Palm Springs Teaser continued for 2024 Golf Vacations

[Socrates]

I've only played Escena once (at least the 1st 13 holes) the afternoon we flew in. By the 2nd Par 3 - #5 my contacts were really dry and hazy so I figured I would take them out and rinse them and put them back in. Worked before. One eye is easier than the other with no mirror. Get that one in. Drop the other one onto the cart path. #^&*(! Find it and now I can't get it in and the group behind is getting close. More *(#^%!*ing. Hit my shot with one eye open and then finally get the contact back in. Pack a mirror, dummy!!

I liked Escena. Not just a throwaway round, imo. I'll give it a try the next time I'm there so I can see all the holes.

[vernon]

Thanks for the great photos David! Glad you were able to recover them.

Just some general opinions about a few of the other courses that have been mentioned above:

We didn't care much for the Dunes or Mountain courses either although our first round ever in Palm Springs was the Dunes and we didn't know any better and thought it was pretty cool at the time. Wouldn't go back though and other than three or so holes we didn't think the Mountain was that great either. And I agree with the comment about everything being packed in tight between the houses.

And I DEFINITELY agree with mikedejong33 regarding his SilverRock assessment. It went from being our number one favorite to another one that we'll never go back to. Too bad but they just really ruined the back nine and since it's one of the more expensive options already it's off the list.

Fortunately, there's lots of other good options.

The lack of a range at Escena made it a bad choice for our first round last year. After not hitting a ball in almost two months a decent warmup would certainly have been appreciated. I gotta say though the nets and mats that they have setup there are by far the nicest and best I've seen. The fact that the mats are set back a decent distance from the nets gives a guy at least a little sense of how you're hitting it as opposed to most places where the nets are only a few feet away. Really good quality range mats too.

We also think that Eagle Falls is the best value in the valley. Under a hundred bucks is a heckuva deal for such a well designed and maintained facility. Lots of fun and variety and we always look forward to playing there.

We only played the Norman course once and the wind was blowing 30 mph but we still really liked it and are hoping to go back this year and try it again with more favorable conditions. We found the layout to be pretty unique to the area and the desert areas bordering the over seeded ryegrass makes for a stunning visual.

Desert Willow Firecliff might be at the top of our current list and I could play there everyday and be pretty happy. Really nice practice facility too.

We also like the Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West although some people don't care for the routing through the homes and condos. But while the holes are indeed lined with 'em they're much farther back from the golf course then someplace like La Quinta Mountain so we don't find them to be much of a factor and are actually kinda cool to check out. Maybe we're just a bunch of fanboys but we also enjoy playing a course that we just watched the guys play on TV a couple of weeks prior too.

Classic Club is another course that ain't cheap but we think is really good and we'll definitely play there this year. It was getting a little rough around the edges for the price and the bunkers were terrible so we skipped it last year but it's my understanding that they've done a complete renovation of the bunkers and fixed up a few other issues as well so we're looking forward to getting back over there. I don't want to jinx us but we've never encountered the legendary wind while over there either. In fact, the day at the Norman course is the only time that we've had an issue with the wind in Palm Springs and that's over a ten year period.

HOWEVER, our flat out "A" Number One favorite in the area is Ram's Hill in Borrego Springs. It's about and hour and fifteen minute drive depending on where you're at in PS but we think it's the best public course that we play out there and we've been told by more than a few folks that it's better than quite a few of the private courses. Usually around a hundred twenty five bucks or so and beyond worth it. Absolutely love that place and it's our favorite round of the trip.

Twenty seven day to go!

But who's counting.......

[KUJayhawks]

We've got a group of Palm Springs first timers heading down there 1/23 - 1/26. Quick little trip, but we're looking forward to it. We are staying at the Mission Hills Country Club and the itinerary is:

1/23 - MHCC Palmer Course

1/24 -Looking for somewhere nearby to play in the morning and the Dinah Shore course in the afternoon

1/25 - MHCC Dye course

We won the trip at auction, so that explains all the MHCC courses. As for the morning round, we still need to book something. I know the Westin Mission Hills courses are basically next door, so that would make it really easy trying to squeeze in 36 but can't find a lot of info on the courses. Anyone have opinions on the Dye vs Player course at that facility? I'm guessing we'll do one of those out of ease, but would we be that much better off driving the 10-15 minutes to Dessert Willow to play FireCliff?

Any help is much appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Dave

[ZipinZ]

KUJayhawks .... found a few old pic's from the Westin Gary Player course, from what I recall it was OK, I would rather drive the 10 min to play D.W. Firecliff, take advantage of the 20% Discount Coupon I posted earlier, you won't be disappointed. I'll load some pic's I had from Desert Willow tonight.

Cheers

David

 

[ZipinZ]

Paul .... excellent course review, agree SilverRock improvements are disappointing, wouldn't go back either, a neighbor from back home owns a house in LaQuinta and he's really frustrated with what they did. Two years ago, I convinced a neighbor here to play Ram's Hill, unfortunately, we had to cancel, never had the opportunity to go back, maybe this year.

D.

 

 

[KUJayhawks]

Thanks! Booked Firecliff with the discount. Would love to see some pics. What's the latest you can play down there this time of year? I see sunset is around 5, can you make it to 5:30 if necessary? I've got a 7:20 at DW and am thinking about 12:30-1pm at the Dinah shore that afternoon.

 

Thanks,

Dave

[mikedejong33]

I forgot about Classic Club! It is another great course, absolutely love it there. It can get windy, and its not cheap, but that is a real nice place as well.

[bb123]

@ZipinZ definitely make the drive out to Ram's Hill to check it out. The course is great, and the drive is very unique (coming from a Canadian). It is like driving through the Breaking Bad set as you will see tons of Motorhomes just parked out in the middle of nowhere and it looks like Walter Whyte is cooking up some stuff inside .. lol@mikedejong33 Yes, classic club is a little $$$, but is definitely worth it if you can go twilight or cheaper. What they don't really publicly advertise is that each round comes with a $15 food/drink voucher which can also be used for booze on the course. I'm not sure if this is offered to everyone for each round, but everytime i've gone we always get one. I think the $$ goes to help student chefs or something like that, there is a charitable aspect to it I believe.

[isaacbm]

Cool thread! I love the California desert area. Lived in both Palm Desert and La Quinta for 10 years. Just got back from a trip last week. One of my favourite places!!

[davep043]

Can I ask how you arranged to play at The Quarry? I understand that its private, do you know a member there, or were you able to make arrangements through your home club?

[bulls9999]

I miss going out there every year.... when my wife's parents lived out there. I have numerous memorable times.

 

[bigkidneys]

Looks amazing buddy. Something about mountains just stirs my soul here in Florida.

[isaacbm]

Half empty much? ?

[southbay]

You also get a really nice towel and excellent customer service.

[ZipinZ]

KUJayhawks .... Desert Willow - Firecliff pic's, from my album that were all lost with Photobucket .... fortunately I saved them on my memory stick, one of my favourite courses out here, you'll enjoy it, guaranteed.

Cheers

David

See ....

 

Hole #1 ... Sorry no Sign Post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost an Ace on my first round here!

 

 

No 9 .... No Sign Post.

 

Lost #16 pic's .....

 

Hope you enjoyed D.W. Firecliff track, much better than their Mountain course.

 

[ZipinZ]

Got my first round in at Escena today, at 12:24 pm paid $49.00/single using my Escena Club Membership, we were on 18 fairway at 4:03 & lost the sun over the Mountain, finished at 4:10 pm. just under 4 hours. Played OK, the short game needs work, came home with the same ball, no 3 putts & no birdies, made a 25 footer for par, best drive 271 yds on #9, shot 40/41-81, felt good to be back out enjoying the game. More range time required.

D.

Escena Practice Area:

Mentioned this before Escena has no range you warm up hitting into nets.

 

Chipping Area - forget to take a Pic of the Putting Green.

 

Got this AGOZ G80 Belt Case on E-Bay .... works great.

 

Escena # 18 - KuJayhawks - disadvantage of late round, lost the sun at 4:03 pm (January 08th) it was dark by 5:00 pm.

 

Garmin G80 - Connect Software tracks your stats, no need for a card or pencil.

 

[bulls9999]

Wow, great photos. My wife just said her friend and husband here in town went out to Palm Springs and played that same course.

[bulls9999]

Huh?

[KUJayhawks]

Thanks a bunch for the pics. Looks awesome!

[isaacbm]

As in glass half empty as opposed to half full. Your entire post every point was negative. Just giving you the gears. For somebody sitting up in a snowdrift in Canada hearing all of the bad things about Palm Springs seems like a glass half empty kind of comment.

[vernon]

Gee David is that all you got to show for Desert Willow?

Was hoping for something a bit more "comprehensive".

And only seventeen holes?

Pitiful.

[lchang]

Ha! Very impressive. I wouldn’t be able to focus on playing golf at all if I were taking that many photos!

[ZipinZ]

Fellas .... this track gets busy, if I recall it was a 5 hour round, hurray up & wait & take a few pic's ... pleased you enjoyed them.

D

[ZipinZ]

 

I played the Terra Lago - "North" in Indio, a number of times it's much better than their South Course, didn't care for the 21 mile, 1/2 hour drive down I10, checked the green fees, $113.00 morning and down to $72.00 at 1:00 pm and less thereafter. It's scenic, your at one of the highest points in the Valley, from this location, you would get much more daylight to finish a late afternoon round.

Here's a video they have on their website.https://youtu.be/WpmEqfiTdmQthe sun goes down.

A few pic's

D.

Hole #1.

 

Creative Bridge over the canal.

 

Best Hole on the entire course - Island Green, my pic not theirs, hit the green 12 ft for Birdie, missed it!

 

 

[lchang]

What's your view of the Westin Mission Hills courses? Seem pretty nice. Just wondering if the houses around the course are "really in play" --or are they far enough away (or slightly higher in elevation) so that only a very errant shot hits a house?

[ZipinZ]

It's been a few years since I played the Weston "Gary Player" not the "Pete Dye" see post # 34 for a few pic's. I recall there were lots of very nice expensive homes on that course, I didn't hit any, perhaps someone viewing can respond.Edit: ... I remembered, the Player course was laid out where you could run the ball up from 200 yds out on a number of the holes, no bunkers protecting the front of the green.

Cheers

David

[Socrates]

I'm gonna have to give Terra Lago a whirl next time I'm there. Looks like I'd enjoy that one.

[Socrates]

Two very different types of courses. There are more houses surrounding Player, but because most are well above the level of the course, they really weren't a threat. Fewer houses and a little further away except for a couple of holes. I don't know which one I prefer as Player has a more creative layout from what I remember. Dye is supposed to be 18 holes from courses he made over the years. In that respect, the course is kinda weird - almost contrived since there is no real consistent theme. I scored better on the Dye course. FWTW.

[vernon]

81 the first round outta the box? Pretty good start to your season in the desert.

Good for you I say!

[bulls9999]

Sorry it came across that way as it is a most beautiful place I used to travel to annually, even though I was only able to go during August (hot) and still played golf through the heat. And as I closed my post, "I need to ask my wife to let's make a trip to visit her brother out there again". Yea, some things that happened were memorable, even though I broke a neighbor's tile shingle, almost stepped on a rattler, etc., but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.