Chimera (Serpent Tees)
6530 yards – 70.3 Rating – 122 Slope – 83 Score
Day 3; April 23rd, 2017
The first thing I noticed about Chimera was the eye popping “green” of their greens. The word “pristine” came quickly to mind; and, really, the entire course was fantastically groomed and maintained. This is no small accomplishment in Southern Nevada but using reclaimed water certainly helps.
I, personally, benefited from the desert environment as all of the waste areas between fairways were playable and you really need to work to lose a ball at Chimera. Not having my best game going (being a little stiff, and a lot tired, played into this as much as anything I think) this saved me from a “blow up” hole more than once. The course is lightly bunkered, although the traps present are well placed both for course defense and as bailout devices for wayward shots. This track only has two ponds, both near the clubhouse; but manages to get them into play on 4 holes, creating nice finishing holes on both nines.
The course is not without its challenges. There are a couple water carries, including an approach to the 18th green with the hazard running right up to a green that is protected by a hill in the back steep enough to require a set of stairs. Playing from the black (Serpent) tees the course plays 6530 and some of the fairways are a little driver averse (narrow) if you are a at all unwieldy with the club. However, I played the whole way with a 3 wood (averaging around 220) and, other than a few mishit balls, had no problem finding the fairways and leaving myself decent approaches.
The 12th and 13th holes are a little unique as they are awash with waste area. The par four 12th is an absolute target golf hole with an island fairway and green surrounded by sandy waste area. The par three 13th is more of the same with tee and green the only grass available. The par 3 15th has a little of this flavor as well. I found it to be a nice use of elements from the locations natural surroundings to make the course interesting and provide variety to it’s holes.
In a relatively flat environment, Chimera also manages to put enough elevation change, both tee to green and laterally, into the course to keep it interesting from that perspective. Located in a populated area, the course is spread out fairly well and there are very few side by side holes, which is nice. It is a residential course, and as such you will be crossing city streets multiple times during the round. However, they are not busy and I didn’t have to wait on traffic a single time (although my golf board and I did cede the right of way to a few pedestrians).
I used a golfboard for the first time (I normally walk, but I figured I was in “Vegas” so why not try something a little different and theoretically fun). After taking a little time to get used to them, I found them fun and can see how they could really speed up play; allowing people to move with the independence of walking while at the speed of having a cart. I would say it takes three or four holes to really get used to driving them and they can be a bit of a distraction to your game during that process. However, after that they do offer something new and different to the round. They are certainly a more active part of the round than a cart typically is, so if you use one be prepared for part of your experience being the actual driving of your “cart.”
One of the busier courses I’ve played, I thought the air traffic controllers staff did a good and efficient job of managing the players while still being friendly and helpful. The starter in particular was an enjoyable fellow.
I enjoyed my morning at Chimera and at 3.5 hours, the pace was good and didn’t compromise the rest of my days plans. I was playing alone, but I never had to wait long for the group (of two) in front of me and the group (of four) behind kept pace the whole way. I can’t speak to how the pace was all day, but given the lineup of groups waiting to start first thing in the morning, and the regular pace the few groups I saw come in behind us maintained, it certainly felt like 4 hour rounds are a reasonable expectation here.