Our round at TPC Las Vegas took more than 5 hours, longer than a routine colonoscopy including waiting time for the anesthesia to wear off. Those who know me know that slow play is the kiss of death for my game. It's like sitting in an armchair and getting up to take a shot every 15 minutes. After awhile, your muscles get stiff. Torpor sets in. And all you can do is watch the slow OMGs in the group ahead as they shuffle feebly toward their ball. Think slugs slithering toward a dewdrop.
The ranger was unapologetic, but of course they must cater to their local clientele, their bread and butter. Why should they care whether a couple of out-of-towners are slowly sprouting new gray hairs over the course of 18 holes?
As always, I tried to look at the bright side. The sun was shining and I had time to take lots of pictures.
TPC Las Vegas is an undeniably pretty course.
Conditions were impeccable, with greens super-fast and true, which is to be expected at a PGA Tour venue.
Of course there are some tough holes. Here's one of the signature holes, a par 3 called "Canyon." I made a par, but only because it's just 110 yards from the forward tees. From the tips, it's almost a 200-yard carry.
The finishing hole is in view of the clubhouse terrace. I flew my approach to the rear of the green and had to take the walk of shame. Oh well, it wasn't the first time.
Bali Hai Golf Club was the second course we played. It is also a really pretty course. It was faster round, even though we had a group of 8 women playing in front of us on what seemed to be some kind of girls' trip. I noticed they drank a lot of beer. They had a forecaddie and I think he had them picking up their balls a lot to keep the pace of play. One benefit of having a group of women in front of me is I can see where their balls land and adjust accordingly. On a long par 3, for example, I saw two women hit into a huge bunker. It drew attention to the fact that the hole sloped steeply uphill, so even though the scorecard gave the yardage as 160, it played longer. On my turn, I clubbed up to driver and made it on the green.
For a desert course, Bali Hai has some surprisingly picturesque water features.
It's on the Vegas Strip, so you can see casino hotels from the fairways.
The famous Vegas sign is across the street. On one of the holes, you get a view of it over the fence.
Because it's Vegas, there's a little gambling built in. On one of the par 3 holes, you can place a bet for any amount of money. If you make the green on your tee shot, you win double the amount to spend in the pro shop. If you miss, you still get the amount you bet to spend in the pro shop. I wagered $10 and missed the green. I bought a $10 ball marker and clip in the pro shop. I would have bought this as a souvenir anyway, so it was a win-win for me.
At Bali Hai, the 16th hole (a par-3 island green) is in view of the clubhouse patio. Even though no one was on the patio watching, I made a mess of this hole. First, I hit my tee shot into the bunker. Then I hit all ball out of the bunker and rolled off the edge of the green into the water on the other side. Then I had to take a drop and chip up. Then I three-putted and carded a 7. At least no one was watching.
After the round, hubby and I sat on the patio facing this green so we could watch others coming up. Finally, I saw a golfer make the exact same error that I did. Vindication at last.
Between the two courses, I would play Bali Hai again. I liked the way the fairways tended to slope inward, bringing the ball toward the middle, even on wayward shots. With the way my game has been going lately, it's always nice when the odds are a little in my favor.
