In a word, ‘awesome.’ In another word, ‘furry’ and this unfortunately applied mostly to the greens. I’ve had very little experience playing high end courses (anything over $125 in my opinion), but if... Continue »

In a word, ‘awesome.’ In another word, ‘furry’ and this unfortunately applied mostly to the greens. I’ve had very little experience playing high end courses (anything over $125 in my opinion), but if there was ever a course that is worth it’s requested rack rate ($175 prime, $115 twilight, which varies a bit according to time of year) it would be this course. The views and the layout are mostly stunning. The conditions (except for the furry, slow greens) are excellent. The better news is once you get off the tee and are playing the course there is a very good mix of challenge and fairness. Without exception it was clear what I had to do and then it was just a matter of execution. Execute and you will be properly rewarded—don’t…and, well you probably know the story.

The greens as mentioned were SLOOOWWW! It was like putting in an abattoir. Everything just died. I obviously played my round the day before they were scheduled to mow them. That general sense of furriness, however, served hitting from the fairways quite well. Their condition was excellent. The rough was also in excellent condition. It was punishing, but you could generally find your ball and hit from it. The sand traps (mostly avoided thank goodness) were also in excellent condition.

A previous reviewer mentions being able to drive 250 yards or not showing up. That might be true for some holes if you’re playing the tips, and yes, there are several must carries that are in the 200 yard range for the blue (6300) and white (6000) tees, but you will not be bombarded with darn near impossible carries one after the other. That being said, those who have difficulty getting off the tee will not do well on this course. That flubbed, dribbling 60 yard mi sh$t will not serve you well. You will have several blind tee shots where you cannot see the landing areas. The landing areas are there and you just have to hit a decent tee shot. There will also be holes where you cannot see the green. The landing areas are clear, however, and where you have to hit your tee shot to and what you have to do when you get there will be apparent.

The holes are bordered by the desert, which are considered environmentally protected areas that you are not allowed to enter and are played as water hazards. I learned from all the wayward balls dotting that landscape that the local critters are not fond of golf balls. This is target golf to a good extent, but it was not so hard that I did not find the course very enjoyable to play.

Rounds on this course are REGULARLY in the 5-5 1/2 hour range. That is the norm. This doesn’t bode well for high-end-twilight-rate golfers such as myself. Started at 1:00 and did not finish the last 2 holes with a 5:45 sunset. Factor in the clouds, which obscured the setting sun (did I mention the views?), the foursome in front of us who seemed not to notice or care that it was rapidly becoming too dark to hit golf balls and continued looking at 6 foot putts from every angle (same slow 4-some in front of us story), and what appeared to be a match between 2 pairs of players two groups in front of us…you get the picture. Anyway PLAN on at least 5 hours, which almost makes paying the prime rate of $175 and being able to play your entire round in daylight a kind of extortion.

The service was great. I didn’t encounter any rude valets. I also ate one of the best hot dogs I have ever had on a golf course and it was only $5 with chips! There’s water every 3 holes for when it’s hot, but strangely enough, I didn’t see any ball washers. I would definitely like to return to this course. Maybe dedicate some overtime at work specifically for making the trip out here again and paying the prime rate so that I can actually finish before dark.