Bighorn Golf Club (Mountains Course): Private: Member Reviews

255 Palowet Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260 • (760) 341-4653

LOCAL WEATHER

Palm Desert, CA (92260)

81°F
Fair

[Full Forecast]

Humidity: 8%
Wind: SE at 6mph

Sunset: 7:00 pm
green Sunrise: 6:42 am

COURSE LINKS

Bighorn Golf Club

SUBMIT

pages: 1

« previous | next »

1. SBogey

Posted: 05/18/17 9:36p
Member Since: Sep 12, 2007
From: Big Bear

Got to play this amazing course on 5-15-17 with the SCGA outing. This course is as much fun and beautiful to play as any. When I think of a private course I think swanky and clean. You bet! Could I pl... Continue »

All Reviews by SBogey

8 Likes.

Rated
9.2 Conditions

2. kg1791

Posted: 05/16/17 9:17a
Member Since: Apr 18, 2003
From: So Cal

I also played in the SCGA event on Mon. 5/15. Course is fantastic. Played with Keith, Brian and Steve all GKers. I can't really add too much more to Keith (sixpez) and Craig123 reviews. Our caddie Dea... Continue »

All Reviews by kg1791

13 Likes.

Rated
9.7 Conditions

3. Craig123

Posted: 05/15/17 11:14p
Member Since: Oct 3, 2005
From: Upland

Played 5/15/17 in the SCGA outing with a 9:00 am shotgun start. Prior to the round, noticed that sixpez was playing and caught up with him in his pursuit to reach 1000 different courses.
As I completely agree with his report on course conditions, I'll try to mention a few things he didn't. First of all, the practice facility is like none I have ever seen before. I was a little disappointed to be hitting off a 3' band of Astroturf to warm up, but with that many people all going off at the same time, I understand. The targets to shoot at were actual greens that IMO were better than most greens I've played recently. The practice sand and chipping area were spectacular and a mirror image of what was on the course.
Our caddie Greg was brought out to help from BelAire CC and was on his game. He was filling divots, cleaning clubs, cleaning balls, racking sand traps (I wasn't as lucky as sixpez), making sure we had cold water (which there was plenty of cold bottled water stationed all over the course), oh and including course knowledge.
I did not see one hint of brown or browning grass and Greg mentioned that IF that was the case, they just take up the sod and replace it with new sod. Did I mention the houses? Greg was sure to point out Kurt Russel and Goldie Hawn's and the owner of Starbucks home's which were nothing short of breathtaking.
The course was a little tricky for me especially on the par 5's. You'd hit a great drive and have 210-230 to get home in two or have a 130-160 layup. I of course would go for it as I will most likely never play it again and was burnt every time.
The entire staff was amazing from the guard at the gate, the valet guys (even loaded my bag in the back seat of my truck after the round), to all the caddies helping everybody get their stuff loaded and underway.
I've been looking forward to this for the last 3-4 months like a kid going to Disneyland the first time, and was completely blown away. Thanks to the members of Bighorn and the SCGA for allowing us to play your course

All Reviews by Craig123

13 Likes.

Rated
9.9 Conditions

4. sixpez

Posted: 05/15/17 7:21a
Member Since: Oct 16, 2003
From: Rancho Mirage

After loving the experience on the Canyons course at last year's SCGA outing, I was eager to sign up and play the Mountains course outing this year. We had a 9:00 shotgun start with 120 players, so it was a sluggish pace of almost 5 hours. Still, when you pay this much and get to play a course so nice, you don't mind taking your time! It was especially fun playing with an all-GK group along with kg1791, bsparks1961 and sbogey.

The course, as expected, was in exceptional condition. It didn't seem quite as pristine as last year on the Canyons Course, but that was setting the bar at near-perfection. There was little to complain about today. Tee boxes and fairways were green and cut super tight. Rough lush and provided good lies (I actually preferred it over the tight, yet sticky rye fairways). I wasn't in any bunkers, but they looked beautiful with soft white sand. The greens varied a little in firmness, due to the transitional nature of the season. Some were more overtaken by the summer bermuda and thus firmer. Others softer. They said they were running 11.5 before the round and I would have guessed slower. They were definitely a touch slower than Toscana yesterday, so I left almost every putt short today. The slope off the mountains and down toward the valley has a MAJOR impact on putts here, so the greens are tricky to read.

They are still in the midst of building the massive new clubhouse here. I guess at some point awhile ago they switched the nines. We actually started on the 10th hole, so we played what would seem to have been the original routing. Though beautiful and fun, I was a little underwhelmed on our front nine (actually the back nine) because I had heard this course was more dramatic and target-oriented than Canyons. My expectations were met in abundance when we made our turn and played what is currently the front nine. It is very entertaining with major elevation changes and some serious target golf holes. I loved this side of the course and I was ultimately glad we started on the 10th hole to play what felt like the proper routing with a build up to the more dramatic holes. That said, the current 18th hole will finish with what figures to be an amazing new clubhouse overlooking the green. Ultimately, those plans are probably what dictated and nine flip whenever it happened. When done, the Mountains Course will have its own full practice area and range. It will all be impressive. I hope I have the chance to play here again someday, so I can see it all completed.

All Reviews by sixpez

16 Likes.

Rated
9.0 Conditions

5. roarksown1

Posted: 03/17/15 7:56p
Member Since: Jan 6, 2013
From: Playa del Rey

On day two of my fantastic Bighorn golf weekend, my friend and I tackled the Mountains course from the blue tees. If you're interested in conditions of the course, then just see my review on the Canyons course - they're equally perfect, although the greens on the Mountains course may even be slightly better - and certainly more challenging. What makes for great contrast on the Mountains course, especially the back 9, is the contrast between the verdant fairways and the rocky outcroppings, complemented by the beautiful flora that hugs the land. It's simply breathtaking. You also get gorgeous views down into the Palm Springs valley on one side, and the San Jacinto mountain range behind. Set amongst all this grandeur is some of the most beautiful architecture you're ever to see. The places around the course are just amazing, and that's essentially (according to the members) why the golf itself is so good. It's all about that real estate, but if you don't live there, you just get to enjoy a spectacular day hitting the sticks. Also wanted to note about how relaxed things are here. When we opened up our round, there was a group ahead of us, but in the middle of the first fairway, one of them drove down to us, told us his party would likely be slow and asked if we wanted to move ahead of them at the next tee. And when we were on 16, there was a guy playing solo (and very fast!) behind us, so we extended the same courtesy, not wanting to rush the day. No fuss, just golf. That was a nice characteristic of the people there. But back to the course ... while there are some elevations on the front 9 at Mountains, it's relatively similar to the Canyons course, only a bit less fairway to work with in many cases - but not by much. Holes 6 and 8 stand out as real stunners - just gorgeous tee shots to tantalize the senses. On the back 9, the elevation begins. After a gently sloping uphill par 5 to open the back, you hit the hills for a crazy par 4 that starts from an elevated tee to a very small landing area (lots of trouble to get into), then a sharp dogleg left straight uphill to a tricky green. After that it's uphill ravine crossings for the most part until the fabulous 15th hole which starts at least 300 feet above the fairway, which then cuts off abruptly yet again another 100 feet to the green. It's a wild tee shot. 18 is a very nice finishing hole, relatively flat but just as picturesque as all the others before it. And if you don't want to read about conditions from the other review - I'll keep it short and simple. Everything is perfect. If there's one knock it's that it's very difficult to catch up to the speed of the greens if you're used to playing Rancho or Alondra every week, but for those who get to play these types of courses all the time, you're in for a treat. Also would be nice to get a little spin on the ball on approach or the fast greens can easily take you for a ride. I am thankful that this is actually beginning to look like it might be a yearly trip every March so I'm already looking forward to 2016. I was fortunate enough to get to play for free both days (just paid caddies $80 each day), but whatever they're asking for if you can get on - pay it. Actually, that's probably unreasonable for many, but don't miss out if it's in any way, shape or form doable. Memory of a lifetime for me this weekend. Loved every minute of it and never wanted it to end.

All Reviews by roarksown1

13 Likes.

Rated
10.0 Conditions

SUBMIT

pages: 1

« previous | next »

Playing Conditions
---
Not Rated