The Las Vegas signature is opulence. It's hard to match that on the golf course—fairways are lined with trees and not gold—but that's just what they try to do at Bali Hai. It is a beautiful and spectacular course that will drop a golfer's jaw to the ground with it lush opulence and also challenge his abilities to score well on a very difficult course.
Size
Get ready for a challenge when you play this 7,002-yard, par-71 course. There are no shortage of hazards and bunkers throughout the course, but the back nine is especially difficult. Many golfers misjudge the course because the front nine is challenging but not impossible. The back nine pushes the golfer to his limits and can make him think about dinner and other activities later that night rather than the round he is playing.
Function
Unbutton your top button when teeing off on the 7th hole, a 550-yard par-5. This is a long hole that requires a solid drive and very accurate iron play the rest of the way. Many of the holes at Bali Hai play the same way. Hitting long is great, but this course will punish golfers who can't stay in the fairway and will reward those who hit irons accurately.
History
This course was designed in 2000 and is not yet fully mature. (Most courses don't reach that designation until they are 10 to 20 years old.) However, Bali Hai is memorable and lush. Even though it is in the middle of the desert there are more than 4,000 trees and 100,000 tropical plants. Out-of-play areas are designated by Augusta white sand and black volcanic rock.
Identification
In addition to being a beautiful golf course, Bali Hai is a vacation destination. For those who are planning a short stay, Bali Hai offers a three-day, two-night package at Mandalay Bay that also includes two rounds of golf for $599 per person. That's a reasonable deal for this highly rated course and outstanding resort.
Warning
It may be hard to concentrate on your golf game when staying at Bali Hai. The level of opulence can be distracting. Realize when you are about to go out for a round of golf that there's no reason to think about the size or glamour of the place and that you need to concentrate on your game.
Resources
