Played on 1/15 Friday just after 11AM. My club is part of Club Corp network so they allow us to play 2 rounds a month for cart fee here so price / value is hard to beat for me when I'm visiting the a... Continue »

Played on 1/15 Friday just after 11AM. My club is part of Club Corp network so they allow us to play 2 rounds a month for cart fee here so price / value is hard to beat for me when I'm visiting the area. Mark in the proshop helped us put our 2 tee times back to back that were about 30 minutes apart so they're definitely there to help you out. As other reviewers have stated, they definitely emphasize fast play albeit little over board sometime. We were on #8 fairway at 1:20 minute mark and ranger came by and asked us to speed up play. LOL There was 3 some right behind our 2nd group who were on individual cart who I assume was the complainer but common we're playing 3:30 minute 18 hole pace and you're complaining? Besides that, everything else went smoothly. Fairways are always in top condition and their rough is very playable and super lush. Greens are medium firm with some rollout and speed is just under being scary so you don't have to whack it to get it to the hole. I always enjoy the layouts here and at $45, its hard for me to go play any public courses out here when GK is not hosting an event. Hopefully I'll have a chance to visit one more time before the Spring to enjoy the Cove course on next visit.

Got an invite from a friend to play out here at 12:00 today, Sunday 12/27. Worked out perfectly as I was sitting on 299 different lifetime courses, so getting to play such a historic private club and ... Continue »

Got an invite from a friend to play out here at 12:00 today, Sunday 12/27. Worked out perfectly as I was sitting on 299 different lifetime courses, so getting to play such a historic private club and former PGA Tour venue for No. 300 was awesome! We started right on time and were sent out just as the two of us, following a walking threesome and with two single riders immediately behind us. The club puts an emphasis on fast play, and even though we were waiting on the group ahead, we definitely felt pressure from the twosome behind us as we both wanted to relish the experience a bit and take lots of photos. Things worked out when the twosome behind us decided to jump over to the Cove course after the par-5 5th. Even with lots of waiting on the group ahead of us, POP was great at about 3:45. (And quick enough that we got offered the opportunity to keep playing on Cove. I’ll write a separate review for that.) Saw the beverage cart twice. Even the attendant stressed fast play, as she encouraged us to continue playing while she made our Bloody Marys and drove to catch up with us when she finished. Marshal came by every few holes as well.

Conditions are fantastic. Everything is deep green with really good coverage. Nothing was quite immaculate, but 8s and 9s across the board. Greens were smooth, medium-fast and pretty firm. A few blemishes here and there, but mostly great. Fairways were lush, cut short with good coverage, and never had to think twice about any lies. Rough was even more lush and not too deep, maybe two inches at the most. Tee boxes were all good. I was in a bunch of bunkers and they were all pretty consistent with a firm base (not hardpan, though) and sufficient sand on top to play shots accurately. No rakes due to covid, but it’s obvious they are grooming the bunkers daily as they all looked really nice.

The layout shares similarities with many Coachella Valley courses such as palm-lined narrow fairways, occasionally playing through the flood channel/wash, and desert homes lining the edges and bringing OB into play. Then there are a few holes – 3, 4, 5, & 18 – that play right against the Santa Rosa mountains and are clearly a step up from the rest. I loved those holes, especially the 5th and 18th, both of which are excellent and beautiful par 5s. The only minor bummer of the day was that the sun never fully emerged from behind pretty thick cloud cover, stifling the course’s beauty just a bit. Overall it was a fantastic experience, and felt great to notch off because I was supposed to play here back in March, but my tee time at that point was the first weekend of the Riverside County covid golf shutdown.

If you ever get a chance to play here, make sure to take advantage of it!

Rode the Blacks (6478/72.1/130) in 2H, 45M mid day playing as a single. Around 104, clear and calm. COVID-19: Masks required anytime around people. Not required on course playing alone. No rakes, bu... Continue »

Rode the Blacks (6478/72.1/130) in 2H, 45M mid day playing as a single. Around 104, clear and calm. COVID-19: Masks required anytime around people. Not required on course playing alone. No rakes, but water stations now open. Normal cups and divot mix on the carts. Pro Shop and bathrooms open, getting cloer and closer to normal. Restaurant and Clubhouse closed to the public. Incredible the difference in 6 weeks with probably two dozen days in that period well above 100. Over seeding burned off, and what is left is shockingly mediocre considering what I experienced here in April and early May. Tees thin with some brown areas. Par 3's had their share of unfixed divots. Fairways semi lush and still nice to play from. Rough semi lush and mowed down to about 2", good POP rough. Sand traps had decent sand and were okay considering they are only raked once a day. Bermuda greens were recently punched with small holes. Bermuda coverage thin. Firm, bumpy and medium speed is not my idea of a good time. Almost no ball marks because of the firmness. Customer service always exceptional here. Quick efficient check-in. no cart gal or Marshall today. All grass driving range with complementary balls was open. No GPS on the basic carts. Recommended.

Rode the Blacks (6478/72.1/130) in 2.5H twilight as a single. Sunny, calm and over 105. COVID-19: Check in @ pro shop from afar. All on course water stations shut off, but bathrooms open. Restaurant... Continue »

Rode the Blacks (6478/72.1/130) in 2.5H twilight as a single. Sunny, calm and over 105. COVID-19: Check in @ pro shop from afar. All on course water stations shut off, but bathrooms open. Restaurant and clubhouse closed. Raised cups to just below ground level so that the ball usually goes in the hole. No rakes, divot mix or ice chests on the basic carts. Tees lush and well maintained. Fairways lush and nice to play from. Rough lush and about 2-3". Great POP rough, usually easy to find balls. Traps had good quality sand and were well raked considering no rakes for players. Small Bermuda greens rolled well. Firm, medium fast bordering on fast downhill and putt very smooth. Few ball marks, because of their firmness balls would release. These greens have no tiers, but there are 3-4 holes where the slope from back to front is very deceptive and the ball will quickly be 5' to 10' by the hole even with little pace. Excellent customer service from all encountered, especially Paul in the pro shop and the Marshall Darrell. No Drink cart this afternoon. All grass range with good complementary balls. Basic carts do not have GPS. Fun course beginning to transition to middle of summer conditions with the recent heat wave. I definitely prefer the Classic course of the two IWCC courses. Small, old school greens are the norm. Fun layout to play. Recommended.

Rode the Blacks (6478/72.1/130) in 2.5H mid day playing as a single. Around 107 and clear with a slight breeze.

COVID-19: Masks required anytime around people. Not required on course playing alone... Continue »

Rode the Blacks (6478/72.1/130) in 2.5H mid day playing as a single. Around 107 and clear with a slight breeze.

COVID-19: Masks required anytime around people. Not required on course playing alone. Raised cups to just below ground level, the ball would actually go in most times. No divot mix, rakes or water stations open, but the bathrooms were. Pro Shop open only to check-in from afar. Restaurant and Clubhouse closed to the public.

Read that this course hosted the Bob Hope Crysler Classic 46 times over the years. Fun layout with sand, tall trees but not alot of water that has either the mountain, wash or nice homes lining most fairways.

Tees lush but with no divot mix, the par 3's had their share of unfixed divots.

Fairways lush and nice to play from.

Rough lush and mowed down to about 2-3", very good POP rough.

Sand traps were okay considering they had not been raked recently.

Bermuda greens putted very nice. Smooth, firm and medium fast speed. Almost no ball marks because of the firmness.

Customer service always exceptional here. Quick efficient check-in with Mark, cart gal around once offering ice and the Darrell the Marshall came around checking if I had liquids to drink. Excellent all grass driving range with complementary balls was open. No GPS on the basic carts. Highly recommended.

Rode the Blacks (6478/72.1/130) in slightly less than 3H mid morning playing as a single. High 90's and clear with a one club wind most of the round. Older course that used to host the PGA Tour. Fun... Continue »

Rode the Blacks (6478/72.1/130) in slightly less than 3H mid morning playing as a single. High 90's and clear with a one club wind most of the round. Older course that used to host the PGA Tour. Fun layout with smallish greens that utilizes sand, tall trees but not much water. Holes either have the mountain, wash or nice homes bordering them. A few tighter par 4's that are more strategic than length holes, but overall this is a grip it and rip it course. Tees lush and mostly well maintained. Fairways lush and nice to play from. Rough lush and mowed down to about 2-3", very good POP rough. Sand traps were mediocre. They had been raked recently but were still too firm around the greens. Bermuda greens putted very nice. Smooth, firm and medium fast speed. Almost no ball marks because of the firmness. Customer service always exceptional here. Quick efficient check-in, credit card only. Excellent all grass driving range with complementary balls was open. Even though I was playing alone, mask required at all times. Raised cups to just below ground level, the ball would actually go in most times. No GPS on the basic carts. No divot mix, rakes or water stations open, but the bathrooms were. Restaurant and clubhouse closed to the public. Overseeding mostly burned off, the Bermuda has taken back over almost everywhere. Highly recommended.

Rode the Blacks (6478/72.1/130) in 3H early afternoon playing as a single. Slightly over 100 and clear with a slight breeze. Older, historic layout that used to host the Bob Hope Crysler Classic back... Continue »

Rode the Blacks (6478/72.1/130) in 3H early afternoon playing as a single. Slightly over 100 and clear with a slight breeze. Older, historic layout that used to host the Bob Hope Crysler Classic back in the day. Smallish greens, fun layout with sand, tall trees but not much water that meanders around the mountain, wash and sometimes nice homes. Except for several par 4's that are more strategic than length holes, this is a grip it and rip it course. Good collection of par 3's and enjoyable par 5's. Tees lush but with no divot mix, the par 3's had their share of unfixed divots. Fairways lush and nice to play from. Rough lush and mowed down to about 2-3", very good POP rough. Sand traps were very mediocre. Compacted, doesn't appear they have been raked in a long while. Bermuda greens were very nice! Smooth, firm and putted medium fast speed. Almost no ball marks because of the firmness. Customer service always exceptional here. Quick efficient check-in, cart gal around once offering ice and the Marshall came around checking if I had liquids to drink. Excellent all grass driving range with complementary balls was open. Even though I was playing alone, it was made clear that a mask was required at all times. Raised cups to just below ground level, the ball would actually go in most times. No GPS on the basic carts. No divot mix, rakes or water stations open, but the bathrooms were. Restaurant and clubhouse closed to the public. Overseeding mostly burned off, the Bermuda has taken back over almost everywhere. Highly recommended.

First up on my Palm Springs area trip was Indian Wells Country Club on the Classic course. Customer service was spectacular as expected at a top private course. Clubhouse/pro shop is top notch wi... Continue »

First up on my Palm Springs area trip was Indian Wells Country Club on the Classic course. Customer service was spectacular as expected at a top private course. Clubhouse/pro shop is top notch with all the amenities you'd expect in a well stocked locker room.

Range is set up against the rock mountain setting the scene for great day to come. First hole has a nice forced carry over water with the mountain off to the side. The next few holes follow alongside the mountain. Sort of reminded me of Cascata.

After that the course becomes more parkland style with Palm trees. As Matt said, conditions are pretty darn near perfect. Greens were definitely a 10. They rolled very smooth without a pitch mark to be found. Fairways and rough were top notch as well. Not a brown spot to be found anywhere. Same for the tee boxes.

Sand traps were good to great but could use a bit more sand to make the 9-10 rating category.

This is a fun track with spectacular conditions and excellent customer service. They even gave me a ride back to my hotel after the round.

I'm going to try and squeeze in a round on the Cove course later in the week.

Definitely a good course to start out the trip on.

I am going to start this review with one word.... WOW!!! I have played some well manicured courses before but this one might take the cake. Playing two weeks ago on the sister course I did not realiz... Continue »

I am going to start this review with one word.... WOW!!! I have played some well manicured courses before but this one might take the cake. Playing two weeks ago on the sister course I did not realize how nice the classic was going to be. When Gregholla and I pulled in the gate we were amazed. Everything was SPECTACULAR from dark green rough to emerald fairways to the purest greens I have encountered playing golf. The course was pretty open today on the tee sheet and we zipped around as a twosome in less than 3:15 passing 2 groups during our round. I could not find any blade of grass out of place and ZERO brown spots the entire day. Tee's were flat and cut just right. They had a few options to choose from so you dont have to worry about length of the course. Fairways were just cut this morning and rolled really nice and had very few divots. Rough was medium in length and would stop any roll as it should. You must make clean contact otherwise you were not going to advance the ball very far. Greens were medium/firm and quick today and we only encountered one ball mark from a previous group that was 3 inches from the hole and that was it (PERFECTION). If I were to nitpick anything on the entire day it would be the sand. It was not bad but it was a little firm for my liking. Maybe 1 inch of sand and a firm under layer. I did not have any troubles getting out but it was the only thing keeping the course from a perfect 10! If you have the chance to be invited or have a clubcorp playaway membership you must get out here immediately. I normally consider myself a tough critic but this day blew me away!