Palm Desert Country Club (Long Course) - $$
77-200 California Drive • Palm Desert, CA 92211 • (760) 345-2525
Map/Satellite Image · Driving Directions
77-200 California Drive • Palm Desert, CA 92211 • (760) 345-2525
Map/Satellite Image · Driving Directions
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 Surveyor Report: 3/18/2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Recently re-opened after a $12 million renovation, the Palm Desert Country Club is taking it's best shot at making a name for itself in the uber-competitive Coachella Valley market. While it's not going to find itself at the top of national rankings or on anyone's list of "can't-miss" recommendations for the area, you can bet it will wiggle its way into the frequent-play rotation of the locals and regular visitors to the area…and it's clear that it is precisely that status which matters most around here. Don't let the relatively short length on the scorecard fool you - the golf course starts you off with two stiff par 4s just to throw you back on your heels and remind you that a challenge is in store for the day. While there is interesting land movement and a good number of fun shots to be found on the front nine, the real intrigue in this layout awaits you on the back. The front is fairly basic with a set of solid but unremarkable holes highlighted by the difficult 6th. The back nine, however, is teeming with varied looks and interesting shots to play. In fact, the only thing missing on the back is a true long par 4 (much like the aforementioned 6th). The 10th starts you off with the longest hole on the course and an opportunity to really let the driver rip. The 11th, also a par 5, looks like a misprint on the scorecard. While the yardage might better fit a stiff par 4 (461 from the tips, 421 from the whites) most will still have a fun time playing this one. If you can find the fairway, the large green makes for a deceptively inviting target. I can imagine many a golfer's visions of eagle are dashed when he/she realizes just how difficult this green is to hit. With an effective green size of probably half of what the golfer sees as green, the vast majority of players will find themselves with awkward chips from just off the edges: 5 from the fairway is not cause for shame here. Just as the 10th and 11th contrast, so too do the 12th and 16th. The former of this duo plays longer and to a guarded elevated green while the latter is shorter, slightly downhill, and invites all comers to take dead aim with whatever club they choose. Even the shortest hitters will delight in the option to run a driver straight up the gut. Finally, to augment the fun factor, the back nine has 2 very good short par 4s. While they are of nearly identical length, you will once again find variety as the 14th suits itself more toward a controlled tee shot and a testy wedge to an elevated green. The 17th, on the other hand, is a wonderful gambling hole. While the prudent play is that same safe wedge to the green, the long hitters will no doubt give this one a go (an option not particularly enticing on the 14th). If you're looking for true greens (who isn't?) then you've found your home here. The greens are somewhat limited in that most are small, round, and undulated only subtly. Though not lightning fast, they roll almost obnoxiously true - the grain and lack of excessive speed place a premium on a solidly struck putt. Assuming you put it online with enough speed you will find no surprises (and there are no free-passes given to putts that you fail to stroke well). Enjoy greens like these whenever you get the chance. Elsewhere on the golf course you will find similarly good conditions. The rough is VERY tough - long, dense, and healthy, you don't find many public-access courses that can get it to grow quite like this. Consistency was a bit of an issue, but only in terms of length from one spot to the next, not quality. The playing surfaces are impressive throughout. Fairways are nice and the sand in the bunkers is very playable (though a bit prone to burying your ball in a fried-egg lie). Palm Desert Country Club can be proud of what they've accomplished. Sure, there are more impressive facilities in the desert and yes, there are better golf courses if you look around. If you want the wild west "did that coyote just take my ball?" feel and you have a strong aversion to houses along fairways, then perhaps you should look elsewhere. If 7000 yards is a requirement for you to enjoy yourself while losing 3 sleeves of balls along the way, then you should most certainly pass this one up. But…if you're looking for a fun game on a sporty course that's big on variety with a tastefully done (read: not done on a Trumpian level of excess) new clubhouse, a friendly staff, and conditions that facilities that maintain far higher profiles would be happy to have, then Palm Desert Country Club is worth a look. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
