Challenge Your Golf Game At Stallion Mountain

Where: 5500 East Flamingo Road [map], 89122

As we were walking off the 18th green at Stallion Mountain on a recent wind-chilled Wednesday afternoon, we couldn't help, but reflect upon a passage from Tom Doak's The Anatomy of a Golf Course. To paraphrase, Doak makes the case that any good course should feature a stiffer challenge on the 17th hole as opposed to the 18th in order to provide players who are trailing in their match one last chance at pulling even without making the tract's closing hole too difficult for the average golfer to enjoy.

Located approximately eight miles from The Strip in east Las Vegas, Stallion Mountain Golf Club takes this advice to heart with a dynamic 1-2 punch to cap off a solid 18-hole experience. The 196-yard Par-3 17th features a multi-tiered green with a tee shot that must carry an intimidating, yet aesthetically pleasing, water hazard. It also offers a bailout area for the timid on the right, as well as a challenging opportunity for pin-seekers to showcase their iron play.

Meanwhile, the 550-yard, Par-5 18th is designed to send you off in style as the hole features a slight dogleg right that plays along a lake with bunkers lining the opposite side. A well-placed tee shot is important, but what will really test your mettle is the daunting approach into a multi-tiered green with a preceding fairway that bottlenecks as it approaches the landing zone. There's water on the right and sand on the left. Challenging? You bet. But, if our two-man scramble team was able to make birdie to card a two-over, 74 for the day, you're more than capable of accomplishing the same.

The 7,351-yard layout was designed by 8-time PGA Tour winner Jim Colbert and architect Jeff Brauer and has played host to the Tour's Las Vegas Invitational, the Golf Channel's Big Break II and the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Classic. That kind of resume should tell you something.

But that's not to say there aren't a few minor drawbacks. The start of the back-9 plays tight to the road leading up to the clubhouse, which can cause some slight congestion due to any cars that may be making their way on or off the property. There's also a horse complex nearby (hence the name, Stallion Mountain) that can, at times, give you a whiff of you know what. And, for those of you who may be a tad inconsistent off the tee, we recommend dialing back on the driver in order to prevent sending an errant tee shot from flying through some poor guy's backyard.

All in all, Stallion Mountain was a good time with an impressive 38,000-square-foot clubhouse and an extremely courteous and knowledgeable staff. The practice facilities were sufficient and the course itself was in terrific shape, with lush fairways and very well maintained putting surfaces.

You'll be challenged at Stallion Mountain, but not to the point where the average golfer will feel overwhelmed. There are plenty of par opportunities to be had while enjoying a relatively quiet and peaceful afternoon. This is a good place for vacationing mid-to-high handicappers to have a fun time.

ADDRESS: 5500 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89122

CONTACT: 702-547-6250

WEBSITE: Click here

DIRECTIONS FROM THE STRIP: Very simple. Just jump on Flamingo Road (runs adjacent to Bellagio and Bally's) and head east for about eight miles. Stallion Mountain will be on your left.

RATES: From $49-$99 depending upon time of day and day of week

RATING/SLOPE

Black: 74.8/134 (7,351 yards)
Silver: 72.1/126 (6,914 yards)
White: 69.0/123 (6,378 yards)
Gold: 70.9/121 (5,747 yards)

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