Golfer’s Guide to Your Next Las Vegas Golf Vacation

Heading to Las Vegas can be a yearly ritual for some while others will only be granted the opportunity to visit the world-famous city once in a lifetime.

Either way, getting the most out of your Vegas vacation is a top priority.

Last year nearly 40 million visitors traveled to Las Vegas and enjoyed the world-class entertainment, historic resorts and casinos and sampled some of the area's best golf courses.

With 64 public or semi-private golf courses and 14 private courses, Southern Nevada and Las Vegas in particular, has emerged as a top destination for championship golf.

Keeping up with new additions and recent trends happening in Vegas would be worthy of a full time job. While legendary names like the Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand and Palms Hotel and Casino echo in your mind upon hearing a reference to Sin City it is important to keep an eye on what's new and how to get the most out of your dollar.

In terms of planning a golf vacation, knowing the best times to play and how to plan your trip is crucial.

This will be a record-breaking year for Las Vegas with over 40 million visitors expected to visit, including a slew of businesses holding annual conventions.

Vegas is the "Convention Capital of the World" with more than 23,800 conventions held in 2006 alone. Golf is perhaps the perfect activity during a large gathering such as these and the number and quality of courses leaves planners a wide array of options.

Some of the top resorts offer a stunning combination of luxury amenities and championship golf.

The JW Marriott, located in the heart of Southern Nevada's most prestigious golf neighborhood, offers guests access to a wide variety of golf facilities including an exclusive partnership with TPC Las Vegas at the Canyons. The 18-hole course incorporates a natural desert setting with a challenging layout to achieve one of the most enjoyable experiences in the western United States.

The Wynn Las Vegas is one of the best Las Vegas has to offer. Experience 18 holes of world-class golf right on the Strip, where 11 of the holes include a water hazard element. Designed by Tom Fazio and Steve Wynn, more than 800,000 cubic yards of earth were moved to created dramatic elevation changes.

Of course these resorts and courses aren't even close to being the only options in Las Vegas. With world-class amenities at every corner and designers like Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye and Tom Fazio, the choices are endless.

Adding to the excitement in Las Vegas are two new resort complexes sure to draw plenty of attention.

In January, the Palazzo celebrated its grand opening. The newest resort by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation is located in the heart of the famed Las Vegas Strip. When combined with the neighboring Venetian and Sands Expo and Convention Center, the Palazzo gives the company the largest hotel and convention complex in the world.

Also opening in 2008 is the Trump International Hotel and Tower, which is set to debut in April. This 64-story hotel-condominium is being built across the street from Wynn Las Vegas. It will feature both non-residential hotel condominiums and residential condominiums. The exterior will be clad in 24-carot gold glass and the interior will be luxuriously furnished and decorated displaying the standard extravagance associated with owner Donald Trump's properties.

There are a number of companies that specialize in putting together all-inclusive stay and play golf packages and here are two of the best and the kind of options you can expect when planning a golf vacation.

Walters Golf is currently offering two distinct golf packages which will run for 12 months and deliver outstanding golf and accommodation.

The High Roller Golf Package features two nights at the luxurious and exciting Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino with two rounds of championship golf. Start off at GolfWeek's "Top 100 Resort Course", Bali Hai Golf Club and also experience an Open Championship feel at the Royal Links Golf Club.

The Casual Vegas Getaway includes two nights at the Vegas Strip's newest addition, the Hooters Hotel and Casino. Included in this package you will also enjoy two rounds of golf at Royal Links Golf Club and the Dye-designed Desert Pines Golf Club.

To book today either visit www.waltersgolf.com or call 1-888-427-6678.

LasVegasGolf.com has its own VIP High Roller Package. Guest will enjoy three days and two nights at the world-famous Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in addition to unrestricted tee times at the Rio Secco Golf Club and the TPC Canyons of Las Vegas.

Other options being offered by LasVegasGolf.com are the Double-Down Package and Unlilmited Golf at Lake Las Vegas.

The Double Down option includes stay at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino with 36 holes of championship golf at either course at the Revere at Anthem Golf Course Club.

Unlimited Golf at Lake Las Vegas features accommodations at the 4-Star Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa and golf at Reflection Bay or the Falls.

Head over to www.lasvegasgolf.com or call 1-866-456-9912 to plan your trip today.

Midweek, Sunday through Thursday, should get you more for your dollar no matter whom you book with or where you chose to stay.

The summer season is considered to be June through mid-September and prices during this period are considerably lower but temperatures are also considerably higher.

Ultimately, Las Vegas' reputation speaks for itself. With over 133,000 hotel rooms and an economic impact of close to $40 billion the City knows how to treat travelers of all shapes and sizes.