Southern Highlands
World-class private course in Southwest Las Vegas
Story by Bill Bowman
Southern Highlands. Those are the only two words golfers need to hear when talking about Las Vegas layouts to conjure up visions of greatness in impressive golf courses. At Southern Highlands Golf Club, a private course located in Southwest Las Vegas, there’s more than just a world-class golf course. Much more.
The course, a par-72 layout that stretches to more than 7,500 yards from the tips (but with five sets of tees is playable for everyone), is the last layout designed by the father-son duo of Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. “It’s a tremendous honor to be part of the final design by the Joneses,” says Jason Cheney, general manager. “Senior passed away as they were shaping the 12th hole. It’s a beautiful par-3 that honors Senior for the work that he did not only here, but in the entire golf industry.”
Cheney is quick to point out that while the course gets most of the accolades—and deservedly so—there’s more to Southern Highlands that appeals to members. It starts with the beautiful 42,000-square-foot clubhouse. “I’ve been at Southern Highlands for 10 years and been part of some impressive clubs but this one is the whole package,” Cheney says, adding that guests of members will be impressed right from the start. “From the time you drive onto the property, the views set us apart. They planted 17,000 trees and 300,000 shrubs, and when you look around the property, it’s a parkland-style setting. You wouldn’t believe you’re in Las Vegas except for the great Strip views.
Off the course, there are amenities for everyone. It’s not just about the golf, but of wellness also. There’s a fitness facility, a spa, resort-style pool, four tennis courts, and dining as well as the great golf course.
Ah, yes, the golf. Where to begin. The layout has some of the most impressive views and golf holes in Las Vegas. “It’s tough to single out the best golf holes,” Cheney admits. “But there are certainly ones people will never forget.” For example, the par-4 11th for example. The hole plays 500 yards from the tips and features a severe drop of around 100 feet from tee to the fairway. “It’s one of the most photographed holes in Las Vegas. From the tee, players will get a 270-degree view of the city. It’s definitely one of our signature holes. And, we feel like we’ve got some of the prettiest par 3s in the city.”
Then there’s the finale. The par-5 18th that stretches to 622 yards from the tips. Add in the fact it plays uphill and it’s a daunting hole to finish the round. “As players stand on the 18th tee, they have a great view of that beautiful clubhouse which, in my mind, is the prettiest in golf,” Cheney says. Off the tee you can go left or right as there is a creek that runs down the middle. It’s a challenging hole and a great finishing hole. You can have a brilliant round going and one shot can really hurt you.
No matter whether you have the round of your life or have one of those wait-until-next time outings, there’s a perfect spot to gather after the round. In the summer of 2022, when they were shut down, they built a new outdoor dining space called Duke’s Bar. What used to be a staging area is now a 30-seat covered bar and seating area. It overlooks the driving range and in the background is the Las Vegas Strip, offering the perfect spot before or after the round to meet friends and have a drink.
Cheney says with everything the club has to offer, a look at the membership shows just how impressed people are with the facility. “It’s just a great place to call home. About 40-percent of our members don’t call Las Vegas their primary home. We have members from all walks of life, and whether they call Las Vegas their primary residence or their secondary residence, everyone will feel right at home on the course or in the clubhouse.”
There are men’s groups, women’s groups, junior groups, and couples’ groups. Something for everyone. And even though there are company CEOs and other pillars of the community, everyone here is on a level playing field. Egos are checked at the door.”
In the end, Cheney says the club is always looking to up the ante when it comes to amenities for the members.
“We just want to keep building up this world-class facility. But we also want to connect with the people. We want to be the heartbeat of the community, and those things will happen. The bottom line is we want to provide more experiences for families to enjoy—even if they don’t play golf.”
Southern Highlands Golf Club
1 Robert Trent Jones Jr. St
Las Vegas
www.southernhighlandsgolfclub.com
702-263-1000
