Jetsettersblog

Nevada may be known for bright lights and 24-hour entertainment, but just as prolific as the green felt of the blackjack tables is the fresh green grass of more than 100 golf courses throughout the state. So pack your clubs and get ready for a whirlwind tour of Nevada’s best links.

There are more than 50 golf courses within 90 minutes of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, and many northern Nevada hotels offer special packages that pair a round of golf with a discounted hotel rate. So what you save on a room and golf game, you can spend on a night at the craps table or poker room.

Reno boasts several urban courses just a short drive from the downtown hotel district. Perhaps the most famous northern Nevada hole is the 15th hole at LakeRidge Golf Course in Reno. The tee overlooks a steep cliff with the hole on an island green below. You have to be on top of your game to keep your ball out of the water on this challenging course.

About a half-hour drive from Reno is the state capital, Carson City, and its collection of the “Divine Nine” golf courses. Nine courses are scattered in the high-desert region against the backdrop of towering snow-capped mountains. Some of the world’s best and most famous designers, such as Arnold Palmer and Johnny Miller, have crafted these courses.

Explore the Divine Nine by visiting www.divinenine.com and find the best deals on hotel-and-golf packages. You can also check out the area’s other attractions and things to do during your stay in Carson City.

Heading over the hill to Lake Tahoe, golfers will find an array of breathtaking courses along the water’s edge or nestled in the mountainside.

Incline Village Championship Golf Course, designed by golf great Robert Trent Jones Sr., is on Lake Tahoe’s peaceful north shore and just an hour’s drive from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The rustic but regal Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe in Incline Village is the perfect place to relax after a long day on the links, and the hotel offers special package pricing for golfers on the go.

Want a glimpse of a Hollywood celebrity? Check out the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship held every July at Edgewood Tahoe on the south shore of the lake. Some of the biggest stars, including actors Dennis Quaid and Don Cheadle, comedian Ray Romano, NBA superstar Michael Jordan and former U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle, come out to Tahoe to play for charity in this nationally televised competition. Visit www.tahoecelebritygolf.com for information on the annual golf tournament or to find out how to book your own round of golf at Edgewood Tahoe.

The bustling city of Mesquite is quickly emerging as the top golf destination in the western United States. Only an hour from Las Vegas, this is the place to go for a true golf getaway. The resort-casinos boast full-service spas, fine dining, shopping and easy access to some of the most beautiful western terrain. World-famous Bryce Canyon National Park and awe-inspiring Cathedral Gorge State Park are short drives away, but you don’t have to leave Mesquite to find the vibrant red rocks and savory sagebrush that are so distinctive in the West.

The golf courses in Mesquite are distinctly varied so every day is a different experience on the links. Wolf Creek Golf Club was named the “Most Spectacular New Course in America” by Affluent Golfer Magazine and its challenging elevation changes make it a true test of one’s skill. It is not to be missed!

And who could talk about Nevada without mentioning Las Vegas? Las Vegas is no longer golf’s best-kept secret. In fact, Las Vegas recently was named the top emerging golf destination in the world by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators.

From exquisite championship courses designed by legends of the sport to lush fairways and breathtaking views – golf is just another reason the destination attracted 38.9 million visitors in 2006.

Today, more than 60 golf courses are available for play in Las Vegas throughout the year thanks to the area’s inviting climate. Las Vegas offers challenging yet beautifully sculpted courses developed by world-renowned designers including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Billy Casper, Arnold Palmer and Pete Dye.

Many of the world’s most famous professional and amateur golfers, including Tiger Woods, former U.S. President Bill Clinton and NBA legend Michael Jordan, feel at home on the Las Vegas links.

Las Vegas hosts many nationally and internationally televised golf tournaments including the PGA Tour’s Michelin Championships at Las Vegas, LPGA Takefuji Classic and Wendy’s Three-Tour Challenge.

Nevada’s variety of golf courses truly offers something for everyone. The hardest part can be choosing where to play. Visitors can easily search the state’s courses in one place, http://golf.travelnevada.com With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can browse all the courses in the state, narrow down your search by specific criteria and even find nearby hotels.