Shadow Creek first time - $625 for fake trees and I kinda loved it

[FairwayFrank]

So I finally pulled the trigger on Shadow Creek last month. Stayed at the Bellagio, so the rate dropped to $625 instead of the $1000 rack rate. Limo picks you up, you drive through a gate, and suddenly you're in North Carolina pine forest in the middle of the Vegas desert. It's absurd. They literally trucked in every tree, every bush, every blade of grass.

Here's the thing though. I went in ready to hate it. Fake course, fake ambiance, tourist trap, all that. And I still walked away thinking it's one of the most fun rounds I've played. The conditioning is stupid good. Fairways like carpet. Greens rolled pure. The caddie knew every break and actually helped instead of just carrying the bag.

Is it worth $625? Depends what you're comparing it to. For the same money you could fly to Bandon and play three rounds. Or you could do what I did and treat it as a one-time Vegas thing. I don't regret it. But I also don't need to go back.

My gripe is the fake waterfall on 18. Felt like I was putting at a mini golf course. Everything else, honestly, they nailed it.

Anyone else play it? Curious if the price has crept up even more.