Desert Pines -end of June

We will be playing there in 3 weeks. There are some great early morning prices. half the reg rate if you tee it up before 6am. what kind of shape is it in, and how early is it light enough to play at end of June.

It gets light fairly early, so assuming you don't get a 4am teetime you'll be ok. They won't book you too early. I've haven't played there in a while. so I can't say about conditions. In the past it's usually been in good shape and I've never seen it in bad condition. Be sure to bring your set of clubs that hit it straight. Out of curiousity, what rate are they giving you?

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

on ezlinks, they quote a $60 rate before 6am on a tuesday, which is probably when Ill play

That rate's ok, but you could probably get a later time for about $15 more. Also this time of year in LV, most courses start twilite at about 11am, so that might be about the same as playing before 6am. You might check the Walters Golf website to see what standard low season rates are. Unless you don't mind playing that early, in which case you're all set.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

earlier the better this time of year, because of temps. we'll be done by 11am latest, just when its getting sticky.

I've never worried too much about summer temps. I figure that once you hit 95 or a 100, it's all about the same. In LV you're riding a cart and you should be drinking a ton of water no matter what time you play. If you do this and avoid booze until you're done, temps probably won't bother you. bWe played Tuscany four or five years ago on the day they set a new record high. At the airport it measured 117 and out toward Lake Las Vegas where we were, they said it hit 121!!!!! It wouldn't have been too bad if the group in front of us was quicker or would have let us play through (just two of us). On top of this it was probably the only day I've ever seen in LV where not even a hint of a breeze existed. While waiting between shots we got in the habit of doing 50 yard circles just to get some breeze! Quite the day.

Enjoy your round and be sure to give us a report on how you liked DPs and how conditioning was.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

will do! Also playing Rio secco and will report

Sorry for late report, but Im still licking my wounds from horrendous gambling trip.
Ending up playing DP at 6am for $60. What a beautiful course. It was in fine shape.
We finished about 11am as it hit 100 degrees. With the little breeze, it wasnt too bad, but I wouldnt want to tee off later in that heat. Course was well watered, and greens were true.

We played Rio Secco the next day. WOW what views from the course. My views are, that you need to play it once to figure out where not to hit it, and a second time to see how you will really shoot.
Id definitely play both in the future, if the price was right.
Hey. its still cheaper than what I would have spent gambling for same time period

papa,
Glad all the golf went well. DP has almost always been ib good shape when I've played there. RS, on the other hand has had some condition issues in the past. I've had friends play when the fairways were terrrible and not so much as a mention before the round or a free beer when complaining afterwards. It amazes me how many courses expect us to just be lemmings and accept whatever they throw at us.

I love your comment on greensfees versus potential gambling losses. I've been trying to explain this to LV visitors for years. About ten years ago, four friends wanted to play the Legacy in Oct, but didn't want to pay the rate. They wanted to try twilite to save, but I told them they wouldn't come close to finishing the round. Besides that, I reminded them of the five hours away from the casinos it would give them (all were healthy gamblers). They chose twilte for the $40 savings and got in about 14 holes. I know each lost over $2k for the trip, so I had a great time sticking the knife in, not to mention the salt I added to their wounds about the $40 they saved!

Thanks for the report. Who's next?

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

I mention that very thing in the book, or course, and got the same from a (former) Vegas golf exec:

2006 LA Times article on Vegas golf (Holy shit, I can't believe that article is nearly five years old!)

Rio Secco has been notorious over the years for conditioning snafus and not wanting to admit it up front. But I will say, when I've talked to them apres a round I've always received a re-play voucher.

Desert Pines leaves me flat. Not great, not horrid, just kinda there.