Public Golf in Palm Springs, CA

[Jeff_Brauer]

A cousin of mine just emailed, saying he would be in Palm Springs in June and would like to play golf.  He's probably on a budget, and I have to say my Palm Springs golf is limited to Big Horn, PGA West and the Quarry, plus a few visits to Ted R. Marriot something or other and another TR course named Desert Horizons, or something.  

Any suggestions as to where he might play?

[David Wigler]

Jeff,

It might be a little pricey (OK - A lot pricey) but PGA West is one of those once in a lifetime golf experiences.  He will either love it or hate it but it is a must play!!

[Matt_Ward]

A few suggestions ... in no particular order.

PGA West (Stadium) see David's comments.

Desert Willow (36 holes) / play Fire Cliff 18 by Hurdzan & Fry in Palm Desert ... course owned by town. Rates reasonable.

Shadow Ridge Marriott / new Faldo design (?) good layout on desert floor in Palm Desert.

Desert Dunes /  in Desert Hot Springs bring your best wind game and have your hat stapled to your head!!!

Hope this helps ... rates in June should drop a good bit.  

Landmark (36 holes) home of Skins Game in Indio.

LaQuinta / play Mountain Course (Pete Dye) if available.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Thanks for the quick response.  I'll forward it on, but as he is coming out of the service, I'll bet price will trump playing quality.

[A_Clay_Man]

Take him where Tommy took me. About an hour west is a Desmond Muirhead course who's name I'm working on as I type. Quail something... maybe Ridge. For 22 bucks you can get waterfalls on 9 and 18 just like in PS   .

 Also you may want to talk to the head pro, he is very interested in undoing what interim ownerships have done with bunker placements.

Oddly enough the emperor and I both agreed that the 18th needed a cross carry one to better define the hole and give it some strategic value.
The regular golfers are a nice bunch of tough golfers. They appreciate thier course and respect its ability to bite back.


Also,
Cimmaron isn't cheap but it ain't insane and is a refreshing  change from the norm (in PS) The mackenzie style bunkering is visually appealing but the course lacks a continued challenge. Note the Hell bunker on one of the 5's and I think it's the 16th hole is a  mind messer with its options.

[THuckaby2]

Adam - the one you're thinking of is Quail Ranch in Moreno Valley, and yeah, that would be a good spot.

Jeff, if your cousin is willing to venture back toward LA a bit, there are several decent courses like this, much cheaper than those in the desert.  That being said, in June he'll get summer rates down there which will be pretty good everywhere... They do indeed lower the rates considerably for those willing to endure triple digit temperatures.  I've done it many times myself...

Out near Quail Ranch is Moreno Valley Ranch GC - three Pete Dye nines, cheap, fun.  Oak Valley is also about an hour from Palm Desert, and that's a great course that at least used to be a decent deal....

But the key here is that even the biggies down in the desert will be decently priced come June.

TH

[Jeff_Stettner]

Jeff:
I just played the already mentioned Faldo course (with Schmidt/Curly), Shadow Ridge, and I really sugest your brother take a look. There is some amazing width to the golf course, with some holes 90 yards wide and as many as three very distinct attack angles to greens. The bunkering is worth seeing before it turns into a conditioning nightmare; I hate to see what they spend annually. A weak finish really hurts the golf course, but there are some very fun golf holes and a surprising lack of containment mounding.

[Dennis_Harwood (Guest)]

AFTER June 1st a number of the private clubs allow guests to play if sponsered by a member, unaccompanied(its not inexpensive however)-- If he wants to try one of the private courses a little calling around may open a few doors--the year round public access courses are pretty well detailed above--

[DMoriarty]

The rates go way down in June, as the heat goes up.  This is especially true if he gets a golf package with a room. For example, in mid to late June, two players can stay one night at La Quinta and play one day unlimited golf at La Quinta and/or PGA West for about $110 per person, total.   A good deal if you dont mind the heat.

[John_D._Bernhardt]

I enjoyed the Mountain course and was blown away with Big Horn. The Mountain was nice good but not great golf with less intrusion from homes than other places and Big Horm may or may not be good golf but it is incredible conspicuous consumption.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Jeff, All of the courses mentioned are worthy come June 1st when the desert unofficially closes. However a lot of them drop their rates in mid-May.

Landmark is one to go play as is Mission Hills Resort (Lee Schmidt doing Pete Dye) which is usually a bargain by then.