Golf course Review:  Royal Links Golf Tips by Burleson Consulting

 

The Royal Links in Las Vegas is a rare gem among the expensive and pretentious designer courses that dot the Las Vegas strip. Royal Links is an authentic reproduction of St. Andrews in Scotland, and its great fun to play.

 

Mere mortals may never get the change to make the pilgrimage to Edinburgh to play the ancient and royal St. Andrews old course, but this faithful reproduction gives golfers that flavor of the ancestral birthplace of golf.

The course is immaculate, and the world famous sand traps are reproduced in all of their agonizing glory.

In Las Vegas, the fall and early spring provide the best weather for golf (temperatures can reach 112 degrees in the summer), and the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas are ideal because the courses are not crowded.

The Royal links has a reasonable mockup of a traditional Scotch clubhouse and features a well-stocked pro shop with Calloway gear and top flight apparel. They also offer a well-stocked pub with authentic single malt whiskies and a friendly staff.

 

The Royal Links is a great value, one of the best of all Las Vegas courses, and it’s not intimidating to beginners. I love golfing in Scotland, and the locals are among the friendliest of all Europeans, but the average Scottish golfer is so good that they can intimidate the average American hacker. The Scotch play golf very efficiently, walking at a brisk pace and it’s not uncommon for them to finish 18 holes in less then three hours.

When conducting business meetings or entertaining clients, the Royal Links are ideal golf outing for players of all skill levels.

 

 

During non-peak times the course does not have the crowded feel of the expensive designer courses where you are timed on each hole, and anyone from scratch players to 40 handicappers will have a great time at Royal Links.

The rolling cadence of the course and the sand traps are huge fun for all, and it makes for a wonderful afternoon of business and pleasure.

 

The Royal Links are also a great value. If you tee off after 12:30 PM they offer an all-you-can-play twilight special (it gets dark at 4:30 PM), and if you tee off after 2:00 PM their “super twilight package at $75 allows you plenty of time to get in 9 holes before darkness falls.

 

The total cost for a foursome (souvenir caps, gloves, balls, cart rental and green fees) is under $700, one of the best values in Las Vegas. They have a great selection of rental clubs and they had no problem furnishing us with our Calloway set (X Series irons and drivers) and they even had our White Hot putters. The staff is attentive and friendly without being smothering.

The sunsets are spectacular and offer an amazing ending to a fun afternoon.
 

 

Play tips for Royal Links:

Hooks and slices are severely punished, and a 60% swing to keep you in the fairway to greatly reduce your score. The roughs consist of 2 foot deep grass, complete with Scotch heather, and an errant shot will almost always be unplayable.