Palm Desert Indian Wells Players Course

300yard+ · August 25, 2011

Resort= Hyatt Grand Champions Resort Indian Wells

Course = Indian Wells Players course( Celebrity course closed as of now for 2 weeks)

Pro's = Resort is only $130 per night/ People are very polite and they treat you like a celebrity. The Resort has 7 pools 6 of which are kid friendly . I brought my 2 kids/wife and my 5 year old son had a blast on the water slide. The Resort is very clean, and the basic room is very spacious with all the amenities needed.

The Course Review= My first time at this course which is fairly new opened in 2008. The only other course I played in the area was Tahquitz creek. $70 with a cart/range balls(summer rate) I recommend starting the earlier the better in the summer,Temp in the summer is around 114 degrees!!!! . My tee time was 6:45 am. I got there at 6:00am , the Resort is adjacent to the Clubhouse. I was immediately greeted at the door my bag was carried to a cart and was ready to go. I checked in was given a pager that would sound while I was at the range hitting balls.

I was glad to paired with guy who played the course about 50 times , because course experience is a must on this one!

#1 Hole par 5. Truly scenic . I dont play desert courses alot maybe my 4th time other than Oak Valley, Tahquitz, and Empire Lakes. I was blown away by the lush vegetation, beautiful but dangerous Traps and view of the mountains.

This course playing from the blue tips is around 7000 yds.

Fairways= Well kept narrow rolling type with uneven lies and undultations. Lots of waste areas and shots over these waste areas.Palm trees found in half of the fairways. Sand traps galore! Water is in play for at least half the holes with nice views of the mtns. I notice that the mtn in view behind the fairways give an illusion making some of the traps look closer than it appears. Go with the GPS reading! Their are Ice and water dispensers w/ cups on ever 3rd or 4th hole so in the summer.

Greens = Greens are in remarkable condition maybe an 8-8.5 on the meter. I was told by my partner that it is a hybrid Bermuda . Now in the winter its seeded with rye and plays maybe closer to a 10 on the meter.There are multiple tiers on just about all the greens.I notice I didnt get much spin on my chips.

Course difficulty = Slope of 134 I believe from the Blue. Par 5s are over 530 yards to 595 yards. some of the par 4's that play 400 yards are longer due to uphill fairways.

My summary= The resort is great for bringing family.

reserve the earliest time possible.

Stay at the Indian Wells or Hyatt which has views of the Celebrity Course,and pools.

The Players is very challenging. I used just about every club in the bag , and if it wasnt for the heat at about 9:30 am 95 degrees and rising, I would have begged the Mrs. for another round. Ask for deals. I believe staying at the Indian Wells Resort its $120 for 2 rounds.

Would I play here again, absolutely, but next time I'll try the Celebrity course which has better views I was told....