Golf is Beautiful

I have seen some incredibly beautiful places in the pursuit of a lower handicap. From the vista of an elevated tee box, course architects have gifted us golfers with exclusive views of pristine coastlines and tree top sunsets, a photographers dream if they only knew where to look. And whether trekking out West to Pebble Beach or heading to the "End of the World" for a spin around Montauk Downs, the journey becomes part of the process, and the juice is certainly worth the squeeze. But just last week, I found myself doubting the integrity of the architects as I set out for a bachelor party with my final destination in the middle of the desert. Las Vegas. And it was difficult for me to imagine a "breathtaking" view sprouting from the sand amongst the cacti and tumbleweeds...but man was I wrong.

I've played in the desert, and I've played in the snow, but never in my life have I played in both at the same time! It was crazy enough to hear that it had snowed in Las Vegas the night before we got there, but then to be playing golf on green fairways, boarded with sandy desert, and framed by snowcapped mountains, it was a sight that I wouldn't have believed had I not been there myself. Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort sits about 1,000ft in elevation above the strip, and if you didn't know that ahead of time you will figure it out pretty quick. Now we were there in March, so we weren't expecting 80 degrees and sunny, but the wind in the desert can get pretty crazy up there and we were all hitting the pro shop for sweatshirts before our round had even started. They have 3 courses at Paiute and we played the Wolf Course, which I would highly recommend for some of its signature holes and really fun layout for a match. I can't imagine it happens often, but if you're in Vegas after a snowstorm, the angle from the long par 3 12th will give you something similar to what I pasted above, thanks Joel!

So next time you play golf, be sure to take in the views that the architect thought up for you so many years ago. Think about how the land has changed, how it hasn't, and maybe how it could change in the future. Take some pictures, and try to remember the beauty of your round, and not just how many strokes below, or more likely ABOVE, par you were. Golf is a beautiful game and I hope all enjoy it as much as I do.