John,
I did a similar trip in November (South Bend, IN to Albuquerque, NM) and will be doing the same thing in a Budget truck next week. From what I gathered then, and even moreso now, you could run into decent weather or it could be miserable/unplayable depending on the day or week. I stopped the first time and played Rose Creek GC in Edmond, Oklahoma, more because it was a good stopping point than anything. Would have liked to have played Oak Tree instead, but that wasn't an option. Albuquerque has some nice courses and the weather is decent more often than not (despite yesterday's snow!). Tucson might be a little out of your way, but it would have better weather than going north through Flagstaff!

I didn't find much to play between Oklahoma City and Albuquerque. Hope that's at least a little bit helpful!

BTW, Tucson is a good 4 hours out of the way (2 hours south to Tucson, maybe more...and then 2 hours back north, because if you continue west from Tucson, you end up in San Diego)

One thing to check on regarding Paa-Ko Ridge is that I believe it is closed for awhile in the winter...not sure about Black Mesa. The courses in ABQ itself are much more likely to be open. If they are open then they are both very much worthwhile. Black Mesa is also probably an hour off I-40.

Albuquerque is right around 1200 miles from my start point.  An interesting route is to hit Lubbock at about 1000 miles and then go to Tuscon and then into LA.  I would probably just take a cart tour of The Rawls course like I recently did at Rustic.  I'm surprised that the route from Tuscon to LA does not take me through San Diego...I hear there is a second tier Jesuit school in that town my daughter might have considered if she didn't get in LMU.

I'm surprised that the route from Tuscon to LA does not take me through San Diego...I hear there is a second tier Jesuit school in that town my daughter might have considered if she didn't get in LMU.

If you mean The University of San Diego (alma mater of my brother, sister, two cousins), then I don't know which part will more insult them... second tier or Jesuit... I'd argue they are definitely the former (to piss them off) but even I can't call them the latter.  Catholic yes, Jesuit no.

I do thank you though for a GREAT line to feed to my siblings, who I will be seeing soon... and with whom I battle viciously on these matters.

BTW, as to your question - won't you find pretty much bad winter weather no matter where you go if you drive?  You will have no such issues in LA... and plenty of places to tee it up....

TH

JB, Even though the temps get up well above freezing, all north facing slopes will continue to have snow on them for weeks (3)

The Rawls is your best bet. And unless you aren't up to playing, I encourage you to play it.

John,

I will fly out, pick up the car, drive it to L.A. for you, play golf along the way for you, and stay with your brother for $735.

Is it OK if I take the car into Mexico?

That is one hell of an offer.  If you want to ride shotgun you are welcome to come along for the ride and golf.  I've got the car and the gas and lodging taken care of.  Your golf and food and getting back home expenses would be on you...

Go directly south to I-10 and head west.  The weather will be fine all along the way and there will be lots of good golf along the way.  Any thing farther north is iffy at best.

Road construction slow in January?  

I spoke to the architect last night and it looks like I will be playing Vista Verde and Longbow near Phoenix around January 2nd or 3rd...Has anyone out there played either course and have any ideas on what to look for.

John

Have you thought about going Eastward (Ho!?)?

Drive to NYC, taking in walking tours of the great posh courses on the way.  Slow boat to Ireland, where you can get in some great winter golf at Lahinch, Portsalon, etc.  Ferry to the UK and do Scotalnd and Lancashire.  Eurostar to France and then down to Istanbul via the Orient Express.  Just one word--Morfontaine.  Caravan through Kahzakstan and all those other cheerful ex-Soviet republics, but heading to China, where the future of the game lies.  Spend 3 w2eek there and then pay a brief homage to Allison in Japan.  Forget about Australia, as we already know from the Ozzers on this forum how great they are.  Chill out in Hawaii, and then take a Matson steamer to Long Beach.  By the time you've arrived there you'll wonder why the hell am I in LA?  Then you take the Winnebago back to Lawrenceville.

John,

I am surprised you even had to pose the question. This is a big country. If you have the ability to take your time and drive across it playing golf the whole way??....... where you stop and play is only a minor secondary question. Pack up the trunk man, get your maps out and drive!

John,

I am surprised you even had to pose the question. This is a big country. If you have the ability to take your time and drive across it playing golf the whole way??....... where you stop and play is only a minor secondary question. Pack up the trunk man, get your maps out and drive!

Paul,

There are always advantages to declaring a trip like this on this site.  For one, I am surprised the New Mexico courses are closed.  For two, I am collecting friends along the way as we speak.  For three,  I have gotten course suggestions that I didn't know about.  For four,  in most cases private access opens itself up (this is a strange route for privates).  For five,  I had strongly considered transporting the car and wanted to work things out in my head.  For six,  I am still looking for a buddy to ride shotgun and am not registered on Match.com.