DragonRidge Country Club

By Ron Reece, The Internet Golf Guy

One word describes this masterpiece: "Wow!" From the time you step to the first tee-box, to the last putt on the 18th green, your golf senses will be on overload as you experience one of the finest desert style golf courses in Las Vegas.

DragonRidge Country Club is a semi-private facility located in the foothills south of the Las Vegas strip. In only four years, the course already has won national acclaim for hosting TigerJam III and IV, and is considered by many golf publications to be among the top desert courses in the country. Surrounded by million dollar homes in the upscale McDonald Highlands community, DragonRidge has raised the bar in Las Vegas with a classic golf course and service that is second to none.

This course is long and tough, but if you can bring your "A" game to Las Vegas and a couple hundred bucks for golf -- this is the one to play. It measures about 7,000 yards from the tips, and carries a slope of 143. Quite obviously, the course should be reserved for the better, more discriminating player who desires to challenge a classic desert track that offers one fantastic hole after another. From the tee box, one must be long and accurate to have any chance; and don't forget your hiking boots if you can't find the fairway (and a couple dozen Titleists). However, the course is classic "risk-reward" with an emphasis on long irons and a good short game, and those who can play well from the tee-box and on approach shots will have a great opportunity to score well.

Once on the green, you will face a new challenge provided via undulations, severe breaks, difficult reads, and speedy surfaces that place a premium on solid putting. The player will simply not believe his eyes as he watches a put break in the opposite direction of a perceived read, which obviously takes some getting used to. If you can find your groove, however, you will be rewarded with some very good opportunities on greens that are as pure as it gets.

Unfortunately, DragonRidge Country Club has plans to become completely private in the future. Treat yourself to a fantastic golf experience the next time you are in Las Vegas -- while you still can!

Dragon Ridge Country Club : Course Info | Scorecard | Facilities | Maps & Directions