deunzicker

First the good--the layout is wonderful with plenty of variety. Lots of trees--unusual for a desert course--so wayward shots require more than just a desert club for recovery. Staff were universally friendly and welcoming, though I think they were short staffed as there was nobody manning the bag drop or the snack bar at the turn nor was there a beverage cart out on a beautiful day with a full tee sheet. Course maintenance was lacking, and that is my biggest gripe about the course. Tee boxes were very hard (you shouldn't be breaking tees inserting them in the ground, for goodness sake!) and somewhat shaggy. Fairways were generally in good shape though, again, pretty shaggy. Greens were very slow, though in good shape. Bunkers varied but most we encountered were fairly hard and could use either more sand or some digging up to loosen the existing sand. The rough was, well, rough. Lots of weeds, long grass, bare spots, rodent holes, etc. There are lots of beautiful palm trees on the course that have clearly been neglected for years as the "beards" of old palm fronds indicate (I'll bet mine won't be the only ball found if they ever get trimmed). I scored well for me so maybe that affects my opinion of the course. But unless conditions improve I can't really see myself making the drive out to play this course again.

The S at Rancho Mirage (fka Desert Island Golf Club) made a good first impression. Staff were waiting at the bag drop to welcome us and receive our bags. By the time I parked (close and easy) and got back the bags were loaded and they gave us directions to the pro shop and practice area. All of the staff we encountered were friendly, helpful, and welcoming. I was just disappointed that we never came across a marshal during the round. Playing as a three-some behind a two-some behind a very slow four-some was painful at times. We joined with the two-some at the turn and that slowed us down enough that we weren't waiting as long, but we were still waiting an awful lot as a five-some. (No, I don' t know whether five-somes are allowed or not!). So it would have been nice to have a marshal to help the group ahead of us either keep pace or step aside so that they could go at their own pace without holding up other groups.

The course itself was nice and in very good condition. Fairways were well maintained and watered so it made for a very nice hitting surface on those few occasions when I actually hit them! I can tell you more about the rough. It was not punitive at all as it was mowed fairly short--good resort length. Greens are large and roll true. Not many straight putts though. The one area of disappointment was the bunkers. A common problem anywhere the wind blows a lot. But there was very little sand in them so it was tough hitting a soft shot out of them. I actually putted out of one with good results.

There is plenty of water on the course, but with just a couple of exceptions (9 and 18) there aren't any forced carries.

Overall I would play this course again at this price.

A decent value. Course is tree lined and has good variety in the layout. Rough is quite friendly but the fairways are only in fair condition. Nice, friendly staff both in the pro shop and on the course.

Perfect weather, perfect course conditions, but slow play with no course marshal to police it made for a long, and less than enjoyable, day on the course. It was 2.5 hours at the turn and then we were allowed to play through. We had a few holes before we caught up with the next group and followed them in at a reasonable pace. Overall time just over 4.5 hours. The course is beautiful with plenty of variety in the holes. Often it is difficult to tell where the actual edge of the green is as the surrounding grass is often cut very short as well. Pronghorn is expensive by Central Oregon standards. But if you can get a discounted green fee (still expensive!) it can be very worth it.

Well maintained player-friendly course with plenty of variety on the holes and scenic mountain and valley views. I had some initial doubts as we pulled into the gated development surrounding the course. But once we got to the first tee they were gone! The homes along the course did not detract from the course. All staff we encountered were warm and friendly and made us feel welcome as if we were playing at our home club. Practice facilities are a little disjointed with the practice putting green near the tenth tee box and a chipping green near the first. The course was completely full the day we played yet we managed to finish in close to four hours. We weren't waiting on the group ahead of us after the first hole and we only saw the group behind from a distance a few times. Overall a very pleasant vacation golf experience.

From its days as the "North Course," the Sunriver Woodlands Course has been favorably reviewed for the golf experience. That is what drew me back to it again after ten-plus years since the last time I played it. It is still a nice course and most (not all) of the staff are friendly and welcoming, but it isn't a $100 (okay, actually just $99) value. We played as a threesome with a local in a blistering three-hours and ten-minutes, including a potty break at the turn. So pace of play was not an issue. They have some new greens that are significantly slower than the older greens, so make sure you know which ones they are and give your putts a stronger stroke. This may have been the last time I play this course. Too bad, too, because I actually enjoyed the golf!

Course condition is okay, but not great. Lots of parallel fairways. Nothing special at all. I would not play here again even if the price is relatively low.

I have played this course 3 times over the last few years. I probably won't play it again. While the GolfNow prices can be tempting, there is a reason they are low--the quality of the course just isn't that good. Tee boxes are hard, splotchy, and sometimes lumpy, fairways are in reasonable shape as are the greens.