Not having a rental car, my wife's son and I chose to play Bali Hai during a recent trip to Las Vegas because it is so close (a 10-minute cab ride from Bellagio). We felt like we got about what we paid for. The course was in good shape and, unlike some of the courses out in the desert, the wind was not a factor. The constant flow of airplanes taking off right over us and the sight-seeing helicopters flying low over the course before landing was distracting, but that's what you get for being close to the strip. The golf course personnel were pleasant and everything worked like clockwork, although the restaurant was closed for a private party (at 1 p.m. in the afternoon) and we had to eat lunch at a little sandwich hut near the putting green. The sandwiches were good, however, and the beer was cold. We didn't spring for a forecaddie and bought a $5 yardage book instead, which was helpful although there are ample yardage markers on the sprinklers in the fairways. The time taken to play the course for our foresome (we were matched up with two other folks) was about average for a resort course--4 1/2 hours. We would play there again.

Played in early November 2007 and had a great round. An open fairway from tee to green is my kind of Vegas course. Got a peak at Bill Clinton playing and his secret service escorts and I thought that was pretty cool. The guys in the golf shop said he plays there once in while and that other celebrities play more frequently. They told me they generally don’t talk about who plays, it’s that “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas thing,” but I managed to learn that Celine Dion is a great golfer and that many of the Vegas headliners play the course as it is so convenient. It is pricey, but what in Vegas isn’t these days? For me it was worth it to be treated like a real Vegas high roller. I should just be so lucky on the tables.

Bali Hai as you have read is themed after the South Pacific. The Clubhouse has the same SP decor along with a good restaurant, bar and pro shop. I have played the course a few times, and to tell you the truth, for the most part, I have enjoyed it.

I have noticed that the maintenence has slipped some. I have never encountered any rude staff. However, I did witness a couple of drunken players on the course that were hitting balls onto the highway...never seen that before. Maybe, the staff of Bali Hai has to deal with this element from time to time. If so, that's too bad for everyone.

The course is expensive and that's because of it's convenient location on the south end of the strip. You can play better courses for far less but you would have to make something of a drive. Pauite GC for example is a good choice. The other observation that I noticed is a lot of unrepaired ball marks on the greens and fairway divots. That's the players fault.

My advise would be if you have a rental car, use it to make a trip to another course. Bali Hai is not a good value, but it is close. So weigh it out for yourself. Lastly, if you do encounter rude staff behaviour, be sure to complain to the director of golf and Walters Golf. They have a lot of money invested, and there is no way they would let it go without making a correction.

Best to all!

I played Bali Hai a couple of weeks ago (July 25, 2007) and was surprised at how bad the condition of the entire course was in. The last time I was there was about four years ago and thought it was truly one of the most beautiful and well-maintained courses I ever played. Unfortunately, they have decided to allow the maintenance of the course to rival municipal venues. The service has also gone downhill dramatically. The person who checked us in at the pro shop in the afternoon was rude and could not be bothered with customers. It seemed once we got outside the attendants were not going to be friendly without a large tip to start off the round. On a scale of 1 - 10, Bali Hai was once a 9-10, but now is no more than a 4-5. What a disappointment. Hopefully a change of staff will bring back the luster of the service and course. Good luck.