi Fountain, it is only fitting that a golf course that replicates famous holes from Europe would be built in Sin City. Unfortunately the setting and terrain of the desert isn’t a great fit for these links course inspired legends which detracts from the overall experience that is trying to be accomplished. All in all, the course is a fun novelty but it is certainly no substitute for a trip across the pond.
