La Quinta course recommendations?

[erichake]

Looking for two courses to play in/near La Quinta in late October.  3 players with handicaps of 3 (me), 18 and mid-20s (he rarely plays, shoots in the 50s for 9 holes).  Would be good to play courses that are  interesting/challenging to me, but not unplayable for the other two.  Value is important, as well.  Will play in the morning.  Read some good things about Desert Willow Firecliff and Silver Rock.  Would prefer not to play courses weaving amongst houses.

 

Links to previous discussions?

Recommendations?

Other resources for research?

 

Thanks.

[erichake]

Does this sound right?

https://www.linksmagazine.com/best-public-courses-of-palm-springs/

 

https://golf.com/travel/course-rater-confidential-best-public-golf-courses-palm-desert/

 

 

[doobz]

La Quinta local here:

 

Starting all of these with the disclaimer that if you're going to be here during late October/early November you are going to be here during prime overseed time and courses may be either closed for overseeding or in subpar condition in preparation for overseed. You can, for nearly every course, check their website and they will have a schedule stating these closures well in advance.

 

1. If you've never played the PGA West courses, they are worth a play. They're played on Tour for a reason. They are playable for higher handicappers so long as you play the appropriate tees. By the numbers the Stadium is harder but I personally find the Nicklaus more challenging. The Stadium is mostly harder due the brutally difficult Par 3's, IMO. The Greg Norman is the worst of the 3 but still excellent.

 

2. If your preference is not fairways lined with houses, I'd recommend either of the Desert Willow courses in Palm Desert or The Classic Club. Firecliff is the more difficult (and far better layout) of the two DW courses but they're both always in outstanding condition despite getting a ton of play, there are a few areas of condos/houses but not much. The Classic Club is my personal favorite layout in the entire desert. Troon managed and typically always in top notch condition. You'll also get a free towel and a couple beers with your round. There are ZERO homes on the course and you will rarely see another hole other than the one you are on. It is a very difficult course and it's on the north side of the 10 freeway which means it is much more exposed to the wind should there be any which can make it play very difficult.

 

3. Keeping with the no houses trend, either of the Indian Wells Golf Resort courses will also generally be in outstanding condition (though IMO are overpriced for non-residents during peak season). For the overall experience from the minute you get out of your car to when you finish golfing this is the best golf resort in the area IMO. The courses are very well kept, unique layouts, and challenging without being overly penal. The Players is the longer, better, and more difficult of the two. Some find The Celebrity to be a bit more picturesque.

 

4. SilverRock is an outstanding layout, very long and challenging. However, they are currently building a new resort there and a new clubhouse (this has been going on for what seems like forever) so the current clubhouse is temporary, there is a lot of construction, and the course is not in the greatest, albeit still quite good, condition.

 

Some others to look into, including some easier courses that your higher handicap friends might enjoy:

-Eagle Falls in Indio at the Fantasy Springs casino is a great bang for the buck, great condition typically, fun layout. Absolutely zero frills so don't expect a fancy clubhouse or food or anything of that nature.

-Big Rock at Indian Springs: Right on the La Quinta/Indio border. Definitely a value course but they keep the greens as good as anywhere I've played. You're going to wind through many neighborhoods but your higher handicap friends will probably appreciate here. Forgiving but still fun and conditions that are MUCH better than the price would indicate.

-Either of the La Quinta Resort courses are quite good value. These are both managed under the PGA West umbrella as well and are usually in good to great shape. Both are Pete Dye designs but nowhere near as brutally difficult as the other PGA West courses. The Dunes is the cheaper of the two and is a bit more of a quirky layout (37 out, 35 back) but has a lot of short Par 4s that are fun for scoring and some very memorable holes. It's also significantly easier. The Mountain is the more expensive and deservedly so course of the two, the back 9 here is as good as anywhere, #16 is maybe the best Par 3 in the entire valley. 

Edited June 21, 2021 by doobz

[erichake]

1 hour ago, doobz said:

La Quinta local here:

 

Starting all of these with the disclaimer that if you're going to be here during late October/early November you are going to be here during prime overseed time and courses may be either closed for overseeding or in subpar condition in preparation for overseed. You can, for nearly every course, check their website and they will have a schedule stating these closures well in advance.

 

1. If you've never played the PGA West courses, they are worth a play. They're played on Tour for a reason. They are playable for higher handicappers so long as you play the appropriate tees. By the numbers the Stadium is harder but I personally find the Nicklaus more challenging. The Stadium is mostly harder due the brutally difficult Par 3's, IMO. The Greg Norman is the worst of the 3 but still excellent.

 

2. If your preference is not fairways lined with houses, I'd recommend either of the Desert Willow courses in Palm Desert or The Classic Club. Firecliff is the more difficult (and far better layout) of the two DW courses but they're both always in outstanding condition despite getting a ton of play, there are a few areas of condos/houses but not much. The Classic Club is my personal favorite layout in the entire desert. Troon managed and typically always in top notch condition. You'll also get a free towel and a couple beers with your round. There are ZERO homes on the course and you will rarely see another hole other than the one you are on. It is a very difficult course and it's on the north side of the 10 freeway which means it is much more exposed to the wind should there be any which can make it play very difficult.

 

3. Keeping with the no houses trend, either of the Indian Wells Golf Resort courses will also generally be in outstanding condition (though IMO are overpriced for non-residents during peak season). For the overall experience from the minute you get out of your car to when you finish golfing this is the best golf resort in the area IMO. The courses are very well kept, unique layouts, and challenging without being overly penal. The Players is the longer, better, and more difficult of the two. Some find The Celebrity to be a bit more picturesque.

 

4. SilverRock is an outstanding layout, very long and challenging. However, they are currently building a new resort there and a new clubhouse (this has been going on for what seems like forever) so the current clubhouse is temporary, there is a lot of construction, and the course is not in the greatest, albeit still quite good, condition.

 

Some others to look into, including some easier courses that your higher handicap friends might enjoy:

-Eagle Falls in Indio at the Fantasy Springs casino is a great bang for the buck, great condition typically, fun layout. Absolutely zero frills so don't expect a fancy clubhouse or food or anything of that nature.

-Big Rock at Indian Springs: Right on the La Quinta/Indio border. Definitely a value course but they keep the greens as good as anywhere I've played. You're going to wind through many neighborhoods but your higher handicap friends will probably appreciate here. Forgiving but still fun and conditions that are MUCH better than the price would indicate.

-Either of the La Quinta Resort courses are quite good value. These are both managed under the PGA West umbrella as well and are usually in good to great shape. Both are Pete Dye designs but nowhere near as brutally difficult as the other PGA West courses. The Dunes is the cheaper of the two and is a bit more of a quirky layout (37 out, 35 back) but has a lot of short Par 4s that are fun for scoring and some very memorable holes. It's also significantly easier. The Mountain is the more expensive and deservedly so course of the two, the back 9 here is as good as anywhere, #16 is maybe the best Par 3 in the entire valley. 

doobz,

 

Excellent information.  I appreciate the insight and overseed info.  I'll look into that as we get closer.

[doobz]

18 hours ago, erichake said:

doobz,

 

Excellent information.  I appreciate the insight and overseed info.  I'll look into that as we get closer.

 

No problem! Feel free to message me with any questions on conditions as it gets closer, happy to help if I see the message in time... even if you're a Beaver. Go Ducks!