Played TPC Las Vegas for the first time and it was a very challenging experience, not only because of the nature of how tough the course is, but also because of the heat and a strong furnace-blast win... Continue »

Played TPC Las Vegas for the first time and it was a very challenging experience, not only because of the nature of how tough the course is, but also because of the heat and a strong furnace-blast wind that made shots very difficult.

We played from the blue tees and this is most definitely not a walking course from that set of tee boxes. The carts are nicely appointed and there was cart service around a few times which was nice for a relatively quiet Wednesday afternoon. Driving range is very nice.

As far as the layout goes, I don't think there's a single hole here that lets you 'take a break.' On almost every hole is some fairly outrageous carry or a sliver of fairway with desert or canyon on either side of any wayward shots. Sight lines can be difficult here as well but luckily we paired up with the twosome behind us and got some local knowledge. That goes a long way. The course also has plenty of residential tight to it on a lot of holes, but it's not exactly way out by Coyote Springs or anything, so that's to be expected.

The course is also surprisingly hilly, but the main feature is the prominent canyon that runs between and alongside most holes on the back nine. There are also some surprising elevations that you would not expect on a flat desert course.

Conditions were about what you would expect from a TPC facility. Greens were very quick but ran true and held nice approach shots well. Not too many tricked out green complexes either, but certainly a challenge to stay away from any three-putts. I failed.

Fairways were in very nice shape with pretty perfect coverage from tee to green on every hole, while the rough was very lush and thick, but playable in most cases. Bunkers were a little bit of a letdown being somewhat granular and far from the fluffy white stuff you might expect at a place like this. Tee boxes were fine - some very aggressive lines from the blue tees.

All in all it was a very eye-opening experience and I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to play what I believe is my first TPC course. Knowing how the course plays in advance of the next time out will be of great benefit, but I also hope that the 20-30 hot wind gusts that bullied our round will be absent for the next time. It made an already tough course even tougher, but it was still a very good experience overall.