 Rio
Secco Golf Club
By Ron Reece, The Internet Golf Guy
Quite simply, this is a Rees Jones masterpiece that sets the golf standard in Las Vegas. Home to the Butch Harmon School of Golf, this course provides players with breathtaking views of the valley from its' elevated tee-boxes, and a desert-style layout that is one of the best in town. One caveat: Rio Secco is a formidable test of skill. For the discriminating golfer who wants to experience a world-class round of golf, this is the one to play.
The course is tough. Measuring 7,332 yards and carrying a slope of 142 from the back tees, players are faced with seemingly endless challenges from the desert surroundings and strategically placed hazards. Most tee-boxes on the course are elevated, providing panoramic views of the valley (and headaches if you are not accurate). However, if you can take it deep from the box and stay consistent then you have a good chance of posting a relatively low score.
You know when you are watching a tournament on TV and a player hits a putt that keeps rolling, and rolling, and rolling until it slides off the green? Welcome to Rio Secco, home of the "slickest" greens in Las Vegas! Players must have a solid ability to read putts -- not just the line, but also the grain, slope and speed as it varies from one hole to the next. There are subtleties in the greens at Rio Secco that most players will have difficulty picking up the first time or two around the track, but once you figure them out, you are rewarded with putts that roll pure and true.
When Rio Secco opened in 1997, it was ranked in the top 10 in the country for new courses by a major golf publication. This distinction is well deserved and is definitely a must-play for players with game, and for those who don't mind shelling out the $225 green fee for a phenomenal round of golf.
| Holes |
18 |
| Architect(s) |
Rees Jones |
| Year Built |
1997 |
| Public/Private |
Resort |
| Guest Policy |
Closed |
| Credit Cards |
VISA, MasterCard,
Amex, Discover |
| Golf Season |
year round |
| Range |
Yes |
| Rental Clubs |
Yes |
| Pro In House |
Yes |
| Metal Spikes Okay |
No |
|
TEES
|
PAR
|
YARDS
|
SLOPE
|
USGA
|
|
Championship
|
72
|
7332
|
142
|
75.70
|
|
Middle
|
72
|
6946
|
138
|
74.00
|
|
Forward
|
72
|
5778
|
127
|
70.00
|
|
Other
|
72
|
6375
|
125
|
71.00
|
Rio Secco Golf Club : Course Info
| Scorecard | Facilities
| Maps & Directions
|
