Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino
Barona Creek Golf Club
Lakeside, Calif.
Best gambling hole: No. 14, par 4, 316 yards
“A short tight fairway, with a mountainous natural reserve to the right. Most of the time it’s downwind, so it’s appealing. I’ve taken everything from a 2 to a 9. That’s what makes it a lot of fun.”
—Don King, director of golf
Coeur D’Alene Casino
Circling Raven Golf Club
Worley, Idaho
Best gambling hole: No. 10, par 4, 336 yards
“This is a slight dogleg right, with wetlands all along the right side. Lay up to about 215 or bomb it with the driver. Hey, I always bomb it, but I’m a gambler.”
—Dave Christenson, director of golf
Fortune Bay Resort Casino
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay
Tower, Minn.
Best gambling hole: No. 13, par 4, 340 yards
“It’s about a 290-yard carry over water to the green, but even if you bail out right, you can find a waste bunker. The safe play is a 4-iron off the tee. I’ve yet to drive the green, but I’ve seen others succeed.” —Joe Wisocki, director of golf
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Lake of Isles (North Course)
North Stonington, Conn.
Best gambling hole: No. 15, par 5, 574 yards
“The second shot is 100 percent carry. You can poke a 7-iron down in front, or just mash a 3-wood and hope you carry the native grasses. It’s a choice every time.”
—Brock Nicholas, director of golf
L’Auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino
Contraband Bayou Golf Club
Lake Charles, La.
Best gambling hole: No. 14, par 4, 369 yards.
“The prevailing wind is at your back, which makes it very tempting to go for the green. The throat is 15 yards wide, but if you miss, there are all kinds of bunkers and trees that are not fun to hit from.”
—Ray Butgereit, director of golf
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa
Whirlwind G.C. at Wild Horse Pass (Devil’s Claw)
Chandler, Ariz.
Best gambling hole: No. 9, par 4, 441 yards
“It features a split fairway. The small landing area to the left puts you 150 yards out. Or you can go right and be at 200. I always go left, but there’s a reason they call it a gamble.”
—Michael Hurd, general manager
Turning Stone Resort and Casino
Atunyote Golf Club
Verona, N.Y.
Best gambling hole: No. 5, par 5, 520 yards
“It runs along a gorge, so if you miss, you’re climbing. A good tee shot leaves you 240 yards into the hole. Miss and the potential birdie becomes an automatic bogey.”
—Bob O’Brian, director of golf
Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Golf Club
Las Vegas
Best gambling hole: No. 17, par 4, 498 yards
“A well-placed tee shot through a tree-lined chute is a must here, then the approach must avoid water right and in front of the green. A par on this long hole can feel like a winning gamble.”
—Brian Hawthorne, director of golf
