Played in a charity scramble on Monday, 9/20. Outside staff was humming along as they grabbed bags and had them on the carts ready to go for 144 playe... » More

Played in a charity scramble on Monday, 9/20. Outside staff was humming along as they grabbed bags and had them on the carts ready to go for 144 players with a shotgun start. Staff had us at our assigned holes and we teed off a couple of minutes early.

Course is in great late summer shape. Tee boxes were moved forward and back from the normal White tee areas and I liked the different set up. Fairways were fast with run but still lush. Rough was about 1-2 inches above the fairway. No comment on the sand but it was well groomed. Greens were really good, medium fast, and a bit soft. Unfortunately some have not been repairing their ball marks, scaring the surface.

Reflection Bay has been one of the favorite courses and it did not disappoint. Its the perfect time to get out and play.
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Played on Friday, 8/27 for the first time in forever on the home course with John_T and his dad. Paid $49 with the OB card. Easy check in. John grabbe... » More

Played on Friday, 8/27 for the first time in forever on the home course with John_T and his dad. Paid $49 with the OB card. Easy check in. John grabbed a wrap and some drinks in the grill then headed to the starter, who got us off about 20 minutes early. Felt like we were alone until we hit the groups on 9, finishing our front in about 1.5 hours. The back was a bit slower, taking just over 2 hours, but still a sub 4 round on a very hot day. Drink cart was around twice on both nines, and the snack shack was open on 6/15 even late in the afternoon.

Course is prepping for reseed, closing on in 10 days (9/7). Tee boxes a bit on the shaggy side and I wished they would level them out one day. While the course is starting to dry out and get down, the fairway conditions were really good. Dry and fast, but definitely not thin or bare. Plenty of run making me love some afternoon golf. Rough has been cut has they reseed the rough along with the fairway, so it's just long enough to give definition but not stopping anything hot from rolling into the desert areas. Greens were a bit soft, saw lots of unfixed marks, and a bit bumpy in the afternoon. They were running a bit slower, but normal summer speed.

Mountain should be good for another week then I would wait a few weeks after the reseed. Still decent bargain since the courses are usually in above average conditions.
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Played on Sunday, 8/15. Feels like its been some time since i've been out at AP and was really feeling a need to play Palm, a fun, shortish, par 70 co... » More

Played on Sunday, 8/15. Feels like its been some time since i've been out at AP and was really feeling a need to play Palm, a fun, shortish, par 70 course with 5 par 3s (4 over trouble) and 3 par 5s (2 absolutely go for it in 2 with a good drive). Paid $52 with the OB card and fairly warned of reseed prep work as the course will be closing in a week or so.

Despite the prep, the course was really playable with dry but lush fairways with a fair amount of run but thick conditions underneath. Rough has been cut down to basically fairway height so anything on the sides have the chance of running into the desert. Bunkers were OK, I did just chip from 2 green side, long shots I did not want to mess with a traditional sand shot. I do wish they level off the tee boxes, probably the biggest complaint. Greens ran smooth but a bit slow, so firm shots were nicely rewarded.

I love Palm as it's my go to when I've posted a few high scores and need an ego boost. If the game is "almost there" or absolutely on you will score well, but a bit off and you'll pay. Love it in my normal rotation and one of those courses you just go for it on every shot.
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Played Friday, 8/13 with the GK Gurus. Fun round with John_T, Famed02, and Brett. Its been 3 years since I was last here, and I was happy to be back. ... » More

Played Friday, 8/13 with the GK Gurus. Fun round with John_T, Famed02, and Brett. Its been 3 years since I was last here, and I was happy to be back. As we arrived, we turned into the upper parking lot instead of the lower lot for golf, but the cart attendant drove up to grab our clubs. The clubhouse has the feel of a private or high end resort course, with a full locker room that includes sitting areas and showers.

Course has a full grass driving range, but it was closed for maintenance, and a large putting green that was consistent with the course. The course was in really nice shape for the dog days of summer and a very active monsoon season this year. Tee boxes were a little fuzzy, but level, with almost no divot damage. Fairways are a browning Bermuda, but lush, with no thin or dead areas. Rough was about 2 inches, just enough to cause some issues with the ball sitting down. Greens were running at a medium speed, but faster than past summers. There were a few with signs of a recent aeration, but they rolled smooth.

On the "extras" side, they have gas powered carts (with no governor?) with a GPS screen showing distance to the flag. For some reason, the screen is not visible through polarized lens (I kept thinking it turned off). No on course drink cart, but there's a snack shack located near the 1st/10th tee area. My only issues were canned bloody marys and she was on a break when we made the turn, however, we called the shop and they ran out our order while on the 11th hole. We had lunch in the restaurant after, with a large menu and a large draft beer selection. Service from start to finish was great and equaled the private/high end club feel.

I loved the course design. The course is routed through the hills above the Colorado River and has lots of elevation changes. I don't think there's more than 2 flat holes, almost every hole is uphill or down. The greens match the course's elevation changes, plenty of swales and undulations. There's a nice mix of short risk/reward and long holes. There's a sub 300 yard par 4 on each 9, but both are uphill and require a drive over rocky terrain if you try to take the direct line, and lots of bunkers in the way. There's some elevated greens with false edges, where a short shot will roll back 20 yards.

Overall, well worth a trip from Vegas and a must play if you're in the Laughlin area.
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Played on Friday, 7/30, with an 11am tee time, with Famed02, John_T, and Larry. Thanks to the Royal Links certificate Ed won during GK Plays Vegas. <... » More

Played on Friday, 7/30, with an 11am tee time, with Famed02, John_T, and Larry. Thanks to the Royal Links certificate Ed won during GK Plays Vegas.

Service was great. Food and Beverage prices are really good for a resort course. Drink Cart was around 4 times including her "last call." Starter let us out early and it was almost like the whole course was to ourselves, only waiting on 7 for the group ahead (thinking they stopped by the clubhouse as they drove by). We played a combo routing of mostly Gold (6600), but Ruby (5900) on the top 4 Handicap holes, which comes out to about 6300 yards. Finished in the typical 4:30ish hours.

Course is just absolutely lush. While I enjoy the firm and fast winter conditions, the course is just super green right now. Fairways are carpet like with no bare/thin areas. Bunkers are a bit tough, deep and small with a thin amount of sand. Balls rolled to the front wall and just settled with almost no shot of going forward to get out. The rough is just brutal right now. Thick, juicy, and about mid calf high in length. If you go into it off the tee, go ahead and play a provisional because it's probably lost or so unplayable it'll take 3 to get out. Very British Open like. Greens were a little soft and receptive with the recent rains, rolled smooth and medium speed.

With the rumors of it's demise greatly exaggerated, Royal Links is in the best condition I've seen it. Definitely worth looking at if in Vegas for a long weekend.
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