Drive to southern Nevada to play the beautiful Black Mountain Golf Course in Henderson. This started off as a 9-hole course in 1958 and the golf course's founders decided to expand it to 18 holes in 1963. In 2002, the members added a third 9-hole course, and each 18-hole round is made up by playing two of the three 9-hole courses.
Step 1: Start off on the Founders' course. This is the original part of the course that was built in 1957, the third-oldest course in the Las Vegas Valley. It is a very challenging test, especially coming right out of the chute. The first three holes test a player's ability to keep the ball straight and hit it far. The second hole is a 430-yard par 4 that demands great distance off the tee and on the fairway because the shot is usually hit into a headwind.
Step 2: Play the Horizon course and really let it go from the tee. While the Founders' course calls for a lot of tight shots and demands accuracy, the Horizon course is basically wide open. It rewards those who can hit long and accurately off the tee. There are quite a few birdie holes on the Horizon course and several challenges as well. The 544-yard fifth hole is a demanding par 5. The golfer will go out of bounds if he hits it too far left and his ball will fly into the desert if he pushes it to the right. The green is surrounded by two bunkers and a water hazard.
Step 3: The Desert course opened nearly three decades after the Horizon course and it creates a whole different set of circumstances for the golfer. Instead of being able to go out and pound it as at the Horizon course, the golfer must be precise and creative on the Desert course. There are several challenges throughout, but the 9th hole is perhaps the most demanding. It's a par 5 with plenty of hazards, and the green is very difficult to negotiate.
Step 4: Residents of Henderson will play the Black Mountain Golf Course for the bargain price of $50 at selected times of the year, while non-residents are asked to pay $95. Bargain prices are available if you tee off after 12:30 p.m. Black Mountain is an incredible bargain for young golfers. Juniors only have to pay $15 if they choose to walk and are charged another $16 if they decide to take a cart.
Resources
- — Black Mountain Golf Course
