Sometimes, the best desert golf experiences aren’t found on desert designs at all—at least when the courses are in the Walters Golf portfolio (waltersgolf.com, 888-427-6678). Royal Links Golf Club, Desert Pines Golf Club and Bali Hai Golf Club all may be located in the Las Vegas desert, but to play them, you’d never guess. But the three offer some of the most uniquely enjoyable rounds of golf you’ll ever experience.

Royal Links, by Dye Designs, faithfully replicates 18 of Scotland’s legendary links holes. You’ll cross “Swilcan Bridge” and may find yourself in “Hell Bunker” as you play replica holes from courses such as the Old Course, Troon, Muirfield, Turnberry and Carnoustie.

Desert Pines, also by Dye Designs, has been described as the Pinehurst of Las Vegas, with thousands of mature pines lining the fairways, white sand bunkers and water in play on half the holes.

But perhaps the most fun is to be had at Bali Hai. Located just off The Strip, Bali Hai is an immaculately maintained tropical paradise, with blinding white sand, an island green and seven acres of water features. There’s no experience in golf like playing this Schmidt/Curley design, right in the shadow of all the iconic Vegas landmarks.