Published on: October 6, 2025, 02:10h.
Updated on: October 6, 2025, 02:10h.
- Golfweek has named Shadow Creek the premier casino golf course in the U.S.
- MGM owns the top two rated casino golf courses, with Biloxi’s Fallen Oak securing second place.
- The rankings feature outstanding golfing experiences across a range of budgets.
Golfweek has recognized Shadow Creek Golf Course, an exclusive sanctuary for MGM Resorts’ elite clientele, as the leading casino-linked golf track in the nation.
Annually, Golfweek curates a selection of what it deems the top 50 golf courses tied to casinos. The rankings stem from evaluations made by the “hundreds of members of Golfweek’s course-ratings panel,” who consistently assess and rank courses based on criteria including layout, design consistency, land use, green conditions, variety of holes, landscape management, ecological considerations, and overall enjoyment.
Once again, Shadow Creek holds the coveted top spot. Since the inception of this category by Golfweek in 2014, Shadow Creek has consistently been ranked first.
Shadow Creek is affiliated with various MGM Resorts properties along the Las Vegas Strip—such as the Bellagio, Aria, Vdara, The Cosmopolitan, and MGM Grand—but being a guest at one of these hotels does not guarantee entry to this exclusive North Las Vegas golf facility.
Exclusive for High Rollers
Golfweek’s best casino golf courses offer excellent golfing options for all financial plans.
For instance, playing a round at Fallen Oak in Biloxi, which is positioned as the second best on the Golfweek list, costs around $275. In contrast, a round at Yocha Dehe at Cache Creek Casino in California, listed at No. 3, is available for just $118, which includes practice balls and a cart.
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, holding the No. 7 spot, is priced at $125 during the peak summer months, with a discount for casino hotel guests. The Golden Nugget’s Country Club in Lake Charles, ranked No. 22, offers rounds at $129 in October.
Overall, rates for a round at the majority of the top 50 casino golf courses remain around $200 or less, which typically includes a practice bucket and cart. However, there are notable exceptions.
Alongside Fallen Oak, you’ll find that playing at Indiana’s French Lick Pete Dye course (No. 4) is priced at $400 on weekdays and $450 on weekends, while the Old White Course at The Greenbrier in West Virginia (No. 5) costs $550 in summer.
Nonetheless, Shadow Creek claims the title for the most expensive round of golf. MGM restricts access primarily to guests staying on the Strip; however, only a handful of groups are allowed onto the course each day, making it difficult for even five-star hotel patrons to secure a tee time—unless they are high rollers with substantial MGM Rewards.
For those at the Platinum or Noir tier who manage to gain access to Shadow Creek, the cost is a staggering $1,250 greens fee per player. This includes private limousine transport to the course, but excludes the mandatory caddy fee and any food and beverages. Many insiders estimate the total cost can reach nearly $2,000 per person when you factor in the caddy, lunch, cocktails post-game, and tips.
Tribal Casinos and Fazio’s Influence
Per Casino.org’s tally, tribal casinos are credited with 32 of the top 50 golf courses listed by Golfweek.
Renowned architect Tom Fazio is responsible for not just Shadow Creek, but also six other courses within the top 50 rankings. These include Fallen Oak, Turning Stone Atunyote (T9), Wynn Golf Club (No. 15), Dancing Rabbit Oaks (T18), Dancing Rabbit Azaleas (No. 32), and Belterra (No. 39).