If you venture just a little away from the noise of the Strip, you'll find spacious and quiet green spaces in Las Vegas. They are golf courses.

As you stroll slowly through the golf course set in the middle of the desert, you realize that this city is not just a place of casinos and shows. After retiring, I started walking through the golf courses around Las Vegas, and I was surprised by the variety and high quality.

If you were to name the representative golf course of Las Vegas, TPC Las Vegas would certainly be at the top of the list.

This historic course has hosted several PGA Tour and Champions Tour events. It was co-designed by legendary golfer Raymond Floyd and course designer Bobby Weed, featuring deep bunkers that utilize the irregular terrain and strategically placed water hazards. The well-maintained greens and fairways are of a quality suitable for professional-level play. It ranks 17th among golf courses in Nevada for the 2025-2026 season.

Angel Park Golf Club has a slightly different character. Located a 15-20 minute drive from the Strip, it features two championship courses designed by Arnold Palmer: the Palm Course and the Mountain Course.

The Mountain Course offers stunning views of Red Rock Canyon and the Las Vegas skyline, making it enjoyable to walk and take in the scenery. Notably, there is a lighted par-3 course for night golf, which is popular among those looking to escape the heat and play in the evening. The atmosphere is welcoming for families and beginners, making it a favorite among Las Vegas residents.

If you're looking for a higher level of play, Shadow Creek Golf Club is an option. Operated by MGM Resorts, this ultra-private course is rarely open to the public and reservations are typically available only to guests of MGM properties. Designed by Louisiana-born golf course architect Tom Fazio, it features a unique layout that transforms the desert landscape into a lush environment with forests and waterfalls.

It consistently ranks first among golf courses in the Las Vegas area due to its high level of quality. Southern Highlands Golf Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., is also a prestigious course located within a residential community in southern Las Vegas. Walking through the golf courses in Las Vegas is a way to discover another side of the city. Taking the time to walk slowly while looking at the desert mountain scenery from the green grass is, in my opinion, an experience that is just as quintessentially Las Vegas as the glitz of the Strip.