There are deals to be had on Las Vegas golf courses such as Bali Hai, but choose wisely.
Do the stock market’s wild swings of late have you wondering if gambling in Las Vegas is a more effective investment vehicle? Well, now might be good time to find out.
Not only are Las Vegas airfare prices down by as much as 10-20 percent in some cases (thanks to the drop in fuel costs), but certain Las Vegas golf courses are wheeling and dealing, too. Just be careful not to get sucked in by the hype.
Take, for example, the three Las Vegas golf courses under the Walters Golf umbrella: Bali Hai, Royal Links, and Desert Pines. You may have read in other publications about the “great deal” they’re offering, namely, if you book your rounds online (at waltersgolf.com) they’ll knock 30 percent off what they say are “already discounted rates.” I can’t fathom how the word “discounted” can be applied to Bali Hai’s $295 green fee, but let’s just go with it for a moment.
Thirty percent off sounds pretty good, right? Normally, it would be, especially for a Las Vegas golf course located conveniently on The Strip. But in this case, the discount is only valid for the highest-priced tee times, bringing the cost for a weekend tee time “down” to about $200. Plus, you have to book at least 45 days out, prepay for your round, and your reservations are non-refundable.
In contrast, Bali Hai’s regular weekend afternoon rates often drop to $155 (at 1 pm) and $95 (at 2pm), which is, respectively, a 52 percent and 71 percent discount off the rack weekend rate. You don’t have to prepay and there are no advanced booking requirements or cancellation fees. Clearly, unless you must have a morning tee time, these regular ol’ rates are a far better deal.
The Walters Golf website does have some attractive offers for its Las Vegas golf courses, but I don’t think the “30 percent off” enticement is one of them.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Shameless behaviour to lead me here with possible discount green fees in Vegas then try to solicite me into a Golf Odyssey subscription. Anybody can see through the discount restrictions without a possible of a surprise subscription at the end. Even with your insight to the “twilight” rates you leave out the very likely sircumstance that teeing off at 2PM for 71% off may land you short of 18 holes as it gets very dark around 5 o’clock these days. You may get 12 to 13 holes before dark. Now you have to consider paying 71% discount to golf 66% of the course.
We think you might have confused the offer that is currently being promoted by Walters Golf. Currently, if you book online and book all three of the Walters Golf courses, you can play them for only $125 each, which is a far better deal than the rack rates. There are restrictions (sun-thurs; weekends rates higher) but it does offer a major savings on these courses when your schedule allows, and if you are looking for a complete package deal in Las Vegas over the holidays. Plus, as you mentioned, there are many other offers at WaltersGolf.com in addition to the previously mentioned deal. For more Las Vegas golf deals, you can visit http://www.golflasvegasnow.com, Your Link to Las Vegas Golf. Play. Golf. Las Vegas. Now. Otherwise, keep up the good work on your website and all the best. Brian H, Editor
SCOTT– First, we’re not soliciting subscriptions. We’re offering FREE trials so people can decide for themselves if they wish to subscribe. Second, we mention that you can play at 1pm for a 52% discount. Quite soon, sunset won’t happen until 5:30 and later, providing 4.5 hours (or more) of daylight for golf. BRIAN– There is no confusion. You are citing an entirely different offer. Check out the gigantic banner on WG’s website that says, “take an additional 30% off.” That’s the one that really isn’t much of a deal at all.
Craig B, Check your sunset schedule. Las Vegas is dark by 4:30pm right now and through the first part of January. Anybody that tees off at 1pm will not get 18 in. Quite frankly, you are wrong in your analysis. It sounds like you are comparing piecing together some 9-12 hole rates with a package that offers 54 holes across 3 days for a pretty big discount. J. Stewart
Thanks, Jess, but I checked the schedule before writing this tip. Keep in mind that we don’t necessarily write about trips that we expect people to take in the next few days or even weeks — that’s a good way to get killed on airfare. By the end of Jan., sunset in Vegas is 5pm. By the end of Feb., it’s 5:30. (By the end of March, it’s 7pm, but afternoon prices go up a bit then, too). Yes, the 54-hole deal you mention isn’t bad, which is why I directed people to check out the Walters golf website where you can find “some attractive offers.” Again, I just don’t think this “30 percent off” deal is one of them.