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Golf course Review: Royal Links
Golf Tips by Burleson Consulting
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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.
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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.
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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.
