Played here today with an 11:20 TeeOff.com "Deal" time. I was trying to see as much of Death Valley as I could before my tee time, and then Google Maps took me to the wrong spot, but just by one stree... Continue »

Played here today with an 11:20 TeeOff.com "Deal" time. I was trying to see as much of Death Valley as I could before my tee time, and then Google Maps took me to the wrong spot, but just by one street. Fortunately, there were very few people out there when I arrived just a few minutes early and the very friendly pro shop attendant said I could start on my own anytime I wanted. I hit a few putts and headed off, playing the front nine in about an hour and 15 minutes. Then two groups were in front of me on No. 10, but I played through them both and finished the back in a little under an hour for a 2:11 total POP. Ideal weather day; just gorgeous and perfect temps.

Conditions are okay, but it appears the storm damage from 2023 caused lasting problems in some spots. The 12th green is nearly all dirt, but still rolled pretty smooth. Most of the greens seem to be semi-dormant bermuda rolling about medium speed and smooth, despite not being super pure. Full shots stopped quickly. Fairways were nice with good coverage of light green bermuda. The rough is deeper bermuda that is penal when the ball sinks down in. Some holes had some bare spots and trouble spots on both the fairways and the rough, but luckily I avoided those. Very few bunkers on the course, it seemed, but the one I was in was pretty good. Blue tee boxes were fine.

This was my first time here and I found it to be a very charming course. I reminded me a lot of the Legends Course at Tahquitz Creek Resort (formerly Palm Springs Muni). It also reminded me a little bit of Soboba Springs in spots. I think that nostalgia for those two courses added to the charm. It's a much more difficult course than you'd think looking at the yardage. For one thing, the ball notoriously flies shorter at such low elevation, and then on top of that, there aren't many "mid-length" par 4s. They mostly seem to be 400+ or less than 330, so those longer ones play long.

There's currently a Golf Moose voucher to play here anytime for $50. Keep in mind, though, that there's a $30 per car entry fee to Death Valley National Park that gets you access for an 8-day span, I think. Definitely glad I played here once and I would like to play here again sometime.

Used Golf Moose coupon 50 vs 89 course rate Wednesday mid morning. Tees flat no divots neatly trimmed. Fairways watered and Monday rains fully reduced runout and distance besides the elevation factor ... Continue »

Used Golf Moose coupon 50 vs 89 course rate Wednesday mid morning. Tees flat no divots neatly trimmed. Fairways watered and Monday rains fully reduced runout and distance besides the elevation factor but were very green with only a few yellow spots and nice to hit from. Funny grass on these greens that looks matted down some dark green others grayish green and firm. They roll smoothly at medium speeds and break less than appearance one green only half grass but has been that way for a few years pin always in front not a problem. Not in any of the few traps but they looked to contain ample heavy grained sand. Very few others out on a nice day 76 and windless off at 9:50 done at 12:00. Recommended for a relaxed scenic round.

Spent three days in Death Valley and really enjoyed the trip. Had to play here just because i’ll never be close again. Checkin is easy in the small but well stocked pro shop. Rack rate is $78.50 but i... Continue »

Spent three days in Death Valley and really enjoyed the trip. Had to play here just because i’ll never be close again. Checkin is easy in the small but well stocked pro shop. Rack rate is $78.50 but i found a better rate on Teeoff. The course is nothing special except that its the lowest course in the country at 214 feet below sea level and that really effects the distance you get. Tee boxes are just ok but playable. The fairways are very tight but with enough cushion to make it acceptable to hit from. The rough is no more than 1 inch but dormant Bermuda which lets your ball settle down. The rough is all brown which looks great next to the green fairways. If you get too far off line its bushes or desert lies.
The greens were fairly quick but had lots of very thin areas. Some looked as if they had been painted green.
I played as a single and got around in 3:15. I had lunch after the round (which was pretty good) and found out on a normal day they averaged about 60 players.
I’m happy to have played here but its not a course i would go out of my way to play.

I played here yesterday, 3-6-21. The last time I was in Death Valley was about 50 years ago on a family vacation. I’ve thought many times that I’d like to see it again, but I never had a good excuse ... Continue »

I played here yesterday, 3-6-21. The last time I was in Death Valley was about 50 years ago on a family vacation. I’ve thought many times that I’d like to see it again, but I never had a good excuse to go. Now I do – golf! I also figured weather-wise this would be a good time. It was 80 degrees with just a little breeze. Here is some history on the course as found on the score card. In 1927 a three-hole course was created by date palm caretaker Murray Miller. In 1931 it was expanded to nine holes. It was the first grass golf course in the California desert region. In 1968 William F. Bell designed the second nine holes. In 1997 Perry Dyer redesigned the course and added a full irrigation system. It is the world’s lowest course at an elevation of 214 below sea level. The pro shop was well stocked and the staff was very nice. He charged me about 30% less than my booked rate. That was much appreciated and I was so happy they have logo balls. The cart was about as old and basic as any I’ve ever seen but it ran great. I had a tee time of 11:12 am but was told I could join a twosome at 10:51. They never showed up so I headed out solo in front of the 4 foursomes that were waiting. Unfortunately, for the entire front 9 I was stuck behind a twosome who had no clue about keeping up. I did my best to stay relaxed while waiting on every single hole for each of them to poorly hit 2 or 3 balls. They left after 9 so the back was much more fun. Even with all the waiting I finished in 3.5 hours. Course conditions were ok. The fairways had good coverage with just the occasional large bare spot. They were still more on the brown side but the new green growth was showing thru. The greens were very firm and super fast. The new grass is blue. I’ve not seen that before. It was really pretty. The bunkers are shallow and have clean, soft sand. The rough was thick and even around the greens and got more sparse and clumpy farther away. There is water on a couple of holes but, at least from the red tees, it didn’t come into play. There was nothing really unique about any of the holes but all were fun to play. The scenery was beautiful with large trees lining the fairways and mountain views in all directions. There was no beverage cart but there was a vending machine somewhere on the front 9. The snack bar/patio was open and very busy when I finished playing. I didn’t eat there but it smelled really good. Overall it was a fun day. I’ll probably never get out there again, but I’m glad I made the trek. If you’re ever anywhere close, check it out.

Played here on Saturday, 12/28, on a $20 Teeoff.com rate. That's a good deal for this course. And it turned out to be a beautiful 65 degrees with 8 golfers on the tee sheet inside, plus 2 coyotes outs... Continue »

Played here on Saturday, 12/28, on a $20 Teeoff.com rate. That's a good deal for this course. And it turned out to be a beautiful 65 degrees with 8 golfers on the tee sheet inside, plus 2 coyotes outside (that I could see). It's eerie how we've learned to co-exist with coyotes in CA. One of the coyotes literally trotted past my cart and behind me as I putted out. I only saw him as I walked off the green, which is still a little disconcerting. But that's part of the beauty of this course. In Death Valley life carries on seemingly in the midst of nothing. About the course....it's a really cool layout. The pervasive use of bermuda grass (I think) makes this course spongy and playable in all weather. Though the fairways had some marginal issues with dry spots, it played very well throughout. The greens were cut tight and rolled well. Add in a light breeze, and it was a good all around. The pace of play was mine to decide and I got through in 3 hours with lots of picture taking. The quietness here is the unspoken treat. When you stop and listen....there's nothing. You need that once in a while. Overall, well worth the effort to get here and play this challenging, well-designed course, with good service.

Planned to be nearby so purchased a Golf Guide certificate for Wednesday. Death Valley was quite busy with visitors but the golf course was not. Hit a few old balls on 6 lane grass range and putted on... Continue »

Planned to be nearby so purchased a Golf Guide certificate for Wednesday. Death Valley was quite busy with visitors but the golf course was not. Hit a few old balls on 6 lane grass range and putted on undulating practice green then headed out at 11:00 with temperature at 88. Surprisingly green and well maintained the fairways are with only a few yellowish spots here and there. Ball sat up nicely unless offline then settled down into 1 1/2" rough. Rough became thin and dry out at edges and overwatering there left some muddy puddles. Rough thick and tricky around mostly elevated greens. Not in any bunkers but the few noticed had ample fine grey sand and were neatly trimmed. Greens similar to practice one for medium slow speeds with downhills quicker looked uneven but putted smoothly. They were firm but held shots. Three had large dry sections but still putted the same. Will probably improve as the temperatures are beginning to cool from the summer highs. Remarkable conditions when considering the elements and time of year. Plenty of cold water jugs every few holes and a soda machine stationed randomly between some trees along cart path. Large tamarisk trees provided lots of much needed shade, palms tightened fairways and several lakes were in play. Finished at 1:45 in mid 90s after enjoying course and long scenic views.

I decided to attempt a fun and unusual double-dip today, playing at the lowest course in the world (Furnace Creek at 214 below sea level) and then heading up to Sierra Star (highest course in Californ... Continue »

I decided to attempt a fun and unusual double-dip today, playing at the lowest course in the world (Furnace Creek at 214 below sea level) and then heading up to Sierra Star (highest course in California at over 8,000 feet). I got started early at Furnace Creek, though admittedly by playing so early I kind of "cheated" myself out of the hardcore Death Valley summer golf experience an afternoon round would provide. Anyway, I booked a 6:00 tee time on their site. When I got there early, I noticed the sign on the pro shop said they open at 6:30. The workers did show up a little after 6:00 and opened up, but they didn't have me on the tee sheet. I guess that's just a phantom time that they don't bother removing. No worries, I was still teeing off first on my own at 6:15 and done in less than 2 hours. Price was $30 with cart, which I believe includes unlimited play in summer months, but I was only up for 18. There were actually quite a few people out there in the morning trying to beat the heat on a very mild morning. Though far from great, the course was in much better shape than I would have expected for late August in Death Freaking Valley. Everything left a little shaggy with primarily kikuyu to stand up to the heat. Fairways and rough had their fair share of bad patches, but relatively well maintained with defined, consistent cuts. Tee boxes okay enough. Bunkers fine. The greens were the weak part. I was worried on the first hole when the green was more sand than grass, but the rest were OK. They were verticut but not sanded. Still pretty bumpy. Very firm, but very slow. This is a pretty basic course. Nothing too exciting about it. Flat, mostly pretty wide open. The back nine does tighten up some with a few short dogleg holes lined with old tamarisk trees (I think that's what they're called). Basically, the biggest appeal is to say you played golf in Death Valley at the lowest course on earth. Unless you're a weirdo like me, not worth going so far out of your way for unless you are already visiting the park or staying at the Furnace Creek Inn. I did not notice any significant distance loss because of the low elevation this morning, but I know most people say it's a club extra at times. I saw at least a dozen coyotes out here, including 3 super cute pups playing together and having a good old time. The 'yotes were cool, but the flock of vultures perched in the trees along the 18th fairway were a little creepy.

Played 11/19. Over-priced at $60 rack rate and $45 for twilight, but just go done paying $5/gal. for gas, so it's all relative. You're in Death Valley, and this is it for golf. The course is billed... Continue »

Played 11/19. Over-priced at $60 rack rate and $45 for twilight, but just go done paying $5/gal. for gas, so it's all relative. You're in Death Valley, and this is it for golf. The course is billed as 214 ft below sea level and you don't get much higher, no elevation changes. That said, it's a fun little par 70 course. Par 3s are all interesting, a couple good 4s and average 5s. The green complexes are the highlight and in very good shape. I think this was a Dye redesign, but around the greens is the only place it was evident. A lot of short par 4s on the back is a bit of a bummer. Clubhouse guy was okay, cart guy was very friendly. Lots of wildlife. This place is like driving on a long trip, you're really hungry. Pull into the only restaurant for 100 miles. Figure how bad can a burger be. It's a little expensive, but you're surprised at how good it is and glad you stopped. I wouldn't drive there to play it, but if you're out there, you'll have fun.

Just a side note, Furnace Creek, you need a new logo. Death Valley, lowest golf course, "Furnace Creek." At least make me want to buy a hat.