The Wolf course, being dubbed as the most difficult course in the Las Vegas valley, is a golf lovers delight at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort.

Pete Dye thought of what creature a golfer would not want to come across in the desert (other than a rattle-snake) and that would be a wolf. That is a perfect name for this course, because it is scary and does make you feel like its teeth are snarling at you dripping with saliva. In other words, this track is tough. Utilizing every aspect of the desert landscaping, Wolf was designed to give the most skilled players a run for their money.

With the fairways being tight and the greens small, there is little room for error if you want a good score for your handicap. The natural desert wash areas are strategically used on each hole forcing long hitters to hit it straight or work the ball to find the short stuff.

The signature hole and the one you will always remember is number 15. It is a par-3 that plays 182 yards from the tips. Doesn’t sound tough huh, how about a true island green to go along with that?

Not hard enough, how about a three-tiered greenfor ridiculously hard putts. Even though the green is generous in size, for some reason the island green makes it look smaller. This hole is picture worthy.

The Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort is located roughly 30-40 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. This is a full featured resort including all of the normal amenities: driving range, chipping and putting greens, full bar and restaurant, generous sized golf shop, and full banquet or reception accommodations.

The course is designed with rye fairways, fescue rough, and bentgrass greens. The greens come with moderate to severe breaks and undulations. Enjoy your round at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort.

Photo: Pinehurst Resort

As the hot weather of summer is behind us, many golfers prefer the cooler, autumn temps to play a round of golf.

Preferred Golf has put together a list of luxury golf packages that are sure to please any avid golfer.

If you are a Preferred Golf member, then you will also get a 10% discount, in addition to upgraded accommodations.

La Quinta Resort & Club – La Quinta, California
“Desert Links” package rates start at $150 per room, per night (based on double occupancy) and include:
– Overnight accommodations in a standard casitas, suites or villas
– Unlimited golf on five resort courses at La Quinta Resort & Club® and PGA WEST® (The TPC Stadium Course was named the 4th Toughest Course in America by Golf Digest and the Mountain Course was named one of the 100 Best Resort Courses by Golfweek
– $25 Resort Credit
– All Resort Fees Waived
– Offer is valid through 2011 and based on availability

Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa – Galena, Illinois
“Hole in One” package rates start at $129 per person, per night (based on double occupancy) and include:
– Accommodations in an Inn room
– One round of 18-hole golf
– Breakfast buffet in Woodlands Restaurant
– Golf cart and range balls
– Offer is available Sunday-Thursday, valid through 2011 and based on availability

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa – Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
“Pick your FREE: FREE 2 Rounds of Golf” package starts at $175 per person, per night (based on double occupancy) and include:
– One night stay in a deluxe guest room (double occupancy)
– Two FREE rounds of golf on The Brute or The Highlands courses per room
– 30% discount on any spa service at WELL Spa + Salon
– Cart fee, club storage and complete use of practice facility with range balls provided
– Offer is available Sunday -Thursday only, valid until the end of golf season 2010 and based on availability

Pinehurst Resort – Pinehurst, North Carolina
Special golf offer starts at $359 per person, per night (based on double occupancy) and include:
– Nightly accommodations in the Holly Inn
– One round of golf per night
– Daily breakfast
– Offer is valid through 2011 and based on availability

Don’t forget to also plan your next “Buddy Trip” with Preferred Golf as you receive a free one-year membership to Preferred Golf ($295 value) for each of your buddies when you book any group package!

Enjoy complimentary personal VIP golf assistance to customize your trip at participating Preferred Hotel Group hotels and resorts.

For additional information, please visit www.PreferredGolf.com/grouptrips

Badlands Golf Club more than lives up to its name. The three nines of this Johnny Miller/Chi Chi Rodriguez design weave through deep canyons. Whether it’s the Outlaw, the Desperado or the Diablo nine, Badlands gives players shotmaking challenges.

The 27 holes offer dramatic shot values, so no matter which 18 holes golfers play, it will be a very memorable outing. Four sets of tees make the course playable for beginners to pros — just make sure to select the right set of tees for your handicap.

On the Desperado nine, the eighth hole, a 196-yard par 3, is a knee-knocker. Players face a tee shot that carries over a deep ravine. Shots short or right will wind up in the ravine, making a drop almost a necessity. Par here is a good number. If you wind up with a birdie on this tough hole, you’ve earned your bragging rights.

On the Diablo nine, the 389-yard, par-4 15th brings out the best — and sometimes the worst — in players. There are a pair of ways to attack this hole: Play conservative and hit the fairway to the left or — and here’s the tricky shot — grab the big stick and carry the ravine and take a short wedge into this green. This is another hole where a birdie is a possibility, but more often than not, par is a fine score.

On the Outlaw nine, the 27th hole — the grand finale — is everything a finishing golf hole should encompass. There’s challenge (511-yard, par 5), and it’s got risk/reward (go for it in two and try to avoid a watery grave). This hole will let golfers rip it off the tee, but then comes the dilemma.

A carry of 240 yards or so will get golfers onto the green, but there is a catch — anything less is wet. Playing conservative will leave players with a short iron into a green giving them a shot at a closing birdie — always a great way to head to the clubhouse.

This course is a solid test of golf and offers a rugged look at the beauty of the desert — a nice combination that will bring golfers back for more.  Source

Avid golfers know that it’s a challenge to play 18 holes during Winter, without braving the unpredictable elements of Mother Nature.  Fret no more.  As luck would have it, some of the U.S.’s finest golf resorts lie south of the winter golf border.   Several golf travel experts offered Forbes Traveler their top 10 picks.

There are many luxury golf resorts to stay at. If you want to play 18 holes and have a great VIP experience, do your research and look for luxury travel deals to match your budget.

From the northernmost course, Pinehurst in the lush, Sandhills region of North Carolina, to La Quintain Palm Desert California, to the Plantation Course at Kapalua, Hawaii …. there is something memorable for any golfer.  Full article