I went out here yesterday to use the UnderPar.com deal (36 holes for $129 on a weekend). Unfortunately, there was a big frost delay in the morning and that made things tough. Had a 7:30 tee time, but ... Continue »

I went out here yesterday to use the UnderPar.com deal (36 holes for $129 on a weekend). Unfortunately, there was a big frost delay in the morning and that made things tough. Had a 7:30 tee time, but teed off at 9:00. They paired me with a threesome and we played at a pretty good clip. We were waiting on the group in front of us on most holes, but still finished in 4 hours total.

The course was in great shape overall. Fairways nice, green and excellent to hit from. Rough wasn't too deep, so it was good to hit from, as well. The greens were in good shape and running at medium speeds. Bunkers had great sand, though they were still kind of damp/frozen in the early morning. The bermuda rough on the edges of the bunkers was dormant for a nice contrasted look. They had it really shaved down, though. It would look nicer and have more of a purpose if it was cut a little longer (like what I saw last week on the Player course at Westin Mission Hills), but I'm sure it's cut down so much at Indian Wells for a reason in winter time.

Celebrity is a great course with beautiful views of the mountains. More hilly than I expected. Though no big elevation changes, there are a lot of ups, downs, twists and turns. A few blind shots. Front nine plays a little tighter and tougher than the back, but the back brings in a lot more water, so it evens out depending on your strengths/weaknesses. Plenty of trees in play on both nines. A lot of big bunkers with intricate shapes. I felt a little weird retrieving my ball from the Indian burial ground area, but luckily I didn't appear to stir up any poltergeist activity. Rack rates a little too inflated for my taste, especially this time of year, but the deal I used made it worthwhile in great winter conditions. Big, beautiful modern design clubhouse. With the frost delay, the range was on mats only in the early morning. Cool little 9-hole practice green complex that's good for pre-round competition/betting or tiebreakers after your main round.