Palm Springs Teaser continued for 2025 Golf Vacations

[super9er]

20 hours ago, ZipinZ said:

 

Hey David, a tad warmer than ol' YYC for sure...this was our 3rd year in a row of doing Palm, for 2026 we are looking @ returning to Scottsdale for the first time since 22. We've been doing this annually for the last 15 years minus 1, until 22 it was in Scottsdale/PHX area. I think we will ping pong back n forth yearly going forward between the 2 destinations.

 

Sean

[ZipinZ]

June 25th - Not sure I would want to golf 18 in this heat, would you ?

 

This is pool weather.

 

D.

 

 

 

 

 

[Socrates]

4 hours ago, ZipinZ said:

June 25th - Not sure I would want to golf 18 in this heat, would you ?

 

This is pool weather.

 

D.

 

 

 

 

 

I kinda draw the line at about 35ºC or 95ºF.  That's how it was in Mexico and about 90% humidity.  After that, I melt like an O'Henry bar in the sun. 

[Bonneville85308]

Just realized I forgot to post it...I played the Pete Dye Mountain course at PGA West a couple Saturdays ago. 

 

Conditions were pretty good overall. Greens weren't as firm as I had expected based on other reviews outside this site. Firmer than average but I didn't have trouble stopping a short iron or wedge on them, and I am no high spin player. Speed was slower than average for this type of course even after the dew wore off. Fairways were mostly great except for some minor burnt out/heat stressed spots. Rough wasn't too deep and had some burnt spots on the slopes/mounds and some muddy spots at low points. Some tees needed leveling. Greenside bunkers were good. Fairway waste bunkers were thin/flat/firm enough to hit a fairway wood off of, and it seems like you were actually encouraged to drive the carts into them as part of the cartpath (?!) 

 

I had the first tee time (6:00am) paired with another random single. We were supposed to be a foursome with two ladies, but they talked the starter into letting them tee off ahead of us. They stayed a hole or two ahead of us and we finished in under 3 hours. Paid $149 which was steep for summer in my opinion. Also annoying, the pro shop was open when I walked into the clubhouse at 5:30am, but their computers apparently lock the staff out of checking anyone in until 5:45am, so a big line was forming since it's the clubhouse for both Dunes and Mountain, and I didn't get time to hit more than about 5 range balls.

 

It had some visually interesting holes up close to the mountains but overall I didn't really care for the layout and it was a once and done for me. The elevated greens get old early in the round, and first 4 holes on the back nine through the housing development are pretty meh. I am usually not a Pete Dye fan so maybe I had a chip on my shoulder going into the round, but the course didn't change my opinion.

 

[Socrates]

12 hours ago, Bonneville85308 said:

Just realized I forgot to post it...I played the Pete Dye Mountain course at PGA West a couple Saturdays ago. 

 

Conditions were pretty good overall. Greens weren't as firm as I had expected based on other reviews outside this site. Firmer than average but I didn't have trouble stopping a short iron or wedge on them, and I am no high spin player. Speed was slower than average for this type of course even after the dew wore off. Fairways were mostly great except for some minor burnt out/heat stressed spots. Rough wasn't too deep and had some burnt spots on the slopes/mounds and some muddy spots at low points. Some tees needed leveling. Greenside bunkers were good. Fairway waste bunkers were thin/flat/firm enough to hit a fairway wood off of, and it seems like you were actually encouraged to drive the carts into them as part of the cartpath (?!) 

 

I had the first tee time (6:00am) paired with another random single. We were supposed to be a foursome with two ladies, but they talked the starter into letting them tee off ahead of us. They stayed a hole or two ahead of us and we finished in under 3 hours. Paid $149 which was steep for summer in my opinion. Also annoying, the pro shop was open when I walked into the clubhouse at 5:30am, but their computers apparently lock the staff out of checking anyone in until 5:45am, so a big line was forming since it's the clubhouse for both Dunes and Mountain, and I didn't get time to hit more than about 5 range balls.

 

It had some visually interesting holes up close to the mountains but overall I didn't really care for the layout and it was a once and done for me. The elevated greens get old early in the round, and first 4 holes on the back nine through the housing development are pretty meh. I am usually not a Pete Dye fan so maybe I had a chip on my shoulder going into the round, but the course didn't change my opinion.

 

Mountain course didn't do it for me.  Although, it was quite a number of years ago now.  If I ever get down there again, I might have to play it again just to see if my opinion changes.

 

FWIW, if I'm one of the first groups out - anywhere - I'm assuming it's pay and tee off.  Not expecting to hit any balls.  If I'm lucky maybe a couple of putts or chips before and then it's manage my game until I've played a few shots.  Kind of weird though that they lock the computers until 15 minutes before first tee time.  From a proshop perspective, if any little thing goes wrong at the counter in that 15 minutes, the next few hours are effed if the teesheet is full.

[ZipinZ]

23 hours ago, Bonneville85308 said:

Just realized I forgot to post it...I played the Pete Dye Mountain course at PGA West a couple Saturdays ago. 

 

Conditions were pretty good overall. Greens weren't as firm as I had expected based on other reviews outside this site. Firmer than average but I didn't have trouble stopping a short iron or wedge on them, and I am no high spin player. Speed was slower than average for this type of course even after the dew wore off. Fairways were mostly great except for some minor burnt out/heat stressed spots. Rough wasn't too deep and had some burnt spots on the slopes/mounds and some muddy spots at low points. Some tees needed leveling. Greenside bunkers were good. Fairway waste bunkers were thin/flat/firm enough to hit a fairway wood off of, and it seems like you were actually encouraged to drive the carts into them as part of the cartpath (?!) 

 

I had the first tee time (6:00am) paired with another random single. We were supposed to be a foursome with two ladies, but they talked the starter into letting them tee off ahead of us. They stayed a hole or two ahead of us and we finished in under 3 hours. Paid $149 which was steep for summer in my opinion. Also annoying, the pro shop was open when I walked into the clubhouse at 5:30am, but their computers apparently lock the staff out of checking anyone in until 5:45am, so a big line was forming since it's the clubhouse for both Dunes and Mountain, and I didn't get time to hit more than about 5 range balls.

 

It had some visually interesting holes up close to the mountains but overall I didn't really care for the layout and it was a once and done for me. The elevated greens get old early in the round, and first 4 holes on the back nine through the housing development are pretty meh. I am usually not a Pete Dye fan so maybe I had a chip on my shoulder going into the round, but the course didn't change my opinion.

 

 

 

Bonneville ..... tks for taking the time to submit your PGA West - Mountain Course review with pic's, it's been about 7-8 years since I played that track. Looks like the ProShop needs to make some admin improvements, your check-in experience must of been frustrating.  I'll update the "Teaser Index" accordingly.

 

Cheers

 

D.

[ZipinZ]

For everyone's convenience, I updated the “Teaser Index" of Course Pic’s/Reviews or Things-to-do in P.S. to make it easier for those who haven’t played some of the more popular tracks in the Palm Springs area or wish to take a day off to do something different.  When they upgraded the forum, we lost the actual post numbers, to find the applicable post with pics go to the page number/date and scroll down accordingly.

 

Reason for Edit: -  Pete Dye Mountain course at PGA West on page 42.

 

1.) Escena Golf Club - My Home course see Page 1 near bottom.   

2.) Westin Gary Player, Mission Hills N, 70705 Ramon Rd - Page 2 near top. Page 20 dated Jan 22^nd, bottom.

3.) Desert Willow – FireCliff – Page 2 near top. Page 25 April 09^th - near top and Page 36, dated December 23, 2024, near the bottom. See Item #43. - Desert Willow - Mountain View - review with pic's on Page 36 near the bottom dated December 23, 2024.

4.) Terra Lago – North – Page 2 bottom bad review page 20 Jan 10^th & 13^th good review Page 22 Feb 20^th middle.

     Terra Lago – South – Page 27, Dated Dec 12^th, near top.

5.) Classic Club – Page 3 near top & Page 17 bottom, page 22 Dated Feb 14^th near top.

6.) Indian Canyons - South – Page 3 in middle, Page 20, Jan 22^nd near bottom

     Indian Canyon's - North - Page 22 near bottom.

7.) Silver Rock Resort – Page 3 middle, Page 24 dated March 28^th near top, const. stand still Page 26 dated Oct 11^th near middle, Page 26 dated Dec 11^th near bottom.

8.) Rams Hill Golf Club, Borrego Springs – Page 4 near top & more info past middle page 4. January 23, 2025 update Page 38 near the bottom of page.

9.) Eagle Falls – Page 4 near top & Page 22 dated Feb 14^th near top & Page 36 dated Dec. 22nd near the bottom.

10.) Pete Carlson Golf Expo & Demo Days late Feb every year - Page 4, Page 9 & Page 21 near middle.

11.)  P.S. Air Museum – Page 5 near top.

12.) San Diego road trip & Torrey Pines, La Jolla - Page 5 in middle.

13.) Joshua Park Road Trip – Page 7 near top.

14.) PGA West – Stadium – Page 7 near top & Page 17 near bottom.

15.) PGA West – Nicklaus – Page 11 near top.

16.) PGA West - Mountain - Page 42 near the top 

17.) McCormick’s Classic Car Auction – Late Feb every year – Page 10 top & Page 17 near middle.

18.) Westin Mission Hills, Pete Dye, 71777 Dinah Shore Dr, Rancho Mirage,  Page 15 past middle.

19.) Volunteering at AMEX PGA Tournament La Quinta – Page 16 near top.

20.) Coachella Valley Firebirds & new Acrisure Arena – Page 16 in middle.

21.) Salton Sea Road Trip up to Salvation Mtn & Slab City – Page 17 at top.

22.) Tahquitz – Resort Course – Page 17 near middle, Page 21 dated Feb 03^rd near middle.

23.) Dinah Shore - Tournament Course, Mission Hills Rancho Mirage – Page 18 near top.

24.) Shadow Hills (South course), Indio - Page 22 near top. 

25.) Shadow Hills (North Course Par 3), Indio - dated Dec. 22nd, bottom of Page 36.  

26.) Desert Falls, Palm Desert - Page 22, dated Feb 20th, near bottom.

27.) Mountain Vistas - Santa Rosa, Sun City Palm Desert - Page 22 near bottom.

28.) Ping Custom Club Fitting - Desert Willow Academy of Golf - Page 22 middle/bottom.

29.) TURO Car Rentals – Page 21, dated Feb 11^th near bottom.

30.) Desert Princess G&CC – I rent a condo here - (Logos - El Cielo – Vista’s) Page 23 dated March 04^th near top

31.) Palm Springs Downtown Street Fair – Page 23 dated March 09^th near middle

32.) Tahquitz Canyon Hike to 60 ft Waterfall – Page 23, dated March 10^th past middle

33.) Sunnylands Outdoor Sunday Concerts – Page 24 dated March 26^th near top

34.) Shields Date Garden – Hwy 111 Indio Page 24 Dated April 06^th near bottom.

35.) Cimarron – Boulder Course – Dated Jan 13^th Page 20 near top pics of storm damage Feb 14^th 2019

36.) Westin Rancho Mirage – Pete Dye course, Page 20 dated Jan 22^nd, near bottom

37.) Desert Dunes - Page 20 dated Jan 22^nd, near bottom

38.) Mountain Vista’s - Page 21, Feb 07^th near bottom.

39.) Santa Rosa Page 22 near middle,  Page 27, Dated Dec 12^th near top.

40.) San Gorgonio - Page 21, Dated Feb 07^th near bottom, Page 27, Dated Dec 12^th near top.

41.) Palm Desert CC – Page 26, Dated Dec 11^th near bottom.

42.) Woodhaven CC – Page 27, Dated Dec 12^th near top.

43.) Trilogy Golf Club at La Quinta - Page 36, near bottom lots of pic's, dated, December 23, 2024.

44.) Desert Island Country Club, Rancho Mirage, Page 36 near the bottom dated December 23, 2024.

45.) Desert Willow Golf Resort, - Mountain View Course - Page 36 near the bottom dated December 23, 2024.

46.) Desert Horizons CC, Indian Wells - Page 40 near Top, dated March 12, 2025

47.) Thunderbird CC, Rancho Mirage - Page 40 Middle, dated March 17, 2025

 

The Teaser Index will be continuously updated as new course reviews are submitted.

Edited June 27 by ZipinZ

[oldmotor]

Playing the Mountain Course July 5th. Got me rethinking it. Playing Escena on the 4th. Any other suggestions for the 5th.?

I was also looking at Indian Canyou South.

Edited June 27 by oldmotor

[vernon]

24 minutes ago, oldmotor said:

Playing the Mountain Course July 5th. Got me rethinking it. Playing Escena on the 4th. Any other suggestions for the 5th.?

I was also looking at Indian Canyou South.

I would skip Mountain and play Eagle Falls and/or Firecliff although we greatly enjoyed Indian Canyons South too.  

 

We played the Dunes and Mountain once each and have never been back.  

 

Much better course options and values than either of those two in my opinion.

[litts11]

38 minutes ago, oldmotor said:

Playing the Mountain Course July 5th. Got me rethinking it. Playing Escena on the 4th. Any other suggestions for the 5th.?

I was also looking at Indian Canyou South.

I've enjoyed both the Mountain and the Dunes courses (got them for cheap prices on golfnow) when I've played them, but I would agree that Desert Willow - Firecliff is awesome. Great patio overlooking 9/18 with misters for lunch/drinks as well.

 

Cant go wrong with Indian Canyons - South either.

 

Enjoy.

[tw422]

3 hours ago, oldmotor said:

Playing the Mountain Course July 5th. Got me rethinking it. Playing Escena on the 4th. Any other suggestions for the 5th.?

I was also looking at Indian Canyou South.

Marriott Shadow Ridge is worth considering but Firecliff, IC South and Escena are all solid.  Classic Club is also really good.  Be prepared to play in a furnace though as July and August are brutal.  

[ZipinZ]

Oldmotor .... Firecliff is my top choice, much nicer than Indian Canyons South, in March green fee's at FCliff are +/- $200.00, prices on July 05th are fair & reasonable for summer conditions. 

 

Have a look at the Firecliff reviews/pic's on Page 2 near top, Page 25 near top and Page 36, dated December 23, 2024, near the bottom.

 

It's going to be smokin hot, enjoy the golf vacation .... 

 

D.

 

 

 

[oldmotor]

Thanks for the help guys. Settled on Eagle Falls and Firecliff. I know it will be a bit hot, but starting before nine each day, so I'll miss the worst if it. Traveling around Southern California for two weeks for work and thought I'd get a couple rounds in. Again thanks.

Edited June 28 by oldmotor

[ZipinZ]

Desert Willow ..... NEWS.

 

 

 

 

 

[oldmotor]

Just touching bases. I played Firecliff and Eagle Falls over the July 4th weekend. Firecliff was just awesomeEagles's Falls was real nice. Good course, but needed a bit of maintenance. Enjoyed both days.

 

Back in Souther Cal. for two weeks of work and planning on playing Escena Saturday. Thanks for the info!