Nevada, Las Vegas Golf Course Reviews
Reflection Bay Golf Course Review
Henderson, NV
74.8 rating; 138 slope |
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Reflection Bay Golf Course Overview: Reflection Bay is a great desert golf course built around the man-made Lake Las
Vegas. It unfortunately closed in 2009 but I understand was recently re-opened (I haven't played it in a decade either way). With half the holes bordering on the Lake or on other water hazards, it is a very visually
challenging course. Most of the other holes force the golfer to still deal with desert on one or both sides of the fairway. However, designer Jack Nicklaus stays true to
form by leaving wide fairways to accept drives that must be well placed in
order to hit the well-guarded greens.
The best golf holes are described below:
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Reflection Bay Golf Course Hole 2: This par four presents the first knee-knocker drive of the day, as there is a desert wash left and OB right. Although the fairway is wide, the slightly elevated tee box makes all the trouble appear magnified. The green is open to the right and will funnel shots down to the green, so it is foolish to flirt with any pins cut left where the desert will nab anything pulled left of the green. (Not pictured)
Reflection Bay Golf Course Hole 5: This par 5 has a very intimidating tee shot as the fairway slopes towards the desert wash on the right side that has a man-made creek meandering down it from the green all the way to the landing area. The second shot need to be played uphill between the creek and fairway bunkers on the left to leave a good approach to a small, multi-tiered green accessible to the player by crossing the pond right of the green via several large stones.
Reflection Bay Golf Course Hole 5: This par 5 has a very intimidating tee shot as the fairway slopes towards the desert wash on the right side that has a man-made creek meandering down it from the green all the way to the landing area. The second shot need to be played uphill between the creek and fairway bunkers on the left to leave a good approach to a small, multi-tiered green accessible to the player by crossing the pond right of the green via several large stones.
Reflection Bay Golf Course Hole 7: This par four is a split-fairway masterpiece with a creek dissecting it. The safer play is to lay up about 230 yards, to the left of the creek. However, this leaves a very long approach to the green, which is surrounded by bunkers, including one behind the green that will actually save most balls from rolling into the lake that go too long. The aggressive drive must fly at least 250, but will leave a short pitch to the beautifully designed green that wraps around a pesky pot bunker front and center. This is a truly gorgeous golf hole and a fun test of golfing skill.
Reflection Bay Golf Course Hole 8: The first of two almost mirror image peninsula par 3 holes on the course. This one is much longer, but more forgiving, however, as there is a bailout area to the right. It is, nonetheless, a tough tee shot and a great hole.
Reflection Bay Golf Course Hole 10: A great start to the back nine with a tee shot that must cross water and avoid it to the left as well on the tee shot. Once mastered, the golfer is left with a mid to short iron to the shallow green over another lake. Anything left or short is gone but there are bunkers awaiting a shot that is hit too far. This is a very difficult, but fun golf hole.
Reflection Bay Golf Course Hole 15: The tee shot is target golf and provides a beautiful view of the shots to come and the rewards and penalties facing the golfer, depending on the drive. Anything left will find the desert wash, but the closer to that wash the golfer gets the better chance of getting home in two with a green only accessible from that angle. This is a great desert golf hole from start to finish.
Reflection Bay Golf Course Hole 17: The other peninsula par three gets the designer's signature, for good reason. There is no real bailout area unless the golfer finds the bunker to the left of the green. Also, the putting surface is firm and a low shot will be difficult to keep from rolling off the back into the water.
Reflection Bay Golf Course Hole 18: The last golf hole of the day is a desert (and more tame) version of 18 at Pebble Beach, in reverse. The drive has a very similar set up with a bunker complex in the middle of the fairway being akin to the trees at Pebble. To get home in two, the shot must be played between the bunkers and the water, or over them. However, even if played as a three shot hole, the final approach is still close enough to the water to elicit some jitters.
