Sal's review is the one to read but if you still are interested in another perspective on this course, here goes. It's a place, in my opinion, built around the concept of money rather than golf. Yes... Continue »

Sal's review is the one to read but if you still are interested in another perspective on this course, here goes. It's a place, in my opinion, built around the concept of money rather than golf. Yes, the golf has to be perfect, because that kind of money expects perfection. So, the course is perfect. Driving on the cart paths is like the Radiator Springs Racers at Disneyland. Rockscapes and waterfalls and a cart that can accelerate to the point that a wheelie seemed possible. Hold off taking a drink until the cart has come to a full and complete stop. The layout is the best I've ever played without having that "special" feeling. The feeling I got playing Pebble, Aviara, and Rams Hills is missing. Too many straight holes with varying lumps, at one point , I though we had accidently stopped at a hole we already played. Hole 18 is the obvious finishing hole because it had everything you'd want in a hole visually and playing wise. A couple more holes like that and I'd probably think differently about the course being special. Never having played with a caddy, it was incredibly odd. I stood there until he came over and told me what yardage to hit and where to aim. It sometime felt like I was a golf swing robot - (an often malfunctioning one). At the same time, I stood over the ball with less thoughts in my head and could focus on the shot at hand in a way I rarely ever had before. For a place that doesn't need to let the outside in, I wonder a bit why they let the SCGA play there every year. But, from the outset, they treated us well and I appreciated that.

Played here on 5/12 as part of the SCGA Members Outing alongside GK friend Kassper7 on a balmy and sunny 100 degree day. Had always wanted to drop a few bills to play this event but never had the chan... Continue »

Played here on 5/12 as part of the SCGA Members Outing alongside GK friend Kassper7 on a balmy and sunny 100 degree day. Had always wanted to drop a few bills to play this event but never had the chance, glad I decided to do it [and book early since tee times for nearly every SCGA event this year were sold out in hours; thanks COVID golf boom :/]. This course lived up to my lofty expectations in every way, from the moment you drive through the multi-million dollar homes to reach the clubhouse, to the sparkling green range, to the fascinating stories from the caddie, and finally the amazing course and conditions....

Tee boxes: This may have been the weakest part of the day and by weak I mean they were a notch below ideal. I don't remember any particular hole being so beat up it caused a problem, rather since I have a feeling most guys out there played the same tees (blues for us) or the combination that included the blue on most holes, they received their fair amount of play. Our caddie alerted us this is the most play the course has gotten all year with a usual day being about 1/5th as busy.

Fairways: Finely manicured carpet. Every caddie took care of their group's divots and I had my fair share. Roll was more than fair, yet somehow lies were also perfect. Visually they popped against the natural terrain surrounding the course.

Rough: Thick but in my opinion, not overly punishing at least not to the level that requires you to club up significantly. Far more punishing than the rough is simply missing the grass all together and ending up in the natural hazards.

Sand: Amazingly was only in one bunker today and it was a fairway bunker. Good amount of perfectly soft sand (not so soft you had to muscle up but also not dirt-like). Seems like my group didn't have too much trouble with it. Caddie would rake for you which was nice.

Greens: The highlight of the round; they were as close to perfect as I have seen this year. They ran incredibly smooth and they were pretty fast as well (even faster when you ran past the hole). Contouring on the greens was tricky at times so thankful to have the caddie giving us every single line.

ETC: As mentioned, this course sits on some of the most precious and expensive terrain in the greater Palm Springs area. Caddie was quick to point out some celebrity homes including plenty of Hollywood stars, sports team owners, famous businessmen, etc. No one at the club treated us as second-class and there also wasn't a great deal of sucking up, so it felt fairly casual. Layout was more fun than I thought it would be, especially in the short par 4's. Some holes were more innocuous than others; some par 3's were just punishing if you missed the green like I did. Our caddie, Tommy, was excellent providing good club recommendations, lines to shot at, tips/tricks, comedic relief, and great course knowledge. Costly outing between green fee and caddie gratuity, but completely worth it in my opinion as you are playing the home of the Monday Night Golf: Battle at Bighorn matches that featured Woods, Garcia, Nicklaus, and Trevino!

Played in the SCGA outing as well. Kev is spot on in his review. One of the guys in our group had played here before and he said the greens are definitely different. It seems like a different type ... Continue »

Played in the SCGA outing as well. Kev is spot on in his review. One of the guys in our group had played here before and he said the greens are definitely different. It seems like a different type of grass is trying to take over. They putted great thou. Faster than they looked but I don’t think they were a 12 as was posted either.

Fairways are lush green and outstanding to hit from. Normally I expect the desert courses to be a little drier and browner but not here. Pretty generous landing areas but wayward drives can find the desert.

Found a couple of bunkers and they were great, white sand that was soft and fluffy.

The price is certainly on the higher side but the course is great and I was glad I did it. The wind was down today but if it’s blowing I can imagine this playing a lot more difficult. I’ll certianly be back when it comes back to the Canyon side.

Got to play in the SCGA event today 05/14. Course is in magnificent shape. Tee boxes excellent, fairways look like carpet. Hardly any divots anywhere. There is some rough but it is not penal. Sand t... Continue »

Got to play in the SCGA event today 05/14. Course is in magnificent shape. Tee boxes excellent, fairways look like carpet. Hardly any divots anywhere. There is some rough but it is not penal. Sand traps have fluffy sand. Green were great. They are in a transition where they look like a wool doormat. Kind of gnarly but putted great. Green speed read 12 but they did not seem that fast. The new clubhouse is amazing. POP was almost 5 hrs. Customer service was great.

I played here today as part of the annual SCGA outing at this exclusive club. The price was very steep, but I was able to justify the splurge as it represented the 750th course I have played. It was q... Continue »

I played here today as part of the annual SCGA outing at this exclusive club. The price was very steep, but I was able to justify the splurge as it represented the 750th course I have played. It was quite a treat and a worthy place to celebrate that milestone. It was a very big group with a 9:00 shotgun, but things moved along well by the standards of these outings. Took about 4:45 to complete the round. My group started on the gorgeous par-3 7th, we had an excellent forecaddie (Scott) and the course was downright amazing in every way. As far as conditions go, you can't get much better than this. The tee boxes, fairways and rough are simply immaculate. Looks like astroturf with everything perfectly manicured. The bunkers were exceptional with soft sand. The greens were firm and fast (rolling at 11.5 according to the sign up top). They are just starting to transition and brown out a little, but the surfaces were pure as pure can be. It was a fantastic experience all around. The only slight bummer was that the regular clubhouse is currently being torn down and completely rebuilt. It's supposed to be something quite spectacular and not opening until late next year. Currently, there's just a temporary trailer for the pro shop, but there was a nice restaurant area and plenty of amenities to enjoy. The practice area is excellent, with the range stocked with Bighorn logo Pro-V1 practice balls. The course itself is very beautiful. It's a Tom Fazio design, so you can definitely make some comparisons to Rams Hill (Rams Hill with fully matured landscaping all around and even more bells and whistles), but then some sections feel like high-end Vegas courses. Other spots feel like Scottsdale. Each hole looks great and the layout offers plenty of challenge and diversity. Like most Fazio courses, the fairways are very generous. You just need to avoid bunkers/hazards and survive the big, undulating greens. That's where the challenges lie. Certainly, if you ever have the opportunity play here, take advantage of it. I can't wait until next year when the outing will be on the Mountains Course, which they only book every few years. I have a feeling I'll like that course even more, so I will start saving my pennies now!