HENDERSON, Nev. -- Here's an idea for the next time you land in Las Vegas: Rather than take an expensive taxi to your hotel on the strip, let Legacy Golf Club pick you up free in a courtesy golf shuttle, play 18 holes and then drive you to your hotel for check-in.
You've saved $40-$50 on airport cab fare and got in a little sunshine off the plane before you head to the casinos. That's smart Vegas travel. Save the bad decisions for the sportsbook later. Heck, why not do it again on departure day?
The Legacy recently added this golf shuttle to its fleet that, based on availability, will come pick up groups of a foursome or more once they've booked their tee time anywhere in the nearby Las Vegas area. Larger groups can even inquire about its 24- and 48-person passenger vans.
The golf course, located just east of Las Vegas in Henderson, is minutes from McCarran International Airport, so golfers can be on the first tee within an hour of touching ground.
The Legacy Golf Club: The course
The Legacy opened in 1990 and was designed by Arthur Hills. The course has four sets of tees and can play a strong 7,233 yards from the championship tees. It's well known as one of the area's top tournament venues as it hosted the U.S. Open Qualifier for 13 years straight.
Perhaps the most consistent design trait here are the rolling fairways that yield few flat lies. Not only are they undulating, green complexes are often slightly elevated or depressed, making approach shots require a good deal of touch. Downhill holes yield some beautiful views of the Las Vegas Strip, particularly the long, par-4 fourth hole that tumbles 451 yards downhill towards the Stratosphere.
You've probably seen pictures of Legacy's 10th hole before. The four tee boxes are all shaped as a different suit: spade, diamond, club and heart. Steer your attention upwards to the green, however, and you'll see a demanding shot full of more trouble than a dealer showing "Ace": desert washes, bunkers and a pretty tough, curvy green.
From here, golfers head under a tunnel and into the "Devil's Triangle," a three-hole stretch -- all par 4s -- that has become infamous for making or breaking rounds. After two long par 4s, the 13th is a short but sinister hole playing just 325 yards. Depending on the wind force and direction, it's either reachable off the tee or a really delicate lay-up shot to a partially-blocked landing area.
Get through this stretch, and two par 5s make for ample birdie opportunities on the closing five holes.
Legacy Golf Club: The verdict
With a championship-caliber design and private club-worthy facilities and management by O.B. Sports -- including a small army of club attendants at the bag drop and well stocked beverage cart gals on the course -- Legacy Golf Club is a solid pick among the Las Vegas golf scene's upper middle-class. Green fees, which include a golf cart and range balls, creep up more than $100 during peak times.
"I have played this course each of the last 10 years," GolfNow.com user u000002450628 wrote. "This year it was in great shape, fairways and the rough was well-manicured and tee boxes in good shape. I would recommend highly to the average golfer for a fun track to test ones skills."
Facilities at Legacy are excellent, home to a large driving range, multiple practice greens and a large clubhouse home to a full restaurant and bar. The menu in the clubhouse is great, serving both a full breakfast and lunch menu.
