COURSE REVIEW

Falcon Ridge Golf Club not to be missed in Mesquite

By Kristen "Golf Chick" Williams,
Special Contributor

Golf writer and blogger Golf Chick recently took her clubs on the road and played a few of the top courses in the U.S. and wrote about them in her own entertaining style. Here's what she had to say about Falcon Ridge in Mesquite, Nev.

I arrived at Falcon Ridge Golf Club before sunrise after a short sleep. Wanting to make this as easy on myself as possible, I chose the forward/gold tees at 4,821 yards vs. the next set back (silver) at 5,976. Normally I'm not opposed to playing 6,000 yards, but on this day I just didn't have the oomph.

Falcon Ridge photo gallery Read Golf Chick's blog Wolf Creek not without flaws

Over 1,000 yards difference? Sorry, ladies, those are your options at Falcon Ridge.

While I was checking in, a couple of employees went out to play a round. Other than that, I was the first one out and they didn't put me with anyone else. Just me and an unfamiliar course I had to figure out by myself. Not that I haven't done that plenty of times on the road.

With such short yardages, I left my driver in the bag all day and hit three wood off the tee. That strategy worked well for me on the front nine as I hit three of the six fairways and an amazing six greens in regulation. Unsteady from a lack of sleep, my putting let me down and pushed my score up to a 42 for the front.

Putting surfaces

There are some really big greens, with some tricky pin placements, but they've also got some friendly flat areas. I'd like another crack at them when my putting is not so incredibly off. I thought my 22 putts on the front were bad. Then I had a shocking 25 on the back. -- Interesting tidbit: The only people out before me were employees and I found myself repairing their fresh ball marks. Tsk, tsk. Other than that, they were in pretty good shape.

Speaking of the back nine, I had some trouble there aside from my putting. Course knowledge would have helped because there are some blind shots. They do have directional poles, and you really just have to trust them. I'm always skeptical of those because I know they're primarily designed for landing areas for men hitting from the "men's tees." The yardages were deceptive at times, too.

The Verdict

Like Wolf Creek, Falcon Ridge is also neatly carved into the rocky terrain. It also has powerful elevation changes and breathtaking views.

With its $45 off-peak and $115 peak rates, I might even call it the poor man's Wolf Creek. It was in really good condition, though, so I don't mean to imply that the course itself is some kind of dog run. The current clubhouse has an old-school muni-type feel, and the staff was down-home kind of friendly.

There was a lot of construction going on up by the clubhouse and the range, so they might even be building new ones and fancying it up. Right now at Falcon Ridge, it's all about the golf, and it shows. I really liked the course. The layout is challenging enough but not backbreaking. On another day I might have tried it from the silver tees, but the gold tees were the perfect challenge for me that day.

If you're going to Mesquite, this course is a must for your golf itinerary.

August 30, 2006

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.