Golf continues to expand in the United States, reaching 47.2 million Americans aged 6 and older in 2024. Much of that momentum has come from younger audiences, who now make up more than half of all golfers, up 40% over the past decade.
Away from the Strip, Las Vegas works surprisingly well for families who golf. Photo credit: Shutterstock.
That growth reshapes how families travel. Talk of casino nights fades into excited whispers about greenside discoveries and caddie-guided putts, and where Strip-view drives and desert vistas are all on the tee sheet. Family-friendly golf tees off every day in Las Vegas, but how you craft the itinerary is where the magic happens.
Active trips are among the top travel trends for 2026, according to Virtuoso’s latest Luxe Report. As noted at Virtuoso Travel Week 2025, hotels are offering a range of activities to accommodate multigenerational travel, and golf is part of the mix.
As the golf industry grows and more families take part in the game together, it opens the door to less expected getaways. Las Vegas may not be the first destination that comes to mind when you plan a family golf trip, but it’s like flipping the script on a classic Vegas tale. The high-stakes neon lights give way to sun-kissed fairways that build bonds across generations.
A compact city with room to play
One of the reasons Las Vegas fits so easily into a family golf itinerary is geography. The city’s compact 135-square-mile sprawl makes navigation a delight. Harry Reid International Airport is one of the most connected hubs in the U.S. More than 140 cities offer nonstop flights, including major metros such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Boston and Denver.
For families living near cities served by JSX, a public charter operator, passengers can bypass long security lines and board through private terminals. JSX has a hub in Las Vegas, so you can actually enjoy the flight rather than dread it. Business-class legroom and a private-plane-type experience are a game-changer for families.
You can also find some of the most famous golf courses in the country. The Wynn Golf Club and the famously elusive Shadow Creek draw golfers from around the world, but neither is particularly designed with families in mind. Shadow Creek, in particular, requires a stay at an MGM property on the Strip, putting guests squarely in the middle of crowds, noise and late-night energy.
Consider staying at a property off the Strip for a quieter home base with easy access to some of southern Nevada’s best golf. At Green Valley Ranch, the resort’s Strip-facing rooms share a clear view of the lights of Las Vegas shimmering in the distance, but the atmosphere feels far removed from the chaos. The Mediterranean-style property has 493 rooms, a 30,000-square-foot spa, an expansive pool complex, a movie theater and a lineup of casual restaurants that make it easy for families to settle in.
For travelers who want to simplify logistics, some suite categories include access to a butler service that can arrange airport transfers and transportation to nearby courses. Green Valley Ranch sits within easy reach of several standout golf courses that cater to a wide range of skill levels, including Cascata, Serket and Bali Hai, which makes it an ideal hub for a family-friendly golf itinerary.
3 courses, 3 very different days
Cascata Golf Club is east of the city, with desert cliffs and wide corridors that create a sense of space, near Las Vegas. The mandatory caddie program changes the experience entirely for families. A caddie handles yardages, club selection and pace of play, so parents can focus on the round while younger players stay engaged without pressure. The location also pairs naturally with a visit to nearby Hoover Dam or Lake Mead.
Bali Hai places palm-lined fairways against a backdrop of hotels and passing aircraft. Planes descend overhead, traffic hums beyond the fence line and yet the course maintains a calm, almost surreal feel once play begins. For families short on time, Bali Hai allows a full round of golf without ever leaving the heart of the city, making it one of the most accessible options in Las Vegas.
Serket, formerly known as Rio Secco Golf Club, is a short drive from Green Valley Ranch. Along several holes, large hillside homes line the course, turning the round into a slow tour of the area’s architecture. Multiple tee options make the course workable for mixed-ability groups, and the short drive makes it easy to fit a morning round into the day without constraining the entire schedule. For families, Serket offers a low-pressure option and very friendly staff.
For families who want to swing a club without committing to a full course, Las Vegas provides two easy alternatives that fit naturally into a day. Topgolf is situated in the heart of the Strip corridor, close to major resorts and works well as a stop between other plans. Climate-controlled bays keep play comfortable, and the addition of a pool adds another layer to the experience, especially on warmer afternoons when attention spans run short.
Atomic Golf sits just outside the Strip, where the pace eases slightly. Its multi-level range combines golf bays with lounges and high-definition screens to create a setting that mixes golf with broader entertainment and social space rather than single-purpose driving. Both give families a chance to keep clubs in hand and energy high, even when a full course feels too long for part of the day.
Fill the hours between tee times
When the clubs are stowed, Vegas delivers a jackpot of kid-approved activities. Ascend the High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel, for 30-minute rides in family cabins offering panoramic views of the cityscape.
Racing enthusiasts in the family will love the F1 Arcade at Caesars Palace. Kids aged seven and up can participate until 7 p.m. and dive into 87 high-octane racing simulators, watch live Grand Prix screenings and enjoy premium dining in a vibrant, 21,000-square-foot venue. For even more motorsport magic, check out the Grand Prix Plaza, reopening Jan. 30 with family-oriented attractions like F1 X for hands-on car design and F1 Drive’s official karting on part of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
For a touch of history and engineering marvel, head to Hoover Dam, just a quick 45-minute drive southeast. Red Rock Canyon, a mere 20 minutes west, has easy hiking trails that wind through stunning red sandstone formations and picnic spots that offer a peaceful contrast to the urban energy.
Finally, don’t miss the free magic of the Fountains of Bellagio, dancing to music every 15-30 minutes, paired with the ever-changing botanical displays in the Conservatory that draw more than 5 million visitors annually for their seasonal wonder.
Back at Green Valley Ranch, some evenings require no plans at all. The kids head to Kids Quest. The adults find the spa’s hot tub and sauna. After full days on the course, that balance feels about right.
Casandra Karpiak is a Thomas Lowell Gold Award-winning writer and luxury travel expert. A regular contributor to “Ultimate Experiences Magazine” and “Global Traveler Magazine,” she primarily focuses on luxury accommodations and resorts, yachts and super yachts, small ship cruise lines, sports tourism and the intersection of wine and travel.
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