Sin City, home to the world famous Vegas Strip, has been depicted by famous novelists, showcased in acclaimed films and celebrated by celebrities. Amid all \"What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas\" the opulence and grandeur, golf is quietly picking up the pace on the way to being labeled as the famous city's newest notable attraction.

Las Vegas has hosted professional golf tournaments for years, notably the Las Vegas Invitational at the Tournament Players Club Summerlin which just so happens to be the site of Tiger Woods' first PGA TOUR victory in 1996. Musician Justin Timberlake now finds his name attached to the event titled the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open scheduled to take place this October during the Tour's fall series. All three major professional tours visit Vegas annually for the Wendy's 3-Tour challenge.

As the city of Vegas has expanded rapidly, so has the amount and quality of the nearby golf courses. Thanks to designers like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer who were professional golfers themselves, these course offer unique and challenging competition. They rank up among the best courses in the world.

Bali Hai Golf Club is located at the southern end of the Las Vegas strip and delivers an island feel with towering trees and sparkling green fairways accented by white crushed granite. Only in Vegas will your approach shot require blocking out the images of the shimmering Mandalay Bay and famous MGM Grand off in the distance. The Legacy Golf Club is certainly one of a kind. The Arthur Hills-designed facility features tee boxes on the 10th hole that are in the shape of every suit in a deck of cards: spades, clubs, diamonds and hearts.

Another great course is located at the Reflection Bay Golf Club. This course's most notable characteristic is that it was designed by a golfing legend himself, Jack Nicklaus. This is the course where everything begins at the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge which is televised nationwide. Bear's Best is another course designed by the legend that attracts golfers as well.

The landscapes on these courses are as varied as their visitors. Some Vegas offerings are rugged terrains nestled among canyons and cliffs while others are links-style layouts reminiscent of past sites of The Open Championship. Most offer panoramic views of the beautiful surroundings and dramatic water hazards. Fairways are typically lined with palm trees and tropical plants to remind you that this may in fact be paradise.

Although the courses are one of kind, they come with a price to pay. Golfing in Las Vegas can be very expensive with greens fees often exceeding one hundred dollars. Therefore it is best to book a packaged vacation that includes golfing, a stay at a hotel, and sometimes even airfare. Also, go when there is less people in Vegas. The typical off season is from November to February.

So now that you have the basics to enjoying a desert oasis both on the strip and the golf courses, don't hesitate to look into packages and make your dream a reality. The golf courses of Sin City will not let you down. Have patience and research the courses you are interested in to find the best one for you.

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