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The Bayonet at Bayonet/Black Horse Golf Course
Played On 10/01/2023One of the best in Monterey
We had played Blackhorse a few years ago and liked it so much we came back the next day and played it a second time. Bayonet was closed for a qualifying round.
So this time we played Bayonet. It has been described as long and narrow, and that’s only half true. I am over 70 and play to an 18. Bayonet is long, in that there are no senior tees. You’re either playing almost 6000 yards or 5200- no combo to shorten the whites. On the white tees I played to my handicap on the front nine, and missed it on the back. There’s plenty of fairway roll, but I was wishing for some shorter tees. It really didn’t stress me though, nor did it detract from a fun round.
As far as narrow, I saw it as being medium width fairways filled with bunkers. I used to belong to a club that plays way narrower, but without the fairway hazards. A lot of holes here would allow wayward shots, some would not. To me it was more strategic than narrow. And the rough was not as penal as other places, it just was the short grass.
I want to give a shout out to Jake in the pro shop and Don the starter. Both worked at finding a gap on the tee sheet to get us out a little early. It was a great time on a beautiful course-played in well under four hours.
One thing that I noticed is that there were pitch marks all over every green. Really, people? Fix your mark.."?
Valley at Marriott's Desert Springs Resort
Played On 04/12/2023Not what we had hoped…..
We have played the other Marriott course years ago, so when a morning (8:30) tee time popped up at a reasonable rate we grabbed it, figuring we would get a quick round in before the heat of the day.
Check in was great, all the staff including the starter were great, and the range was in perfect condition. The practice green seemed slow but we didn’t give it much thought.
We went down to the first tee on time, and that was the start of an agonizing four hours and forty five minutes. We waited on literally every shot. Sometimes, later in the round, we waited on a tee box for more than five minutes. The foursome in front of us teed off from three different tees. We often see that, but this group was not to be rushed, or even move at any speed but slow. A couple times, they had a completely empty fairway in front of them, on a par 5. One of the group seemed to be more interested in talking on his phone than hitting a shot.
On the 11th hole, one of their carts began to fail. They finally abandoned it and at some point called the pro shop, and the replacement cart showed up on 14. We watched as two 60 year old men carried their bags in 80 degree heat for two+ holes, wondering if we were about to see cardiac arrest.
Condition of the course was only average. We’ve played 15 rounds on this trip, and these were the slowest greens we’d seen. It took a major effort to putt hard enough-downhill!
I doubt we’ll return. If we do, we’ll try to schedule in the afternoon on an empty course, I would guess they have a lot of hotel guests who don’t play much. I don’t want to watch that…..
Resort at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort
Played On 04/06/2023Better than you’d think!
We booked a late afternoon tee time, then our plans changed and we were free earlier, so I called the course and said they could get us out earlier. We pulled up, talked to the guys in the pro shop and went out to get a cart.
The starter was great! We got loaded and were all set to hit the range, when the he asked us if we wanted to tee off. We have been playing a lot the last month, so we headed to the tee. We were tight behind a twosome and went off!
It’s been a couple years since I played the Resort course. Some fairways are narrow, the greens are small, and there are blind shots with water. It’s a much more fun course for me than it’s brother Legend. It has some short par 4s and the par 3s are reachable for older guys like me. Legend is longer and wider if you want to try and crush a drive.
The greens rolled true, thankfully slower than some we had played recently. Our pace was great-4 hours flat for me, my wife and grandson. I know we were playing on a light day for this course, but the place is great value. Put it on your list to play. It’s fun!
Desert Island Country Club
Played On 03/31/2023Good but….
We’ve played here several times and like the country club atmosphere and good conditions. The staff has always been top notch, and we come away feeling the course is good value.
We booked a nine hole 3 pm tee time. Things moved along until the 6th hole when we came to a screeching halt. There was a foursome who had zero regard for pace, or the three groups stacked up behind them. On 8, we watched as they giggled and each hit multiple balls into the water. The guy ahead of us quit in disgust.
On the final three holes, we waited over 30 minutes. Waited….. There is no Marshall, and the pro shop had closed. I have no problem with people learning how to play golf. But sometimes they need to learn how to just pick up, and move on.
Shadow Hills Golf Club - North Par-3 Course
Played On 03/26/2023Much more than I expected
We mistakenly went to the South course, thinking we had booked there. We warmed up on their range and drove to the North course, where we discovered it was a Par 3 course.
Initially there was some disappointment, but a couple holes in we discovered this is easily the best Par 3 course we had ever played.
It’s beautiful, condition is fabulous, greens are perfect, and depending on what tees you play, it’s not easy. Very much a true test.
Pace was perfect, and we all agreed it was a bargain. As an added bonus we saw a player behind us get a hole in one!
Highly recommended
Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa - Pete Dye Resort Course
Played On 03/23/2023Pete Dye…..
I have avoided Pete Dye courses for the last several years, but my game has improved and thought we’d try this one. We’re big fans of the other Westin Mission Hills Course.
The staff was welcoming and personable. The range and chipping and putting greens were fine. My reason for never wanting to go back is the course itself.
This is not a “resort” course. It’s in beautiful shape on the holes you can see from the Westin, but once you get away from the hotel, it’s not in great condition. The rough on most holes is weedy and bare dirt. The bunkers are rock hard. The fairways are hard, and with Pete Dye’s mounding you just have to watch and see where your ball is going to go. Greens were different from the practice green, but they all seemed to roll at different speeds.
There is nothing fun or relaxing or “resort” about this course. It was the first time in a long time I (and all my playing partners” was glad a round was over. Sorry Westin, we’ll stick with the Gary Player.
Desert Island Country Club
Played On 03/08/2023Always fun
We’ve played here before a couple times and conditions are always very good. I especially like the greens and the speed they keep them at, but the bunkers are nice and soft.
It’s a course you’ll have more fun playing the second time, just because it has a couple unique holes.
Don’t kneel in the grass-there are fire ants present, a mistake one of us made. Staff on the course was terrific! Staff in the bar, significantly less so. Left after not getting any service and went to The Yardhouse.
Well worth the money!
PGA WEST Greg Norman Course
Played On 03/06/2023Best of the PGA West courses for me
Great value at $170. Staff was wonderful, course in great shape. Some of my group cursed the bunkers, but I think it’s the friendliest of all the PGA West courses.
Pace of play was 4:40.
Resort at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort
Played On 12/21/2019Better than I remembered
I played here a few years ago, and remembered it as being very average. I got there plenty early, and was able to tee off at will. It was empty for the first few holes, and we were moving right along until we came up on a twosome that seemed like they were playing in slow motion.
So while waiting on several holes, we had a chance to notice that the course is in way better shape than I remembered. The grounds crew has done a great job. The greens ran very true, and while quick, they were not crazy fast.
This is a popular, moderate priced course for Palm Springs. And one of the things that happens is there are a lot of people on the course who are either learning the game, or don’t play often. The three groups in front of us spent a lot of the time looking for balls out in the desert waste areas, waiting on par 5s until the group ahead was on the green before they took a second shot, taking pictures on a green, etc. Par 3s often had 3 groups on them. We played the round in 4:15, but only because we had those first four holes without anyone in front of us.
Staff was great from check in to the cart girl to giving back the cart. Didn’t try the food.
All in all, decent value, good conditions, a fair and challenging course,. Just be mentally prepared for a “leisurely” pace.
River View Golf Course
Played On 11/17/2019Quick and Quirky
I booked this based on Golf Advisor ratings, which turned out to be only half true. River View prides itself on pace of play, but I’ll be darned if I know how they do it. First off, it’s narrow. Second, its bargain status attracts a lot of beginners. Third, they have a couple long Par 3s, which are usually a guaranteed pace killer. And last, they allow Fivesomes......I hate playing behind Fivesomes, especially when they all imagine themselves to be single digit handicaps and play from the back tees.
The other bad news is poorly marked transitions, especially on the back nine, no fairway yardage markers, and goat track cart paths.
The Good is decent greens, a friendly pro shop and cafe, GPS on the carts, and a Sunday morning round just over 4 hours. And we waited almost 10 minutes on three holes.
I’ll be darned if I know how they do it.
Woodlands/Meadows at Traces Golf Club, The
Played On 04/05/2018Amazing place in the middle of nowhere!
We were traveling from Myrtle Beach to Augusta and decided to try Traces. What an amazing place! The staff was more than welcoming, the course fair and fun. Fairways are ample, but not huge, and there’s water in play on a couple holes. The greens were quick but not penalizing, and rolled perfectly true.
We had a sunny day, a virtually empty course, and one of the most fun rounds we’ve had in a while. It is a highly underrated course, and one you should try if you’re ever making the trek through rural South Carolina.
Indian Canyons Golf Resort - North Course
Played On 12/20/2017A great course in great shape
I have played this course and the sister South Course a few times over the years I have been coming to Palm Springs, but this last time was really outstanding!
I was playing with a buddy who has not spent much time down here, and I thought this one might be fun for him. The course is an old private club gone public, with huge history and an incredible display of mid century houses along the fairways. I thought it would be a good introduction into what Palm Springs really can be about.
We teed off a little early, as the course was empty. We were told that this week before the Christmas holiday was usually quiet, but that was an understatement. We played alone, and literally never saw anyone during our entire round. I know that is extremely unusual, but it was "our" course for the day. Other times I have played here, pace is usually not an issue. One other thing I like about this course is that it is tucked in the corner of PS against the mountain-and the wind doesn't seem to affect things quite as much. We had a perfectly calm day.
Conditions are better than I have ever seen them! The rough was a decent length, and the greens were absolutely perfect. There were not too fast or slow, and rolled perfectly. This course is Old School, and now that I'm over 65, next time I play here I will play off the gold tees, or the combo with the whites. The par 3s are challenging, well guarded and with somewhat small greens.
The staff is great-they were engaging and friendly.
My buddy's comment at the end of the round-
"Best day of golf-ever!"
Hunter's Creek Golf Club
Played On 03/16/2017Good Value-nice people
We booked this the night before, and really didn't have a lot of choices. We had a flight to catch, and this is close to the airport.
Very friendly staff! Everyone was great. Range balls are beat, carts showing their age, but we looked forward to the round based on the staff.
The first hole gave us a little flavor of the course. There are pine trees-lots of them-and the fairways range from open to narrow. The greens, and to a lesser extent the bunkers, are what let this course down. It looks like they're losing some greens. The edges can be raw dirt, but at least they manage to put the pin in a grassy part. They roll ok, but it's kind of sad to see this set the tone for the course.
There are left hand and right hand doglegs, water in play, and what struck us all is that sometimes the fairways were easy to hit, and sometime not so easy.
Paired with a very enjoyable couple, it was a good round. I recommend the course because of staff, and value, and location. I would play it again!
Creek/Oaks at Temecula Creek Inn Golf Resort
Played On 05/09/2016Trickier than it looked
We played Creek and Oaks. Creeks is tricky-if you're not on the correct side of the fairway, you can be in jail. We had a fast front nine, then a jammed up back nine on Oaks. Greens are tricky, staff was great. And it was a bargain!
Shadow Ridge Golf Club
Played On 03/28/2015Hot day-Great course!
We had always wanted to play this course, but had never gotten around to it on previous trips to the PS area. We were not paired with anyone, probably due to the fact that it was expected to be close to 100 degrees that day and our tee time was 10:30.
A very alert, friendly and professional starter got us out during a lull, in front of a foursome. We played 14 holes without ever seeing anyone!
The property is absolutely beautiful, with water and gardens and native areas. You rarely see another hole from the one you're playing. I have played one other Faldo course, and he uses bunkers to intimidate, even when they are not in play. There is always a landing area you can reach if you study the yardage book-and often great risk/reward paths to the hole. Greens are huge, rolled perfectly, and there is only the occasional flat spot anywhere on the course.
This is my new favorite course in the area! The high quality of the course, coupled with the equally high quality of the people who run it made it a wonderful day for us. Even though it's a few dollars more than other good courses, we'll be back.
Palms at Marriott's Desert Springs Resort
Played On 03/26/2015Good shape, good value
We played on a GolfNow heavily discounted green fee. The parking was bad, and oddly no one could direct us to the bag drop. The Marriott was having a huge meeting apparently.
Once paid and loaded, everything was fine. We got off late, but that's almost to be expected in a resort setting. Not the fastest round, not the slowest round. The greens had been fertilized and were fairly slow, but the place is lush and beautiful. A good value-just don't expect everyone out there to be on a 4:15 pace and you'll enjoy it.
Ventana Canyon - Canyon Course
Played On 12/14/2014Beautiful course!
We went to Tucson for a week to play golf and this was our last course. I wish we had played it sooner, and played both.
It's a little awkward finding the place-it's as though golf was a second thought for the Loewe's resort. Once we found where we were going, everything was smooth and people very friendly. The range is some distance from the pro shop at the hotel, but once you get on the course and realize how big this property is, it becomes much more logical.
Great starter, and we were paired with a scratch and a +20 player who were both great companions.
The course is stunningly beautiful, and challenging to all levels. They have multiple tees, and combo settings that work well. Ask the starter where to play, and eliminate any tendency to exaggerate your skill. You can use all the help you can get.
My one comment is that these are some of the toughest greens to figure out I've ever seen. They are fast, and have a definite grain or break tendency. We spent the whole round trying to figure it out, and none of us ever got comfortable.
The cart girl was present for our first nine holes, then we never saw her again. You do not circle back past the snack shack at the turn, so that was a bit annoying.
All in all-a great place to play. Although we didn't try every place in Tucson, this must be one of the very best.
Palm Desert Resort Country Club
Played On 11/17/2012Big Surprise
I wound up here after a dismal experience at Desert Dunes. Last minute tee time, cheap price on a Saturday. Course is 1960s vintage, BIG fairways, smaller greens, and condition like your average muni. It's long enough to be fun, and has a couple holes that make you think about how to play them. They were moving the pro shop the day we played, so a bit disorganized, but friendly staff and good pace of play. It's a great place to tune up your game on the first couple days of vacation. I'll be back.
Mission Hills - Gary Player Course
Played On 11/16/2012I like Gary Player
We played on the first day open so cartpath only play. Still finished at 4 1/2 hours. This course is fun-not super long but tactical and a good time. My girlfriend likes it because the women's tees are far enough forward that she can make GIR with two good shots. We found the "hot deal" price on GolfNow and consider it a good deal. Great feeling to walk off the 18th with a par.
Indian Canyons Golf Resort - South Course
Played On 11/15/2012One of the best
We have played here several times. We always seem to be paired with great people and have a really good time.
Staff is wonderful! Truly seem to care and want you to have a good time. They make a big deal about pace of play-in a positive non threatening way. We played on a packed weekday in 4 hours 5 minutes no sweat. Never felt rushed nor held up.
Course is not hard but has its challenging holes. It's beautiful, tucked against the mountains to protect it from the wind. Water, untrimmed palm trees, and bunkers add enough danger. There are virtually no houses on the course.
When you're done, you feel like you've just played a really great resort course-and had fun doing it.