Las Vegas: A photogenic desert golf destination

LAS VEGAS -- It's no gamble when you make a tee time somewhere around Sin City. You're a sure winner with so many fine golf courses as options. There's so much to do along the Las Vegas Strip that golf sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. Don't make that mistake.

Tom Fazio's Wynn Golf Club and Rees Jones' Cascata are two of the most prestigious tee times in the country. Caddies are excellent tour guides to decipher their challenges. Slick greens define Cascata, located in Boulder City -- 22 miles from the Strip. The Wynn builds to a climax on the par-4 18th, where a waterfall roars behind the green.

The three Walters Golf courses -- Desert Pines Golf Club, Royal Links Golf Club and Bali Hai Golf Club -- offer a trio of unique experiences. Desert Pines feels like the Carolinas, Bali Hai like the tropics, and Royal Links like Scotland. Talk about jet lag.

It's do or Dye time at Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, where three Pete Dye designs -- the Snow Mountain Course, Sun Mountain Course and Wolf Course -- will keep golfers entertained. Bear's Best Las Vegas delivers 18 of the best holes designed by Jack Nicklaus during his illustrious career. And don't forget the TPC Las Vegas, a brand known for good golf and even better service and amenities.

Wynn Golf Club - hole 10

The 10th hole is the hardest of Wynn Golf Club's two par 5s.

Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf

Cascata golf course - hole 17

The downhill 17th at Cascata plays 489 yards, the longest par 4 on the golf course.

Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf

Royal Links Golf Club - No. 18

Players must carry two bunkers, including the replica of the famous Road Hole, on the par-4 18th at Royal Links Golf Club in Las Vegas.

Courtesy of Royal Links G.C.

Bali Hai Golf Club - No. 18

The Pacific-themed Bali Hai Golf Club is right on the Las Vegas Strip.

Courtesy of Bali Hai G.C.

Desert Pines Golf Club - holes 7, 8 and 16

There are three greens -- the seventh, eighth and 16th -- right next to each other and separated only by water at Desert Pines Golf Club.

Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf

TPC Las Vegas golf course - hole 10

The TPC Las Vegas is among the best golf courses in Sin City.

Courtesy of TPC Las Vegas

Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort - Wolf Course

The Wolf Course at Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort is a challenge.

Courtesy Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort

Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort - Snow Mountain Course

The Snow Mountain Course at Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort has hosted the ESPN National Golf Challenge.

Courtesy of Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort

Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort - Sun Mountain Course

The demanding par-3 fourth hole on the Sun Mountain Course at Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort requires a long carry over water.

Courtesy of Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort

Bear's Best Las Vegas - No. 10

The 10th hole at Bear's Best Las Vegas was inspired by The Club at PGA West in La Quinta, Calif.

Courtesy of Club Corp.