Golf in the USA - California in particular

spurscormac

Hi folks,

Going on hols to the states next week, touring around various places. I'll be spending some time in Palm Springs in CA, so hoping to get a chance to play a round of golf.
I have two simple enough questions...

1. Any recommendations in the immediate Palm Springs vicinty? There are loads of courses so its hard to know which would be best to play. I'm a 22 H'capper, so something enjoyable would be my aim, nothing crazy difficult and depressing. Value green fees also a consideration.

2. When playing in the USA, are you required to bring any documentary evidence of your handicap? I have a GUI card, but that obviously won't be readable over there I assume, and doesn't state my handicap.

Any advice on the above is greatly appreciated.

dirtyden

spurscormac wrote: »

Hi folks,

Going on hols to the states next week, touring around various places. I'll be spending some time in Palm Springs in CA, so hoping to get a chance to play a round of golf.
I have two simple enough questions...

1. Any recommendations in the immediate Palm Springs vicinty? There are loads of courses so its hard to know which would be best to play. I'm a 22 H'capper, so something enjoyable would be my aim, nothing crazy difficult and depressing. Value green fees also a consideration.

2. When playing in the USA, are you required to bring any documentary evidence of your handicap? I have a GUI card, but that obviously won't be readable over there I assume, and doesn't state my handicap.

Any advice on the above is greatly appreciated.

There are public courses everywhere however the standard varys immensely. Green fees very reasonable on all public courses. I am not sure but I think pebble beach may not be far from palm springs.

Pebble beach would be a bit of a spin away but an absolutely stunning drive along the pacific coast.

I doubt you will need your handicap, I did not get asked, but I only played at a public course in San Diego

dvemail

Your handicap should be on http://golfnet.ie/new_login.asp.
So if its needed just login to that website. Doubt it would be needed though.

FlutterinBantam

spurscormac wrote: »

Hi folks,

Going on hols to the states next week, touring around various places. I'll be spending some time in Palm Springs in CA, so hoping to get a chance to play a round of golf.
I have two simple enough questions...

1. Any recommendations in the immediate Palm Springs vicinty? There are loads of courses so its hard to know which would be best to play. I'm a 22 H'capper, so something enjoyable would be my aim, nothing crazy difficult and depressing. Value green fees also a consideration.

2. When playing in the USA, are you required to bring any documentary evidence of your handicap? I have a GUI card, but that obviously won't be readable over there I assume, and doesn't state my handicap.

Any advice on the above is greatly appreciated.

Plenty of courses down in Palm Desert which is a little east of PS, La Quinta resort is just one.

expensive though and the courses are difficult.

I'm sure there are public courses though.

spurscormac

Thanks for the replies.

There does seem to be a lot of courses, and prices do tend to vary, I suppose a trip to the Palm Springs Tourist Office would be a starting point.

I'll have to get on to my club on the login to golfnet, don't think they ever requested my email address, so if I get password reset it will be sent to them. Need to get that changed to my email address.

Afraid Pebble Beach is out of the question, our trip is fairly well planned out and thats just too far from where we're staying. Was more looking for a recommendation in the general Palm Springs vicinity - there's enough courses there not to need to drive too far.

I'm staying near the La Quinta complex, so these are the closest courses:-

1. TPC Stadium
2. Arnold Palmer
3. PGA West
4. Jack Nicklaus
5. Greg Norman
6. The Palms

If anyone can recommend one of them, or any other specific course in the Palm Spring/Palm Desert/Coachella/Indio/La Quinta/Cathedral City area, that would be great.

PhilipMarlowe

Can't you just register on golfnet by putting in your number.... as far as I remember the default password is 'Golfnet' which you can then change?

spurscormac

Licksy wrote: »

Can't you just register on golfnet by putting in your number.... as far as I remember the default password is 'Golfnet' which you can then change?

Sorted - thanks Licksy.

carlito57

Greenskeeper.org and forelinksters are handy for course info. Golfnow good for tee times. You won't need a handicap cert-plenty of rangers over there though-more concerned with pace of play rather than quality of golf! Enjoy the trip

carlito57

although municipal courses are slow going-5-balls!! Gawd help us

spurscormac

carlito57 wrote: »

although municipal courses are slow going-5-balls!! Gawd help us

I'll be on my own, none of the group I'm with are golfers, so should be flying around, even if I am +50 by the end of the round :-)

FlutterinBantam

spurscormac wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

There does seem to be a lot of courses, and prices do tend to vary, I suppose a trip to the Palm Springs Tourist Office would be a starting point.

I'll have to get on to my club on the login to golfnet, don't think they ever requested my email address, so if I get password reset it will be sent to them. Need to get that changed to my email address.

Afraid Pebble Beach is out of the question, our trip is fairly well planned out and thats just too far from where we're staying. Was more looking for a recommendation in the general Palm Springs vicinity - there's enough courses there not to need to drive too far.

I'm staying near the La Quinta complex, so these are the closest courses:-

1. TPC Stadium
2. Arnold Palmer
3. PGA West
4. Jack Nicklaus
5. Greg Norman
6. The Palms

If anyone can recommend one of them, or any other specific course in the Palm Spring/Palm Desert/Coachella/Indio/La Quinta/Cathedral City area, that would be great.

I would definitely recommend the Mountain course in la Quinta...played the PGA West... but as a 5 handicapper found it tough, don't know how a high man might take it.

Lot of Pete Dye courses with raised greens ... tough fcukers!!!