Palm Springs Teaser continued for 2024 Golf Vacations

[ZipinZ]

Feb 26th ... a few sprinkles last night but nothing like the L.A. area got. Sun came out this am, it's warming up to 60F today, a few pic's before I head out to the range, golfing Escena tomorrow.

 

D.

 

The place were renting at the Desert Princess has 7 holes in the wash area across from the airport ... see the control tower.

 

 

 

 

Snow in the local Mtn's ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 26, 2023 by ZipinZ

[vernon]

18 hours ago, ZipinZ said:

Feb 26th ... a few sprinkles last night but nothing like the L.A. area got. Sun came out this am, it's warming up to 60F today, a few pic's before I head out to the range, golfing Escena tomorrow.

 

D.

 

The place were renting at the Desert Princess has 7 holes in the wash area across from the airport ... see the control tower.

 

 

 

 

Snow in the local Mtn's ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh how I miss those glorious windmill farms!

 

Simply stunning......

[ZipinZ]

Feb 27 - Played Escena had a 1:07 TT for $75.00, sun was out very little wind but cool around 60F.  Went to warm up at the practice area & was disappointed once again with the quality of the range balls. I had some at my station, but other guys were using the push cart ball picker to round up some, you would think the staff would look after ensuring there were adequate balls at each station. The hitting cage netting is also deteriorating and looking pretty shabby. Got out on time with 3 Cdn's from Calgary, they were a good bunch, played well & we all had a good time. Stayed out of most of the bunkers, shot 81, 1 water ball & 1 kick-in Birdie on #12 & missed a few other opportunities. Wind picked up and it clouded over on the back 9, sun went over the Mtn temp dropped to about 55F, wish I dressed warmer, we finished at 5:20 almost dark. Noticed a few other greens were sure struggling with dead patches mainly around the fringes, never seen them in this poor shape before. Otherwise the rest of the course was well maintained. Escena has always been my favorite, I buy their short stay membership which allows me to book online 3 days in advance at reduced rates. Like most courses this year, they raised their green fees, but I've noticed the condition of their greens has seen better days, hope their greens super gets it under control. A few pic's ...

 

 

 

 

No 12 the two tier green was playing 194 Yds, hit 5 iron to less than 2 ft for Birdie, made me smile. See the clouds & snow in Mtn's in background, it's 12-14 degrees below normal, it was cool this afternoon with more wind/rain/snow expected on Wednesday.

 

[ZipinZ]

March 01st ... another windy rain day, went to the PGA Superstore to check out the 2023 Ping putters, returned at 3:00 pm to 47F and a hail storm, never seen hail in P.S. before. Poor people who had a TT this afternoon .... crazy weather.  A few pic's.

 

D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Socrates]

39 minutes ago, ZipinZ said:

March 01st ... another windy rain day, went to the PGA Superstore to check out the 2023 Ping putters, returned at 3:00 pm to 47F and a hail storm, never seen hail in P.S. before. Poor people who had a TT this afternoon .... crazy weather.  A few pic's.

 

D.

 

 

Canadian's likely still wandering around in shorts and a t-shirt.  Oblivious to the locals bundled up in parkas.

[vernon]

Wow.

 

Just wow.

 

Never thought I'd see the day that I would say "I'm glad I'm not in Palm Springs."

 

Played here the last two days in shorts and short sleeves for cryin' out loud and this weekend might get in the 70's!

 

I sure hope it gets better (and fast) for you guys.

 

Somebody should notify Al Gore.......

[pmang]

15 hours ago, ZipinZ said:

March 01st ... another windy rain day, went to the PGA Superstore to check out the 2023 Ping putters, returned at 3:00 pm to 47F and a hail storm, never seen hail in P.S. before. Poor people who had a TT this afternoon .... crazy weather.  A few pic's.

 

D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FYI. I was also at the PGA Superstore yesterday. Busy place as a result of the rain day. We went to Pete Carlson’s after that. Also went to Roger Dunn. 

[ZipinZ]

5 hours ago, pmang said:

FYI. I was also at the PGA Superstore yesterday. Busy place as a result of the rain day. We went to Pete Carlson’s after that. Also went to Roger Dunn. 

 

March 02nd - Looks like you have a much better day today ..... enjoy your round & time in P.S.

 

D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2023 by ZipinZ

[pmang]

2 hours ago, ZipinZ said:

 

March 02nd - Looks like you have a much better day today ..... enjoy your round & time in P.S.

 

D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZipnZ, I played Cimarron today. I’ve never played it before. It’s OK, not the best clearly but but it wasn’t disappointing by any means. It wasn’t as nice as Mission Hill Gary Player that we played on Tuesday.

Edited March 2, 2023 by pmang

[ZipinZ]

March 03rd .... Happy Hour at the clubhouse, great view of sunset & reasonable prices, too. Finally some warm temps.

 

D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't you miss the Palm Trees & the desert views ?

 

 

.

Edited March 4, 2023 by ZipinZ

[Bonneville85308]

@ZipinZ What are your thoughts on the Desert Princess course (3 nines)? Do you ever play there given that you are renting a place there? I haven't played it yet, but it has been on my radar as a "backup" course to try once.

[ZipinZ]

16 hours ago, Bonneville85308 said:

@ZipinZ What are your thoughts on the Desert Princess course (3 nines)? Do you ever play there given that you are renting a place there? I haven't played it yet, but it has been on my radar as a "backup" course to try once.

 

The Desert Princess (D.P.) is a gated community just off Vista Chino & Landau in Cathedral City with just over 1100 homes on 27 holes, Lagos, Ceilo & Vista.  I’ve played here on 4 different occasions this year, mainly when the Mrs has someplace to go & takes the vehicle. We’re renting just down the way from the club house, I can walk there & they give me my own cart, I drive back to the condo to get my clubs & go to the range before my round, that’s convenient.  

 

In the past I really didn’t care for the course because of some tight holes where I hit 2 condo’s, that just implodes my round. I’m not the only one who hits condo’s here, some units have 20-30 or more bullet holes in the stucco.  After that, I started buying the Escena Club Membership which turned out was less for green fees than the D.P. and it’s a much nicer & challenging course.  This year as a renter my green fee’s here after 1:00 pm are $65.00, the rack rate is $80.00.  Escena raised their rates as well, after 1:00 I was paying $60-$65.00 under my membership, now I pay $75.00 so it’s a bit cheaper at the D.P.

 

As well, it’s hard to get a TT at the D.P. everyone owns a golf cart and most have a full membership, so the course is very busy with senior men/women leagues and CDN snowbirds, it’s very slow, it gets frustrating when there’s no marshal’s out and there’s 1 sometimes 2 holes open in front of you and it takes close to 5 hours at dusk to finish. You rarely see the beverage cart, not sure if it’s busted or no one to work it.

 

If your considering playing here, I would recommend you ensure you book & start out on the Lagos 9 and then the Ceilo 9, those are the most appealing. Lagos is all within the property while Ceilo Hole #1 is a par 5 out on the wash area & the remaining 8 holes are within the property and quite enjoyable. The greens here are in much better shape and some even a bit more difficult than Escena. We’re renting on Ceilo hole 9, across from the big fountain just before the green, wave Hi if  you go by.

 

The Vista 9 starts out with 3 holes within the property then the next 6 holes are out on the wash area, which don’t appeal to me and are similar or if the wind is up even worse than Cimarron next door because you’re playing in a dust storm.

 

I got to know Rodney the Mgr Head Pro, he’s new here and I see he’s making some good improvements to the Pro-shop, course, practice range and carts. The range is well maintained with new Titleist practice balls this year at $9.00 large bucket/60. They have two large putting greens one allows chipping and a decent practice sand bunker adjacent to the range. Their carts include an ice bucket but no GPS monitor, there’s washroom & water here & there on the course but I find it has a funny taste so bring your own bevies. If you stay for happy hour (3:00-5:00) the service is a bit slow but the food is excellent and the prices are very reasonable.

 

I’m sure I will be out on the course before we depart on April 15^th, I’ll take a bunch of pic’s that will help you/others gain some insight on the D.P. Golf & CC.

 

Cheers

 

David

 

There's no course map, this is the best I could find for hole lay out for Logos #1 & Ceilo #10, as you can see there's more ponds than bunkers. 

.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 5, 2023 by ZipinZ

[ZipinZ]

 

This is the D.P Online Booking for Monday March 06th, as you can see it's quite booked up & the applicable green fee's.

 

D.

[Bonneville85308]

Great information, thanks @ZipinZ!

[ZipinZ]

March 09th - finally some nice weather, this is the warmest day we've seen since Jan 01st, the next 6-7 days look good but a bit more wind. Headed downtown P.S. to check out the Street Fair, they shut down 6-8 blocks on N. Palm Canyon Drive lots of interesting vendors/items, hope to find some red hot cinnamon licorice. I imagine it will be packed tonight.

 

 

 

 

[jpdx]

45 minutes ago, ZipinZ said:

March 09th - finally some nice weather, this is the warmest day we've seen since Jan 01st, the next 6-7 days look good but a bit more wind. Headed downtown P.S. to check out the Street Fair, they shut down 6-8 blocks on N. Palm Canyon Drive lots of interesting vendors/items, hope to find some red hot cinnamon licorice. I imagine it will be packed tonight.

 

 

 

 

Love the street fair. 

Edited March 9, 2023 by jpdx

[ZipinZ]

March 09th - Palm Springs Street Fair every Thursday, located on N. Palm Canyon Drive downtown lots of restaurants, lots of people, always something to see & buy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Golfers .... only $1,695.00.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RSinSG]

On 3/4/2023 at 9:11 PM, ZipinZ said:

We’re renting on Ceilo

I know there is a saying “I before E except after C” but in this case it doesn’t apply. I know this because I went to Cielo Vista Elementary School not too far from DP. 😉

[ZipinZ]

2 hours ago, RSinSG said:

I know there is a saying “I before E except after C” but in this case it doesn’t apply. I know this because I went to Cielo Vista Elementary School not too far from DP. 😉

 

 

Had to Google it to see were it was, bring back some old memories? 

 

Trust all is well, have you been back here recently?  I imagine you noticed the green fee's have all increased significantly. As well, the valley is packed with more Tennis fans than golfers for the next 2 weeks.

 

Cheers

 

D.

[ZipinZ]

March 10th ... played tourist today & went for a 1.8 mile hike up to the Tahquitz Canyon 60 ft waterfall, some interesting rock art/formations, lots of flowers starting to bloom, a few critters here & there & lots of people of all ages out exploring. They charge $15.00/adult, it took us about 1.5 hrs R/T.  A few pic's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crazy tourists water temp was <40F, Brass Monkey conditions.

 

 

 

Edited March 11, 2023 by ZipinZ

[RSinSG]

21 hours ago, ZipinZ said:

 

 

Had to Google it to see were it was, bring back some old memories? 

 

Trust all is well, have you been back here recently?  I imagine you noticed the green fee's have all increased significantly. As well, the valley is packed with more Tennis fans than golfers for the next 2 weeks.

 

Cheers

 

D.

It’s been completely remodeled since I went there. I’m so old I was in the first ever kindergarten class when the school opened. 
 

I’ll be in PS next week and will be playing Desert Dunes with my son, grandson and a guy I used to work with. Hopefully there won’t be hurricane force winds that day as DD can be one of the worst courses when the wind is blowing.

 

BTW- in 1969 when I was a senior in high school, Tahquitz Canyon was the reason I almost didn’t graduate. Once it warmed up we all got senioritis and I spent more time there than in school. Durring spring break that year (Google PS spring break riot) there were literally thousands of people up there. Considering the year and what SoCal was like then (think Woodstock) I saw a lot of wild stuff. Jim Morrison of The Doors was a visitor there.

[ZipinZ]

8 hours ago, RSinSG said:

It’s been completely remodeled since I went there. I’m so old I was in the first ever kindergarten class when the school opened. 
 

I’ll be in PS next week and will be playing Desert Dunes with my son, grandson and a guy I used to work with. Hopefully there won’t be hurricane force winds that day as DD can be one of the worst courses when the wind is blowing.

 

BTW- in 1969 when I was a senior in high school, Tahquitz Canyon was the reason I almost didn’t graduate. Once it warmed up we all got senioritis and I spent more time there than in school. Durring spring break that year (Google PS spring break riot) there were literally thousands of people up there. Considering the year and what SoCal was like then (think Woodstock) I saw a lot of wild stuff. Jim Morrison of The Doors was a visitor there.

 

Tks for sharing some of those memories of the past so I Googled it, I can see why it was a riot, interesting article.

 

https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2018/03/27/1986-spring-break-riot-changed-palm-springs-here-video/429097002/

 

 

[ZipinZ]

March 11 - Went to the Desert Willow Golf Academy to pick up my new G430 irons, decided I needed to go with new tech to gain some distance and yea forgiveness. They do look a little chunky & busy compared to my 718 AP2’s but with the Recoil 780 F4 Stiff, they’re easy to launch, high, long, straight or a slight draw, very repeatable ball flight with stopping power on practice greens. The Pro at the Academy checked the s/w, Ping built them 1 up Blue dot, +1/2”, D2 with the Tour Velvet Align Midsize grips, very happy with my new sticks. A few pic’s ….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 Iron stats on G80 - Gained 2 or more mph

 

 

 

 

4 Iron ....

 

 

 

Edited March 11, 2023 by ZipinZ

[ZipinZ]

March 13 ... another winnnnnndy dusty day, forecast 80F, had a 10:00 am TT at Escena, was able to change it to Tuesday, never seen this much wind in the past 8 years visiting P.S.

 

Pic's .... out our back patio at Desert Princess rental.

 

D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 13, 2023 by ZipinZ

[Socrates]

5 hours ago, ZipinZ said:

March 13 ... another winnnnnndy dusty day, forecast 80F, had a 10:00 am TT at Escena, was able to change it to Tuesday, never seen this much wind in the past 8 years visiting P.S.

 

Pic's .... out our back patio at Desert Princess rental.

 

D.

 

That much wind is weird for there.   You get spoiled not playing in the wind.  FWIW, when I was in Huatulco Mexico this January, there were several days where there was very little wind.  Which is unusual for there.  It was nice not having to navigate a 3 or 4 club wind on the back 9.

[ZipinZ]

1 hour ago, Socrates said:

That much wind is weird for there.   You get spoiled not playing in the wind.  FWIW, when I was in Huatulco Mexico this January, there were several days where there was very little wind.  Which is unusual for there.  It was nice not having to navigate a 3 or 4 club wind on the back 9.

 

Hi T .... Huatulco must of been fun, always good to play resort golf over the winter.

 

The wind kills me, the other week it was howling around 25+ mph, I normally hit my 8i about 160 yds, on #18 I was 130 yds out from green directly into the wind & hit knock down 8i, barley made the fringe, it was a long putt to blue flag, finished with a 3 putt.  I also have some asthma & my Covid cough hasn't totally gone away. Tomorrow looks much better looking forward to playing Escena with my new sticks.  Wind is still blowin .....

 

Edited March 13, 2023 by ZipinZ

[ZipinZ]

March 14th ... played Escena, bty day 75F very little to no wind, had a 10:08 TT, finished in just over 4 hours. Played well, broke 80 with the new G430 irons they're amazing, got my distance back, Hole #3 was playing 168 yds, hit 7 iron to about 12 ft below blue pin, the ball stopped less than 2 ft from the divot. This wasn’t a one of, I had the same results on a 6 other greens one bounce & hold, my AP2’s don’t do that. I also experimented with the P/W, was hitting ¾ shots gets the ball up quickly & lands softly, nice bump & run shots. Very happy with my new sticks .... a few pic's

 

D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 15, 2023 by ZipinZ

[ZipinZ]

March 16th - Indian Canyon, Gene Autry, Vista Chino all closed yesterday/today for flooding that's snarling traffic to/from airport & in/out of Palm Springs.

 

Link to Desert Sun article .... https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/palm-springs/2023/03/15/indian-canyon-araby-closed-due-to-flooding-heres-how-much-rain-fell-in-the-palm-springs-area/70011658007/

 

The rain yesterday with the snow melt in the Mtn's has got the wash flowing.  The storm had dumped about 0.24 inches of rain on Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City and 0.16 inches at Palm Springs International Airport, according to the National Weather Service. Those totals covered a two-day period ending on Wednesday at 12:18 p.m.

D.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 16, 2023 by ZipinZ

[ZipinZ]

March 16th -  KESQ 6:00 pm NEWS .... guy rides float tube down flood water by Tahquitz golf course .... roads still closed tonight, more rain expected next week.

 

 

https://kesq.com/news/2023/03/16/man-rides-a-tube-along-flood-waters-in-palm-springs/

[ZipinZ]

March 21 .... another rain/wind day in the desert, I imagine the roads in/out Palm Springs will be closed again if we get the 1/2"-3/4" forecast.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 21, 2023 by ZipinZ