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Desert Willow is an executive golf course with two par 4's on the front, and two on the back 9. The par 3s on the course are of decent length, typically what you would find on a full length golf course which is good. It allows you to practice your short game as each hole does offer its own specific chalenges. The course was in excellent shape when I played. The greens ran true and the tee boxes were level without too many divots. Fortunately, I did not hit any sand traps during my round but the traps seemed to have decent sand in it as well (not those empty dirt traps you find at many other golf courses that are not properly maintained). In all, it was a very enjoyable round. I would highly recommend for the novice golfer, or even the advanced golfer looking to improve their short game.

This was the first time I've played this golf course in over 7 years so it was essentially new to me again. First, the course conditions were spectacular. Fairways and greens were in great shape, but the rough was a bit thick. The traps also had decent sand which is always good. Great course layout, conditions, and great weather will/should always equate to a great time. But I say that with an asterisk. Despite "ideal" conditions, play was excessively SLOW. We wrapped up our front 9 in 3 hours, 7 minutes. There was no marshall out there and waiting at every hole was incredibly frustrating. There were two threesomes in front of us, and we were a foursome. Yet, we were on the tail of the two groups the entire round. I am by no means a scratch golfer, and I also realize that beginners need to start somewhere. But there was no golf etiquette and the groups in front of us should have picked up after laying 10 150 yards out on a par 4. But I don't blame the threesomes (since, likely they didn't know proper golf etiquette being newbies) but I blame the course management for not having a marshall out there managing pace of play. Fortunately, the back 9 played a bit faster and ended up finishing 18 in 5 hours, 40 minutes. Still far from ideal, but we were seriously on pace for a > 6 hour round after 9. I've played quite a few rounds in my lifetime, and my record for excessively slow play was this round at 5:40. Also, Tukwet is out there. It's not really close to any major city so commute time to and from the golf course can be lengthy. But I guess this varies since I'm sure many of those golfers actually lived in Beaumont as well.
Despite of my criticism of slow play and distance, I would still recommend this course because slow play can happen anywhere I guess. It's just the luck (or unluck) of the draw. But given the good weather conditions, seems like everyone wanted to go out and play. Next time, please just have a marshall out there as a courtesy to your patrons.

I've played this course twice before and during those rounds play was slow and it was incredibly hot (summer in Vegas). I decided to give it another shot since it had been years and what I remembered I liked the course layout. For this third time around, I was very pleasantly surprised. First, in full disclosure I played this course the Saturday morning before hurricane Hilary was supposed to hit Las Vegas and flood the city. It rained the evening before so I thought the course would be soaked and closed. After calling the pro shop and confirming they are open, I arrived for my early tee time. First, despite of all the rain the night before the fairways and greens were in outstanding shape. Not too many divots or standing water - as you would expect the course to be after a downpour the night before. Their drainage system must be pretty good. The greens were in great shape as well and ran a bit slow which I really like. Makes putting a bit easier and not like you are putting on glass. And maybe because the round was hours before the hurricane was forecasted to hit Las Vegas, the round played at a very good pace. It was the standard 4:15 to 4:30 round for 18. Did not have to wait at all and pace of play was great. Needless to say, got in and out before the storm hit the city. The course was in fantastic shape from tee box, to fairway, to greens. And pace of play (which, normally is a criticism for this course) was good. And since the hurricane was slowly approaching, what is normally a 105F degree day in Vegas for mid-August it was only 85F. Couldn't ask for better weather.

This was the fourth time playing this golf course. Being a non-resident (visiting from CA), I usually pay a non-resident green fee - which, normally is double the normal rate a local will pay. Fortunately, I was able to find a "hot deal" on Golfnow and paid the resident rate this time around. First, the positives...I really like this golf course. The general layout, the difficulty of it, the staff, the fairways, etc. were all great. I would consider this one of my "go to" courses whenever I visit the Vegas area. But I don't know if it's due to the unusual weather this year or negligence, but the greens are in terrible shape. It seems like they are overtaken by some fungus at the moment so putting isn't pure. Also, the bunkers are pretty hard and dried out (not that much sand). Also, the driving range...every stall is pretty beat up. No grass to hit off of but just divots and dirt. But what's odd is that despite the poor conditions just mentioned the tee boxes and fairways are in excellent condition. If I had to pay full non-resident price to play this course again, I think I'd pass and wait until the greens get better and if they can improve the bunkers. This is the primary reason for the "3" rating this time around. When I played this course the first time a few years back, I gave it a 4/5. The course just needs a bit more TLC that's all, and once it does that rating will shoot up again. Lastly, one more thing...I don't know how far they space out tee times, but almost every round I've played here it will exceed 4.5 hours. The general play here is slow. But despite of that, because I do enjoy the course layout and staff friendliness, I'd recommend playing it at least once. Give it a try then you can decide for yourself if the pros outweigh the cons.

This is the 3rd time I've played this golf course, and I have mixed feelings this time around. First the good: The staff is fantastic. Super helpful, friendly, and organized. From checking in with the starter, the assistance getting my cart/range balls, the starter, and even the cart girl. I really appreciated their hospitality and friendliness. Also, the fairways were in excellent condition. The bad: the greens were "off" during this most recent round. Although the fairways were in great shape, the moment you got onto the greens it was bumpy and brown. I think they even spray painted the greens because it looked like an off green color. The ugly: Pace of play was horrific. Well over 5 hours. The weather was fantastic so I'm not surprised that it was a pretty busy day. But waited almost at every hole. Also, the green fees. I am a non-resident and I paid $160. I've played many courses back home in SoCal that were less expensive but had a nicer track/condition. Perhaps it's Vegas pricing for tourists? Specifically for this most recent round, I'd give the course 3.5 out of 5. But the reason for the four stars is because I know that this course can be/is better. As soon as the greens grown in and are better maintained and pace of play improves it is definitely a 4 out of 5. Still kind of pricey for what you get though if not a local.

This was my second time playing this golf course, and both times the course conditions were excellent. Both the fairways and greens were in great shape. The greens are fair as well...not too fast or too many breaks. All the holes were in decent shape. Only the water on hole 18 looked kinda dirty and drained, but otherwise good conditions. The only reasons why I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 out of 5 is because play can be somewhat slow (over 4.5 hours), and they actually lost my tee time. Fortunately, I had pulled up my reservation on my phone and they tried to rectify the situation immediately. The only issue is, since it was a busy day they either had me teeing off immediately without any warm up, or tee off 2 hours after my assigned tee time. That was a bummer. But in all, despite of these issues I'd still recommend the course for any level player.

Bears Best is a wonderful golf course. It's set around a beautiful community up in the hills where you can get a great view of the Vegas strip from some holes. The fairways and greens were in excellent condition and the staff that checked me in were courteous as they should be for a top tier golf course. They take your bag upon check-in and have it ready on a cart after you paid your green fees. Driving range was spacious as well as the putting green. So why the 3 star rating? Well, it's difficult because the course itself has a great layout and is well maintained. So were the staff. But after my round and headed out for the day when I checked my golf bag my GPS was missing! I am from CA so i was visiting and was staying in a hotel room. I charged my GPS the night before, and stuck it in my bag. But since the carts were equipped with GPS, I didn't bother to use mine. But only when I returned back to the hotel did I notice it was missing. I checked my entire hotel room and rental car...nowhere to be found. Also, I always keep it in a zipped up pocket in my golf bag so it doesn't fall out. So the only way it could have gone missing is if one of the "friendly" staff members lifted it when they took my bag and placed it on the cart when I checked in. I feel incredibly fortunate that I've had the ability to play a few top tier courses across the West. And not once have I ever experienced someone essentially stealing from my golf bag. I've heard stories about sleeves of balls and/or GPS devices go missing when traveling by airplane (which, is truly unfortunate), but never at a classy golf course. But after this experience at Bears Best now I stay cautious and never check my bags in with the staff anymore. This way I can always keep an eye on it and prevent my equipment from walking away.

Whenever I visit Las Vegas, I try to get a round in over at Bali Hai. It is literally a few blocks just south of the Vegas strip so access is incredibly easy. The staff is always very courteous and accommodating, never had any issues whatsoever whenever I play this golf course.
As for the course itself, they are always finding ways to improve upon what I would consider near perfect conditions. The greens are true (a bit quicker than my home course, making putting a bit more challenging), but the sand traps are fluffy and well maintained. It's challenging as far as length is concerned, but also very forgiving as many fairways run parallel to one another and often times if you hit the side of the hill the ball may roll back down onto the fairway itself.
Of course, in the summer it can get incredibly hot (> 100-110F), but playing in late September the weather conditions were perfect. (85-90F, 5-8 mph winds). I would definitely come back and play this course again, as well as recommend it to my friends.
(*Played on a Monday/weekday, the round only took 4 hours. Great pace of play).

This was the first time I played this course based on recommendation by a friend. I must say that the course layout was nice with some challenging but fair holes. Unfortunately, during my round I noticed that the fairways were not in the greatest condition (perhaps aeration in preparation for the fall/winter??) Also, the greens had a few brown spots as well. For the $140 price (non-resident green fee) I guess I expected a lot more. I've played quite a few golf courses in the Las Vegas area that were less expensive and in much better condition. The course should have offered a discounted rate given the course conditions.
Also, this course is definitely NOT walkable. Carts are highly encouraged. There were quite a few holes where the green to the next tee box was a far cart drive. But since our group all had carts, our round took the typical 4-4:30 hrs.
Despite of my comments about course conditions, I am sure when the course is in prime shape it would be a far more enjoyable experience. So I'd give it another play when conditions are better.