Cascata Golf Course, Boulder City, Nevada ? a Rees Jones-Designed Golf Course That's Been Rated the #1 Facility in the Country

Cascata Golf Course is located about 35 miles from the Las Vegas strip, and features some unique topography. Flat terrain is pretty rare on this course, which has a number of elevated, mountainside tee boxes, canyons and fairways that are often winding.

The 18-hole, par-72 course, which opened in 2000, is a Rees Jones design that features some very interesting golf holes. The course plays to more than 7,000 yards from both of the back tees, with a USGA slope rating as high as 143. From the forward men's tees, the course plays to around 6,600, but the slope rating is still 138.

There's a good deal of movement on this course, both up and down, and it's been said that because of the panoramic topography, including the 3,600-foot-tall Red Mountain, sometimes golfers have difficulty determining which way a hole plays if they're new to the course. Many shots require uphill shots to raised landing areas off the tee and on approach, and the desert winds can add another element of difficulty to the course on blustery days.

The greens tend to have mild undulations at best and roll fast and true, but there are also some deceptive slopes that can be encountered. The course also features seven picturesque water holes, and some holes even feature mountain streams that feed into waterfalls. There are also 52 sand bunkers and a number of desert waste areas that function as hazards.

There are many noteworthy holes from which to choose on this course, including the very first hole. This hole is a relatively short par-4 at 367 yards, but it plays uphill. It also requires an accurate tee shot between a large fairway bunker on the right and the creek on the left which tracks the entire hole. The green is also a challenge, with a false front that returns short shots and a putting surface that slopes from back-to-front.

Hole No. 7 is a very short par-3 at only 157 yards from the tips, but also one of the most picturesque. The hole plays downhill and calls for a carry over some rugged terrain and a stream that cuts across the fairway then flows up along the left side of the green. The green sits in front of a canyon wall and a dramatic waterfall adds to the backdrop.

The finishing hole at Cascata is a par-5 that plays up to 559 yards from the back tees and features a unique layout. The hole is shaped like a letter-S, and a stream runs its length, crossing the fairway like the other leg of the letter-X. There's also a large rock formation on the left that some golfers may want to shortcut off the tee to reach the second landing area. From there, approach shots take aim at an undulating green that adds to the challenging finish.

Cascata has been recognized as one of the best courses in the country, including being ranked as the #1 Facility in the U.S. by Zagat Survey in 2009.

Cascata partners with Rio Secco and Harrahs Resort/Casino for stay-and-play packages, but the course is also open to the public. And all players have the benefit of being accompanied by a tour-class caddie for their round.

Practice facilities include a targeted grass range, which features a 418-foot man-made waterfall nearby, as well as a large putting green. PGA-certified instructors are also available.

The course also features in impressive, 37,000-square-foot, Tuscan-style clubhouse with a golf shop, dining room, a cigar lounge with a custom-designed humidor, and a cascading stream that runs through the atrium.