Southern California's No. 1 Golf Source
SITE
SEARCH
GOLF RESOURCE GUIDE:
The Golfing nomad
|
||||
 The par-3 14th on thr Firecliff Course is picturesque and challenging (Photo: John and Jeannine Henebry Photography). What you will find are two championship courses — the Firecliff and the Mountain — that offer some of the most entertaining golf in the Coachella Valley. PRIVATE CLUB AMBIANCE A buddy and I recently headed to Desert Willow with a 7 a.m. tee time on the Firecliff course. From the moment we entered the mile-long, desert-scaped entrance to the course, I was reminded why I always enjoy return visits to the Palm Desert property. Upon arrival, golfers are greeted with a 33,000-square-foot elegant but understated clubhouse that features a cozy lobby, pro shop, snack bar and restaurant with outside dining overlooking the ninth and 18th holes on the Firecliff course. There’s a state-of-the-art practice facility featuring an expansive driving range, putting green and short-game area to warm up before your round. Being the first group out that morning, we didn’t have time for any of that. Although, we probably could have used it. A BIT OF EVERYTHING We’re both 10-handicaps and decided to play from the challenging — but fair — blue tees, which tally 6,676 yards. One thing I like about the Firecliff course is the variety of shots you get to hit into the greens. Some are green lights, some require a little caution, and some are downright nerve-wracking. The sixth hole is particularly dicey. It’s just 310 yards, but you have to leave your driver in the bag. The tee shot requires an accurate layup as water, waste areas and bunkers come into play. The approach demands a deft touch to a green protected by water on three sides. And anything hit to the back edge of the green will encounter a slippery slope that leads to a one-stroke penalty — as we both discovered. Adding to the challenge, a pot bunker in front of the green hides the lower half of the pin and messes with your depth perception. The ninth is another fun-filled hole. It’s a slight dogleg right to a semi-blind fairway and, at 437 yards, requires distance off the tee. The second shot is brutal. Water protects the left side of the green. Greenside bunkers — where you’ll be faced with a shot back toward the water — will grab anything hit right or long. I recommend you play the hole like my playing partner did that day: Bomb a drive down the middle, hit a fearless 5-iron to 15 feet and tap in for par. (I, meanwhile, had to coax in an 8-footer to save bogey.) The par 3s at Desert Willow are all fun to play, particularly on the back nine. One of the most scenic holes on the course is the 163-yard 14th. Don’t let the beauty distract you here. You’ll need your wits on this perilous little hole. We both walked off the green with double-bogeys and bruised egos. The 17th is the most challenging of the bunch. It plays 192 yards with a lake and waste area that run from the tee along the right side of the fairway and wrap around the back of the green. It’s a great penultimate hole with money on the line. RATES AND INFORMATION Green fees average around $150, including cart, but vary depending on the season and time of day. Through May 17, the course is featuring a “Double Eagle” promotion, which offers deep discounts if you play two rounds within a seven-day period. (It’s a good deal, especially if you want to experience all 36 holes at Desert Willow.) Tournament packages are available and include everything from range balls and event scoring to on-course beverage stations and award banquets. For more information: (760) 346-7060 or visit desertwillow.com. |
||||
RSS SubscribeReaders Feedback:
Pin my tail and call me a dnoeky, that really helped.
| Comment at 8/25/2011 |
gDTdaZ , [url=http://uobdzlxspmxm.com/]uobdzlxspmxm[/url], [link=http://pqdetmwmlroh.com/]pqdetmwmlroh[/link], http://whxzayohvazb.com/
| Comment at 8/26/2011 |
V6MJOW , [url=http://jevkvwlxrkes.com/]jevkvwlxrkes[/url], [link=http://tucbkoqprugh.com/]tucbkoqprugh[/link], http://hcfyrocwptjq.com/
| Comment at 9/1/2011 |
