A stunning setting and a distinct set of Par 3 holes are calling cards of Reflection Bay Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus signature course located on the shores of Lake Las Vegas. These days, course management has created a “Hit the Green” contest on one of them that ups the ante, while guaranteeing a gambling victory in the city that glitters (more on that later in the article).
“I think they did a great job of having four different types of Par 3 holes out here, and that makes it interesting, memorable, and challenging,” says Craig Barlow, a PGA Tour veteran with 170 cuts made who is now the Director of Instruction at the High-Performance Golf Institute at Lake Las Vegas.
The par 3 holes at Reflection Bay are the 3rd, 8th, 13th, and 17th holes, each offering a different type of tantalization and intrigue, played with views and vistas all around.
“There isn’t another setting for golf like this in Las Vegas,” says Eric Dutt, a Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame inductee and director of operations for Reflection Bay. “Overall, the course offers amazing views of Lake Las Vegas and the overall resort community, and when you focus specifically on the par 3 holes, two of them are played right on the shoreline. You won’t forget those two, but our other two Par 3s are pretty cool, also.”
The par 3, 8th hole has always been a golfer’s favorite given the island-green setting right on the shoreline, but now that the “Hit the Green” contest is featured on the scenic hole, the experience has gone to another level.
Tara is your hostess for the hole and offers a can’t-miss option. For a minimum $50 wager, you have the chance to hit the green and double your money in the pro shop. If you miss, you still get to spend what you wagered, making it a GUARANTEED win in Vegas gambling. Plus, you walk away with a sleeve of ProV1 golf balls no matter what, and for wagers of $100 or more, you get sunglasses.
Ken Wright, a longtime PGA of America professional and Reflection Bay Director of Golf, says the contest has been a winner from day one … for players and the course’s bottom line.
“I think from a golfer’s perspective, everyone loves the idea of a bet … it’s Vegas, they’re betting, they’re gambling, and now we’re offering up a chance to double your money in golf shop credit,” Wright says. “It is a home run for us and it’s a home run for them to do it. It is a win-win because the guests have a fun Vegas moment, and we are moving merchandise. In 2024, we did $970,000 in golf shop sales, and that was the most I’ve ever done at any facility I’ve ever been. Last year, we did $1.3 million in golf shop sales, with $478,000 of that coming from the 8th hole contest. It is a no-brainer and something people talk about and remember. And Tara is the perfect hostess and every golfer loves her.”
There is no telling how many times Barlow has played Reflection Bay, but it probably approaches a thousand rounds. There is nobody better at describing the Par 3 journey.
Barlow’s Breakdown
#3
153–223 Yards
“The third hole, which is our longest par 3, is probably the easiest. But you have to hit a good shot to make a par, or hopefully a birdie.”
#8
121–164 Yards
“The eighth hole is one of our signature holes and has a mini-island green. I like that it’s a visually intimidating hole, but it’s not that long. Commit to your shot for success and don’t get caught up in the surroundings.”
#13
120–179 Yards
“I’ve played Reflection Bay probably a thousand times in my life, and I would say the first 10 times that I played that hole, I thought it was a boring hole. Now, I think it is one of the greatest par 3 holes that I’ve ever played. It doesn’t look like anything, but for a right-handed golfer, the green goes left to right and away from you. If you hit it into either the front bunker or the back left bunker, you will not make par, and I’m saying that as a former tour pro. Now, for a left-handed golfer, it’s kind of like the 12th hole at Augusta, and I bet you that’s what Nicklaus had in mind when he designed it. A lefty can play that hole and, if he or she tugs it, it flies farther, carries the bunker, and goes to the back right part of the green. And if he or she flares one, it comes up short but goes to the front left part of the green.”
#17
132–199 Yards
“The 17th hole is just wow. There are not too many better par three holes in Vegas, for sure. From the back tees, it’s 200 yards, and it’s a very demanding, visually intimidating, and very beautiful hole all at the same time.”
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