Indian Wells Golf Resort

[CalBoomer]

I just returned from a Thanksgiving break in Indian Wells, one of the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley communities. Had a chance to play the re-done Indian Wells Golf Resort courses, Players and Celebrity. These are muni courses that Indian Wells spent $80 million dollars (you read that right) rebuilding. The architecture-award winning clubhouse would shame most private places I have played. The Skins game was recently held there but canceled this year because of lack of a sponsor. These courses are simply not to be believed. $120 per round for a tourist, $35 (you read that right) for an IW property owner. The fairways are manicured to perfection. Not a home in sight anywhere. The greens are fast and tricky. Sand traps are everywhere and are groomed to the perfection you watch the pros play in. The layout is such that each hole is kept hidden or separate from adjacent holes. The scenery is spectacular. The Celebrity course would do credit to a professional garden club. Rounds are started and run with the precision of a Swiss railroad. And the resort made a $2 million net profit last year.

I have played many of the other highly touted Palms Springs courses, like the La Quinta Mountain or PGA West courses, and they are not up to these standards. Too many of the holes are just flat "straighties" through housing developments.

If you're in the area, you should try them. The only downside is that even condo or house renters can't get the $35 rate. As the guy at the pro shop desk told me, you have to prove your name is on the property deed!

[normdamarine]

I just returned from a Thanksgiving break in Indian Wells, one of the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley communities. Had a chance to play the re-done Indian Wells Golf Resort courses, Players and Celebrity. These are muni courses that Indian Wells spent $80 million dollars (you read that right) rebuilding. The architecture-award winning clubhouse would shame most private places I have played. The Skins game was recently held there but canceled this year because of lack of a sponsor. These courses are simply not to be believed. $120 per round for a tourist, $35 (you read that right) for an IW property owner. The fairways are manicured to perfection. Not a home in sight anywhere. The greens are fast and tricky. Sand traps are everywhere and are groomed to the perfection you watch the pros play in. The layout is such that each hole is kept hidden or separate from adjacent holes. The scenery is spectacular. The Celebrity course would do credit to a professional garden club. Rounds are started and run with the precision of a Swiss railroad. And the resort made a $2 million net profit last year.

Yeah, I have played Indian Wells a couple of times and it is a great course...

[Golf_Gal]

Palm Springs has some of the nice looking courses. Haven't played at any of them yet, waiting for the summer time when its MUCH cheaper, lol, but we went to a wedding at Cimarron Golf Course, it looked pretty, from the part that we could see in the dark anyways