3 Desert Golf Resorts We're Shipping our Clubs to this Fall

When the summer scorch finally loosens its grip, the desert becomes a different world entirely. Mornings are crisp, evenings glow gold, and fairways that felt untouchable a few months ago suddenly beg to be played. We're smack in the middle of the season when desert golf wakes back up, and honestly - how can any golfer resist the draw of a course that threads through canyons with nothing but silence for company?

We're exploring every corner of golf that the desert has to offer, from the wild edges of West Texas to the sunbaked outskirts of Vegas and the surreal, below-sea-level depths of Death Valley. These three resorts deliver the kind of golf that rewards anyone willing to trade city lights for star-filled skies. So ship the clubs, hit the road (or the skies), and let the desert show you why the best trips start where the asphalt fades into dust.

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Lajitas Golf Resort - Lajitas, Texas

Cue the tumbleweeds and a Clint Eastwood stare-down. Welcome to the wild, wild west of golf: Lajitas Golf Resort. Out here, the desert stretches for miles, the Rio Grande winds just beyond, and Black Jack’s Crossing - the resort’s lone, legendary course - awaits golfers like a showdown at high noon.

Everything’s bigger in Texas, and Lajitas proves it. The resort sprawls across a whopping 27,000 acres, while Black Jack’s Crossing stretches over 7,400 yards from the tips. And it’s all located just outside Big Bend National Park, so close to the border you could just about hook a drive right into Mexico.

The course has quite the comeback story, too. After the original layout was swept away by a furious Rio Grande flood in 2008, Lanny Wadkins stepped in to work his magic. Today, it’s a stunning patchwork of contrasts: bright green fairways snaking through sunbaked canyons and sparkling streams running through an otherwise barren landscape.

Dining and Lodging

Dining at Lajitas is full of surprises, especially if you're expecting slim pickings out in the middle of the desert. Candelilla Café is great for any meal of the day, featuring fresh, locally inspired ingredients and patio views of the desert. For quick bites, the Boardwalk Bakery & Pizzeria serves up hand-tossed pizzas, sandwiches, and baked goods, while the Lajitas General Store and Deli stocks take-out lunches, wine, and cheese baskets for picnics or adventures into Big Bend.

But my personal favorite is the Thirsty Goat Saloon - the local watering hole with leather sofas and live music, named for Clay Henry, the town’s mayor, who (like the caddies at Silvies Valley Ranch) happens to be… a goat.

And if you really want to lean into the Lajitas experience, you can even stay in the room named after the mayor himself - the Clay Henry Suite at the Badlands Hotel.

For groups and families, a variety of rental homes are available, as are the Boardwalk Condos, which come with fully equipped kitchens, inviting living and dining areas, fireplaces in every room, and outdoor seating - perfect for swapping stories from the day’s adventures or soaking in a West Texas sunset.

Tips for Visiting

More than golf: Golf is king, but the desert is the kingdom. Saddle up for horseback rides through rugged canyons, hike the trails of nearby Big Bend National Park, float down the Rio Grande, or test your aim at the shooting range.

Enjoy some downtime: The resort offers plenty of relaxation options - the pool, spa treatments, stargazing, or just kicking back on your patio with a cocktail. Even the most golf-obsessed visitor will want a little desert R&R.

Arrive like a VIP: Looking to skip the long drive? You can fly direct to Lajitas International with JSX from Dallas, or catch flights out of Houston and Austin operated by SkyWest Charters.

Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort - Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas Paiute’s portfolio is one-of-a-kind, home to the only three complete Pete Dye designs in all of Nevada. The Wolf is the resort’s signature layout and the longest course in the state at 7,604 yards, featuring a show-stopping island green that rivals Dye’s most famous creations.

But it's the Snow Course that set the tone, debuting with all his hallmarks - doglegs, bold risk-reward shots, and, of course, those notorious railroad ties. Sun Mountain followed, a touch more forgiving but still plenty demanding, especially if the bunkers have your number that day.

Together, these three courses turn Paiute into one of the most compelling desert golf destinations in the country. No houses crowding the fairways. Playable year-round. And just 25 minutes northwest of the Strip, it’s close enough for a quick escape yet far enough that you’ll forget Vegas even exists - until it’s time to head out for dinner and a show.

Dining and Lodging

Instead of an on-site hotel, Las Vegas Paiute partners with MGM Resorts International, giving you the chance to bundle your golf with stays at iconic spots like Aria, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Vdara, or The W. When it comes to dining, well - it’s Vegas, so the world is your oyster. But if you’d rather linger at Las Vegas Paiute a little longer, head to The View. True to its name, the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows frame boundless vistas of the course below, paired with a menu that’s every bit as impressive.

Tips for Visiting

Pack layers: Mornings can be crisp, and the desert wind can whip up at any time. Dress in layers so you’re ready for whatever the course throws at you.

Travel light with ShipSticks: Las Vegas Paiute is a bit off the Strip and nearly a 45-minute drive from the airport, so shipping your golf clubs right to the course with ShipSticks can save you the hassle of lugging them through terminals, rental cars, or hotel shuttles. Click here to claim 25% off your booking.

The Oasis at Death Valley - Death Valley, California

Furnace Creek Golf Course at the Oasis at Death Valley is the lowest-elevation course on the planet at 214 feet below sea level. Ears popping yet?

Located within the largest national park in the lower 48 and more than 60 miles from the nearest town, this course is a true desert oasis.

Fairways are framed by palm and tamarisk trees, and surrounding mountains are visible from just about every area of the golf course. And don’t be surprised if your golf ball has a mind of its own out here - between the thick, high-pressure air and occasional desert winds, tee shots often fall short of expectations.

Dining and Lodging

There are six options for dining at the Oasis, so variety is really the name of the game. Visit the Ice Cream Parlor for a sundae that tastes like a slice of nostalgia, or swing by The 1849 Restaurant for a buffet that could fuel a trek across the desert. Last Kind Words Saloon serves up hearty fare with a side of Wild West charm, while Wild Rose Tavern is the ideal spot to kick back with wings, sliders, and a cold beer after a day under the sun. You can also enjoy refined dishes at the Inn at Death Valley’s fine dining restaurant or a leisurely meal at the poolside café.

As for lodging, The Inn is the glamorous side of the resort: a historic AAA Four-Diamond hideaway with 66 elegant rooms and 22 private Casitas, plus a spring-fed pool and sweeping views that have been enticing travelers since the 1920s.

A mile away, the Ranch at Death Valley is all about laid-back fun, with 275 rooms and cozy cottages - perfect for families who want to go from the pool to the golf course to an ice cream cone without missing a beat.

Tips for Visiting

Timing is everything: Summer heat here is no joke, and operations are limited during the hottest months. Fall and winter are the best times to visit, when the desert is cooler and conditions are much more comfortable.

Stargazing: After the sun sets, look up - Death Valley’s night sky is so clear and dark that the Milky Way can be seen with the naked eye.

Wildlife watch: Keep an eye out for coyotes, desert foxes, and maybe a roadrunner or two. Coyotes specifically are known to “borrow” stray golf balls if you’re not careful.

So pack up your clubs, send ‘em ahead, book the flights, and don’t be afraid of a few gravel roads or detours. Great golf, after all, is worth the journey - and these desert destinations prove it better than anywhere else.

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Every editorial inclusion across Skratch.Golf is independently selected by editors. We comprehensively stand behind every travel destination we feature editorially, but want to disclose that this content was made in partnership with our friends at ShipSticks.