A planned backpacking weekend in the mountains beside Palm Springs ended up morphing into a last-minute golf weekend instead so the first course we hit was Cimarron. My friend is not a very consistent... Continue »

A planned backpacking weekend in the mountains beside Palm Springs ended up morphing into a last-minute golf weekend instead so the first course we hit was Cimarron. My friend is not a very consistent nor well-practiced golfer so picking the wide open vastness of Cimarron seemed like a wise start before a tougher course on Sunday.

We had a 1:10pm tee time and of course it was still quite hot out in the desert, but manageable if you kept drinking your fluids. We were paired with a very nice Canadian couple and played from the equivalent white tees. The course itself is right in front of you and there aren't many tricked up holes to worry about, but there is the main wash area running between the length of the property that has a tendency to swallow up any wayward shots.

The greens right now at Cimarron are in good shape. They hold shots well, run pretty true and were running at a medium-fast speed. They look good as well. Tee boxes are in good shape - lush and level. Bunkers were also very playable. Most of the fairways were in good shape for the most part but there are still a few areas of standing water and some fairways still have the mud damage and general mayhem from that big 'hurricane' that really did a number on the Coachella Valley. I would say that's the biggest gripe right now is hitting a great drive and then having your next shot out of some dirt streak in between the lush grass.

POP was moving along pretty nicely but of course there were some long waits on the par 3 holes. Carts have a basic GPS system that's helpful but are otherwise very pedestrian. Cart service came around a few times throughout the round and the practice range is in good shape - also thanks to the cart crew who gave us some range balls after having forgotten to request them upon checking in.

All in all a pretty good day out at Cimarron which is one of the more beginner-friendly type courses in the Palm Springs area but will still give your mid-level handicappers something to think about with each shot.