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Featured Golf Course
October 2007
By: Shane Jensen

TPC at the Canyons becomes the focal point for golf in Las Vegas during the month of October. This golf course is located in the Northwest section of Las Vegas near the popular trendy community of Summerlin. As in past years, TPC Canyons will be playing host to the Frys.com Open from October 11-14th.

TPC at the Canyons is a public golf course that provides the golfer with the experience of playing where the pro's play. The golf course has a caddy program to further enhance the experience of playing a tour caliber golf course. Golfers are given the unique opportunity, during the month of October, to play the golf course in the same condition as the PGA Tour Professionals.

From start to finish the TPC Canyons is a very demanding golf course that requires accurate tee shots and a supreme putting touch. The second hole is a short par-3 that plays slightly downhill to a semi-island green. This hole is critical to getting off to a good start in the round. From the back tees this hole plays 196 yards but plays shorter than the card yardage.

The front and left sides of the green are guarded by a deep desert area that will make finding your ball almost impossible. The bail out area on this hole is short right. There is a bunker on the right hand side and more waste area at the back of the green. This is a fairly large green and you will need to check the pin position in order to pull the right club.

TPC Canyons was designed by Bobby Weed and Raymond Floyd. Around the greens the pair has incorporated slopes that funnel any balls hit toward the edges of the greens into collection areas. A great example of this is the 10th hole. This medium length par-4 measures 419 yards but plays uphill all the way to the hole. This fairway tends to be soft so don't expect any roll.

The left side of this hole is guarded by a wasted area and the best line off the tee is toward the trees on the right hand side of the fairway. You will need to hit a driver to get the ball as far up the hill as possible. With the ball safely in the fairway you will have a short to mid iron into this elevated green, be sure to take extra club. This green has a false front and several collection areas around the green. Any shot hit to the sides of the green will funnel into one of these area and leave the player with a difficult pitch. The best play is to aim for the middle of the green and make a par.

TPC Canyons is a true desert golf course where rugged desert areas come into play, especially on the back nine. The 14th hole requires the player to cross the desert twice before reaching the green. Although this hole is very short, it can often provide the biggest headaches on this layout. This hole only measure 365 yards and accuracy is the name of the game on this hole.

Driver is not the play off this tee. The best line on this hole is toward the church steeple that sits in the distance. The right side of this hole is bordered by what can only be called a "Mini Grand Canyon". The tee shot is also blind so you will not be able to see the landing area. The fairway slopes from left to right so be sure to take that into account when playing your tee shot.

Once in the fairway the second shot must be played to a narrow green that sits behind a small but deep finger of the "Mini Grand Canyon". There is a bunker behind the green that will catch any shots hit long. This is a tough green to hit so be sure to determine the yardage to the hole, the green is firm so the more spin you can get on the ball the better.
Just after the PGA Tour event is the best time to play the TPC Canyons. It is during this time that the tournament will be fresh and players can experience for themselves some of the shots they saw during the tournament. Caddies in each group will be able to help players choose the best lines and read putts on these difficult greens.
 

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