LA to Palm Springs

[Sandy Smith]

Is there any thing worth playing between LAX and Palm Springs ? It looks to me that Rustic Canyon is to far out of the way . Thanks

[Martin Del Vecchio]

How's this for vague?

I can't remember the name of the course, or the town.  I believe the reviewer was Ron Whitten, but I can't be sure of that either.  And 10 minutes with Google produced no tangible information.

But I believe there is a course around Riverside that Ron Whitten really liked.  Golf Digest has gone out of its way to make it impossible to find Whitten reviews on their site.  But maybe somebody else remembers it?

[David Stamm]

Sandy, I would recommend Oak Valley in Beaumont, a Schmidt/Curley design. It's right off the I-10. I haven't played Goose Creek, another one of their designs in Riverside County, but it has received praise on the site here.

[rjsimper]

Oak Quarry for spectacular/memorable
Goose Creek for walkable/pleasant/not overly difficult

Both are midway-ish between LA and Palm Springs. 

As David said, Oak Valley in Beaumont is not bad, however I would choose Oak Quarry over it at the price they ask (and Beaumont is getting much closer to Palm Springs, where you may as well actually play in Palm Springs)

[Adam_Messix]

I made the drive from LAX to Palm Springs this past March and will admit that there's not much on the way, particularly if you stay away from I-10 going through LA.  Oak Quarry has a couple of nice courses, but if you can get an additional round in Palm Springs, I would do that.  The drive out to Palm Springs is all dependent on traffic, it can be ok, but it's usually awful.

[TX Golf]

I don't know the names of the courses, but the two SCGA (southern california golf association) courses are on the way from LAX to Palm Springs. I have heard good reviews but never played there myself. Where are you playing in Palm Springs???

Robert

[cary lichtenstein]

Oak Quarry is excellent, great topography, a wonderful par 3 at the bottom of the quarry, you will enjoy your round there.

There is also an old inn that the Kennedy's spent their honeymoon in, I forget the name, in case you are staying there.

[Pat Burke]

I don't know the names of the courses, but the two SCGA (southern california golf association) courses are on the way from LAX to Palm Springs. I have heard good reviews but never played there myself. Where are you playing in Palm Springs???

Robert

I think you may mean the SCPGA courses in Beaumont?  The section sold the courses (now called East Valley), although they still have a presence there.  Courses are okay, but I played there twice this week on the Champions course with a student, and the conditions are not good.  Greens are slow but roll decently, but the fairways are a mess!  A combination of baked out dry areas/mud bogs from trying to help the dry areas/ and the most consistent turf...crabgrass.   I would pass for now.
Oak Quarry has some great eye catching holes, and is a pretty entertaining round.  Oak Valley is an annual site for stage 2 of q school, and is a pretty good course.  Wind can be a major issue at either OAk Valley or East valley, and I don't mean a breeze, but wind that makes your hair hurt after the round!
If you can, Victoria Golf Club (Riverside)is a fun old course (Behr maybe?) but private.
I heard Dr Mackenzie had some input at Redlands CC (another private) but I haven't played there yet

[rjsimper]

Good call on Redlands Pat - It's private, but as of 10 years ago *(yes, not recent info I know) they accepted reciprocal private play.

[Jon Wiggett]

How's this for vague?

I can't remember the name of the course, or the town.  I believe the reviewer was Ron Whitten, but I can't be sure of that either.  And 10 minutes with Google produced no tangible information.

But I believe there is a course around Riverside that Ron Whitten really liked.  Golf Digest has gone out of its way to make it impossible to find Whitten reviews on their site.  But maybe somebody else remembers it?

Martin,

are you sure it was Golf Digest?

[Doug Bolls]

I remember playing Moreno Valley Ranch - 27 holes of pretty good golf.  Haven't been there in years, but remember some very interesting holes.

[Yancey_Beamer]

Alister Mackenzie revised the course in 1927 from 9 to 18 holes.The green committee chairman was Raven Hornby who claimed credit as the architect stating that Mac was only a consultant. This is a true Mackenzie course and is a joy to play.Reciprocal play is allowed.

[Yancey_Beamer]

Redlands  (oops)

[rjsimper]

I remember playing Moreno Valley Ranch - 27 holes of pretty good golf.  Haven't been there in years, but remember some very interesting holes.

Eh.

There are a few memorable holes amongst the 27, but I'd say ANY of the Beaumont courses (East Valley, Oak Valley) are better...and none of those as good as Redlands, Oak Quarry, or even Goose Creek.

[Michael Robin]

Cary -

I literally just spent the weekend in the exact bungalow that you spoke of, only it is in Montecito at The San Ysidro Ranch. The bungalow is aptly named "Kennedy." It is the next exit off of the 101 past Sheffield Dr, which is of course the exit you take to get to the Valley Club of Montecito.

In terms of this thread, Oak Valley is fun. Has anyone played the South Course at Los Serranos recently? Used to be a very solid track. Also, liked Escena(sp?) in Palm Springs.

[Jon Spaulding]

Sandy, why not fly into Ontario.....

Michael - thanks for the clarifying SYR as the honeymoon locale instead of the implied Mission Inn. SYR is my favorite place to stay in this state since the redux by Ty Warner. I believe Escena fell victim to the housing meltdown and it mothballed.

I would advise against Oak Quarry this time of year. Weather has been miserable of late, they have enough struggles with conditioning in the first place, and October is only a few weeks away. Once you get past all that....the course is very average with the exception of a few holes.

For privates, Victoria is definitely a good call.....quirk in volume there. A better call is to head North on 405 for a couple of minutes and turn right on Wilshire or left on Sunset .

For publics, I'd recommend Santa Anita. Right on the way out and very interesting.

[Tim Leahy]

I would also recommend the Ike course at Industry Hills-very tough test and usually in good shape.