alanbrainerd

We were in the area for a family gathering and decided to play a round of golf. With little to go by, we chose Mace Meadows. Clearly the golf course has seen better days, with dried out and lumpy fairways and rough tee boxes. Golf balls hitting the hard pan fairways would often roll forever, even into trouble. Many of the greens were also in poor shape, several with bare patches, and it seemed that the pins had not been rotated for weeks., if ever. If you don’t look too closely, the golf course is in a very attractive setting.

My wife and I played an afternoon round on a Friday, evidently a popular day to play in Palm Springs. We lucked out with our random draw of partners, getting two very friendly and fun gentlemen. The course is in great condition, with very nice greens and fairways. Getting a ball to stick on the greens is challenging, as they and the approaches are fairly firm. We enjoyed the round, and will be back.

Just 45 minutes from our mountain cabin, Bailey Creek is our "second home" course. It is in terrific condition, with lush fairways and very true greens, amazing given the current drought conditions in Northern California. The course features a variety of challenges, from very short par threes to full length par fives with abundant bunkers, trees to navigate around and through, and several holes with considerable elevation changes.

Now that my son and daughter-in-law have a home on the 9th green, this is our second "home course." For a public course, it is pretty well maintained, with even fairways and smooth greens, which are very fast. All of the sand traps have been excavated, with temporary drops in place. The course has some very challenging holes that feature narrow approaches, water and blind shots. The finishing hole, a downhill 200 yard shot to a fairly small, well bunkered green, will test your skills.