Invitation & Access · North Las Vegas
Shadow CreekNorth Las Vegas, Nevada
Tom Fazio's desert masterpiece, top-50 in the United States.
Par
72
Yardage
7,560
Rating · Slope
75.9 · 143
Holes
18
Green Fee
From $1250
The Course
About Shadow Creek
Shadow Creek represents the pinnacle of Tom Fazio's design philosophy on the desert canvas. Cut from raw Las Vegas terrain, this exclusive private layout weaves through native vegetation and dramatic elevation changes, creating an oasis of green among the desert landscape. The conditioning is immaculate, the exclusivity uncompromising, and the experience unforgettable.
History
Shadow Creek — History
Steve Wynn spent four years and a reported sixty million dollars turning a flat stretch of North Las Vegas scrub into a pine forest with elevation that was never there. He handed Tom Fazio a blank canvas and an open budget -- millions of cubic yards of earth moved, thousands of trees trucked in, water routed where the desert had none. It opened in 1989 as the most expensive course ever built, and for its first decade you got on only as Wynn's personal guest. MGM Resorts holds the keys now, arranging tee times through casino hosts for guests of its properties. The course stepped out of its own shadow for one night in 2018, hosting The Match -- Tiger Woods against Phil Mickelson -- live on national television.
Design
Shadow Creek — Design
Fazio's design at Shadow Creek embraces the natural desert topology while introducing sculpted earthwork that frames each hole as a distinct landscape composition. The course celebrates elevation changes often 60+ feet between greens, creates strategic risk-reward scenarios at every turn, and maintains visual drama through indigenous vegetation and water features. Every shot is challenged by wind exposure at elevation.
What Sets It Apart
Why Play Shadow Creek
Shadow Creek is the course Steve Wynn had Tom Fazio carve out of flat desert in 1989, and it remains one of the very few world-ranked layouts where the only way on is through a casino host or a resort stay rather than a tee sheet.
The Round
The Journey at Shadow Creek
I.
The Opening
A stream runs up the left side of the opening hole, and the front nine gets long in a hurry. The 486-yard 3rd, the No. 3 handicap, combines length, bunkers and an approach to an elevated green. The 581-yard 4th is a par 5 that sweeps left beside a pond the whole way, and after the 202-yard 5th comes the 507-yard 6th, the hardest hole on the card.
II.
The Middle
Deep bunkers guard the green on the 571-yard 7th, the second par 5 in four holes, and the 200-yard 8th leads to the 460-yard 9th, rated No. 5. The turn brings the gentlest stretch of the card: the 437-yard 10th, the 324-yard 11th, which is the shortest par 4, and the 405-yard 12th. Water is a bigger factor from here on; the back nine is laced with it.
III.
The Finish
The 257-yard 13th is the longest par 3, and the 493-yard 14th and 482-yard 15th are the No. 4 and No. 2 handicaps; on the 15th a creek zigzags up the left side before crossing in front of the green. The 622-yard 16th winds through bunkers. The 154-yard 17th drops from an elevated tee to a narrow green with a pond in front and a waterfall behind, and water runs the entire right side of the par-5 18th.
How to Play It
Shadow Creek — Playing Strategy
Beginner / High Handicap
Every tee time comes with a caddie, so use the reads; the bentgrass greens are firm, so plan for approaches to release after they land. Treat the 581-yard 4th and the 18th as three-shot holes, keeping well away from the pond on the 4th and the water down the right of the 18th.
Intermediate / Mid Handicap
Four of the first six holes measure 435 yards or more, and the 507-yard 6th is the No. 1 handicap, so accept a bogey there and move on. Look for shots on the 324-yard 11th and the 154-yard 17th instead. On the 15th, keep the drive right of the creek that runs up the left and then crosses in front of the green.
Advanced / Low Handicap
From 7,560 yards there are four par 4s over 480 (the 3rd, 6th, 14th and 15th) plus a 622-yard 16th, so long-iron quality decides the round, and firm bentgrass greens will not hold an approach that comes in hot. The 529-yard 18th is the par 5 to attack, but water runs its whole right side, so commit to the left half.
Signature Holes
Shadow Creek — Signature Holes
The Card
Shadow Creek Scorecard
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Yards | 415 | 435 | 486 | 581 | 202 | 507 | 571 | 200 | 460 | 3,857 | 437 | 324 | 405 | 257 | 493 | 482 | 622 | 154 | 529 | 3,703 | 7,560 |
| Handicap | 13 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 15 | 1 | 11 | 17 | 5 | — | 12 | 18 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 10 | — | — |
Facilities
Shadow Creek — Amenities
- Clubhouse
- Pro Shop
- Golf Instruction
- Caddie Service
- Driving Range
- Dining
- Locker Rooms
- Steam Room
Good to Know
Shadow Creek — questions answered
- How do I get a tee time at Shadow Creek?
- Shadow Creek does not sell public tee times. Access is arranged through a casino host or as a resort guest. Golf in LV maps the full path on this page.
- How much does it cost to play Shadow Creek?
- Green fees at Shadow Creek are typically from $1,250, varying by season, day of week and time. Confirm current rates when you book.
- Who designed Shadow Creek?
- Shadow Creek was designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 1989.
- What is the par and yardage at Shadow Creek?
- Shadow Creek plays to a par of 72 over 7,560 yards from the championship tees, with a course rating of 75.9 and a slope of 143.
- Is Shadow Creek public or private?
- Shadow Creek is not open to general public play — access is arranged through a resort stay or a casino host.
- Where is Shadow Creek located?
- Shadow Creek is located at 3 Shadow Creek Dr, North Las Vegas, NV 89081, in the North Las Vegas area of Southern Nevada.
More in North Las Vegas
More golf courses in North Las Vegas
How to Play It
How to Play Shadow Creek.
Shadow Creek is access-by-host — no public tee sheet. Casino Host Vegas arranges tee times for the invitation-only and resort courses, and handles the rest of the day.
Golf in LV is an independent guide — we don’t sell tee times or mark them up. We map the exact way on.
Casino Host Access
How to get on — through a host.
Shadow Creek requires casino host access or a qualifying property stay. Casino Host Vegas explains exactly how the host system works, who qualifies, and which property gets you on.
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