Recently played Longbow (in Mesa) for the first time. Very nice course; good green complexes, some great spots for pins, was in very nice shape overall. Plus, at 7k yards is a decent test from the tips. I recommend it.

Long bow is pretty fun as long as it's in decent shape. Def worth playing and a little better than average for sure IMO

Need some serious help-

I'm 1 for my last 37 putts between 11 and 20 feet at Karsten. I'm a good putter- I always have good speed and I feel like I'm in the ballpark of my handicap (~scratch) when it comes to reading greens. If anything, my tendency is to read more break than there is on straight-ish putts.

There's not a consistent pattern of misses either- quite a few just run by the edge and my misses are not wide.

There's grain on these greens for sure. You can tell when you are putting into the grain or down grain based on how shiny it is both behind and in front of the hole.

The questions:

1) Is 1 for 37 some terrible variance or cause for concern?
2) Do you factor in grain on the break of your putts out here?
3) If you were to get your stroke diagnosed, where would you go/how would you do it?

Prolly just thinking too much...get a read and hit it IMO. I over read greens a lot too and find just hit it straighter and firmer always works out better for me...aka u don't make any putts you leave short.

Also, Out here in AZ putts break more in the summer than winter due to rye grass vs Bermuda.

tuq - I assume classic club will be in perfect condition right now right? Any tips for it? We have a 7:30 AM on Saturday.

So hyped for this trip and the lineup of courses we have!

Hopefully not too windy for you.
Was immaculate two weeks ago.

Cool.

Yeah, I dunno what to say - but driver can get you in a lot of trouble if you're not hitting it straight. I recall it being fairly wide but the punishment for missing on some holes is severe...usually water or down into a large wash. #6 and #7 in particular, they moved an incredible amount of dirt to create very large, deep washes that are visually impossible to ignore.

Lots of great risk-reward holes. All four par-5s are that way if you play from a tee which will enable you to get home (I think the back tees make it tough on a couple of them). There isn't a boring hole in the bunch imo. Look forward to your report on this and all the others, and no doubt pics cuz you're usually good about that.

Ok cool will do! Yeah we might end up playing one tee up at every course just to have a good time for everyone and I think it will still be a good test.

Durango, so jealous of how you get to play those.

Also vista verde>Troon? never played VV but taking a friend golfing so thinking about trying it.

Thx man, in the middle of an epic Palm Springs golf trip right now...just played classic club and about to peg it at PGA west stadium

Wouldn't say its better, its quite a different type of course. It's a great course though and way cheaper than Troon North. For the $ it is way better, overall I would say Troon North is still the better course(s). If I had to pay I would play VV, if it was free I'd play Troon North

^this

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Troon is very expensive right now. Plus haven't played VV.

Also for a second course to play, I still have yet to play we-ko-pa anyone play there recently? Maybe there or kierland. My friend isnt that good and I know kierland is pretty easy of a course.

Big TR and pics coming tomorrow.

The Palms Golf Club that we played twice in Palm Springs was absolutely elite. It was unbelievable and easily vaults to like my top 3-4 courses I have ever played.

Definitely the best place ive played in Palm Springs area.
How bout that 14th?

14 was that monster par 5 right? The course was amazing. I got a ton of pictures to share.

alright here goes my attempt at a decent TR. I'm also going to cross post this in Palm Springs thread as well.

Thursday March 13th-
Finally get out of Phoenix and on the road at just about 5 PM. After a dinner stop in Blythe (Rebel BBQ ftw) we arrived at our villa just across the street from La Quinta Country Club and right up against the mountains. Unfortunately I didn't take any pics of the villa but it was definitely nice. I think it ended up costing us about $1500 after cleaning fee, taxes, etc. The price was inflated due to the tennis tournament at Indian Wells. Split between 8 guys it wasn't terrible for 3 nights.

Played some poker when we got in and ended up getting to bed at about 2 AM lol.

Friday March 14th -
5:30 AM wake up call came QUICK!

First round up is The Palms Golf Club. We knew this place was going to be nice but our entire group was absolutely floored at the conditions and quality of this place. It's strictly a golf focused private club that prides itself on good players and fast play. Average round for them is 3:30 and we finished in 3:50 and were told that we were the slowest round of 2014 lol. They ended up sending us first out since the other members seemed to like to want to tee off at 8:30-9.

If I could rate the course out of 100. I would give it a 98-99 and only because it's not on the ocean or in the pine trees. I have been lucky to play a few really nice courses but this one it at the top of my rankings. The only place that I have seen course conditions like this is at Forest Highlands in Flagstaff.

The greens were bent grass and rolling about 12s they said with extreme slope. Every chip shot was difficult it seemed like trying to control the ball and get it on the right sides of the slope.

I took a bunch of pics obviously. Enjoy. The pics are in kind of a random order so it's not in the order of the course.























to be continued.....

forgot to add that I'm pretty sure all future golf courses that I play are ruined from now on lol.

also of note is that the course was designed by Fred Couples and a partner. apparently he practices and plays there quite a bit and honestly the whole feel of the place was relaxed and not prentenious like some of the other private clubs I have played. we spoke with a few members and had lunch in the clubhouse both times we played there and everyone was so welcoming and just wanted to know how much we enjoyed their course.

don't really feel like adding to my trip report from palm springs as the other courses didn't hold a candle to Palms so I will just leave it at that.

played orangetree yesterday morning and was again pleasantly surprised. conditions were really nice and better than I have ever seen them there. greens were super solid and faster than I really wanted them as I had a tough time getting my lag putts close on some of the slopes. ended up playing really well and shooting 73 so was happy with my game.

have a buddy coming into town next weekend and no hook ups so we are going to hit up lol maryvale for a good time hopefully.

Played moon valley today with my buddy who works there at 2:20 pm...we had a threesome and finished before 6 waiting quite a bit. Course is in outstanding condition and greens are awesome.

Highly recommend if u can find a deal on golf now.

Maryvale sucked...only good part was teeing off at 2:00 pm and finishing at 5:30 somehow.

Greens were alright but there was literally no grass outside of fairways and so many suspect lies around the green that chipping was a nightmare. Do not recommend it. Will be playing Aguila next time we need to hit up a muni

Too bad, I have fond memories of playing Maryvale growing up. Not in much of a hurry to go back though given the proliferation of golf courses since and that it's out on the WEST SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE in about the worst part of town there is.

Still need to get back to Moon Valley. Played that a ton in high school as well.

Have hardly played so I'm doing so vicariously through you. Other than a round at Dobson Ranch when my mother was in town a few weeks back, haven't played since January. Playing in a hit-and-giggle - aka scramble - on Friday at Ocotillo though, that's always in good shape.

Also, heading to Rocky Point next week. Haven't been there in over a decade, and back then there were no golf courses aside from a sand course out in Las Conchas that was cute but doesn't really count. Any courses that must be played? Our trip is going to be during the Masters though so I'm compelled to just watch golf instead (drive to Mexico to watch golf...expert).

Tuq - must play Mayan palace just south of las conchas. Sick course on the ocean, good condition and tons of holes literally on the ocean. Wayyyyyy better than las Paloma's and only about $50-$65 to play. Negotiate a rate or ask for specials.

Las Paloma's is okay and widddeeee open course that is really links style but doesn't hold a candle to Mayan palace IMO


Yes moon valley is in great shape right now so if u can find a deal on golf now I highly recommend it.

Maryvale is off my list possibly forever. ****ty area, no grass, degen crowd playing, etc

Was invited to play Encanterra this weekend. I guess it is private or semi-private. Not sure if I should be legit looking forward to it or not.

Never played it as it's a deep drive but heard it's decent. Looking forward to a TR