Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

200
CHAPTER 7 . WHAT TO SEE & DO IN LAS VEGAS
Yardage: 6,511 championship, 6,135 regular, and 5,458 ladies.
Facilities: Driving range, putting and chipping greens, PGA teaching pro,
pro shop, restaurant, and cocktail lounge.
5483 Clubhouse Dr. (3 blocks west of Nellis Blvd., off Sahara Ave.).& 702/431-4653. Greens fees $33–$79;
some packages include cart rentals.
Las Vegas National Golf Club This is an 18-hole (about eight with water
on them), par-71 public course, and a classic layout (not the desert layout you’d
expect). If you play from the back tees, it can really be a challenge. The 1996 Las
Vegas Invitational, won by Tiger Woods, was held here. Discounted tee times are
often available. Reservations are taken up to 60 days in advance; a $5 to $7 fee
applies.
Yardage: 6,815 championship, 6,418 regular, and 5,741 ladies.
Facilities: Pro shop, golf school, driving range, restaurant, and cocktail
lounge.
1911 Desert Inn Rd. (between Maryland Pkwy. and Eastern Ave.). & 702/734-1796. Greens fees $135–
$175, some including cart rental.
Royal Links Golf Club Finds More than just greens and water traps, Royal
Links is an 18-hole, par-72 course designed to simulate play on some of the
greatest courses in the British Open tour. St. Andrews Road Hole, the Postage
Stamp at the Royal Troon in Scotland, and a dozen others are all faithfully
re-created here for a unique game and an interesting history lesson.
Also fun is the clubhouse, designed (of course) to resemble a medieval castle,
complete with an English pub inside.
Yardage: 7,029 championship, 6,602 regular, and 5,864 ladies.
Facilities: Pro shop, golf school, driving range, restaurant, and cocktail
lounge.
5995 E. Vegas Valley Rd. (east of Boulder Hwy., between Flamingo and Sahara). & 702/450-8000. Greens
fees $135–$275.
7 Staying Active
You need not be a slot-hypnotized slug when you come to Vegas. The city and
surrounding areas offer plenty of opportunities for active sports. In addition to
many highly rated golf courses (described above), just about every hotel has a
large swimming pool and health club, and tennis courts abound. All types of
watersports are offered at Lake Mead National Recreation Area; there’s rafting
on the Colorado, horseback riding at Mount Charleston and Bonnie Springs,
great hiking in the canyons, and much, much more. Do plan to get out of those
smoke-filled casinos and into the fresh air once in a while. It’s good for your
health and your finances.
Note: When choosing a hotel, check out its recreational facilities, all listed in
chapter 5.
BOWLING The Castaways Hotel & Casino, 2800 E. Fremont St. (& 702/
385-9123), is famous for housing the largest bowling center in North America
(106 lanes) and for being the oldest stop on the Professional Bowlers Tour. A
recent renovation has made its premises bright and spiffy. Open 24 hours.
Gold Coast Hotel, 4000 W. Flamingo Rd. (at Valley View; & 702/367-
7111), has a 72-lane bowling center open 24 hours a day.
The Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. (& 702/365-7111), has 70 lanes, a
pro shop, lockers, meeting rooms, and more. Open 24 hours.