ESCENA GOLF CLUB (760-778-2737) - Closed until further notice
Review 12/23/05
This course is currently closed.
Escena Golf Club is the first public golf course to open within the Palm Springs city limit in the past 20 years. This Jack Nicklaus course is the centerpiece of a gated residential enclave, and features wide fairways accented by towering Mexican fan palms, pepper trees and other native vegetation. Multiple lakes and streams provide water hazards that come into play on nine of the holes, which are spread out over 172 acres of gently rolling topography.
This beautiful course meanders through a master-planned community that is built in classic Spanish design that melds with the mid-century modern architecture of historic Palm Springs. In the plans are a 1100 square foot clubhouse with pro shop, restaurant/lounge, private dining/meeting areas, locker rooms for men and women, a pro shop and outdoor terrace. There is a practice green on property and a grass range is also in the works.
Golfers will encounter ample landing zones on well conditioned playing surfaces, with 99 sand bunkers located greenside or along the fairways. A good iron game will come in handy, as some of the green complexes are quite tight with collection areas and swales awaiting offline approaches. Spectacular mountain views form wonderful backdrops behind the sloping greens and looking backwards towards the tees. Four sets of tees play to distances and slopes measuring 7173 yards/130 slope, 6615 yards/124 slope, 6120 yards/120 slope for men and 135 for women, and 5541 yards with a 127 slope for women hitting front the Front tees.
The middle tees (6120 yards) are recommended for the average player. There is a nice mix of short and long par fours, 4 par fives that are reasonable in length, and a challenging set of par threes. Most of the holes are bordered at some point by desert waste areas that are sufficiently manicured to afford reasonable recovery opportunities. Players will find yardage markers at 100, 150 and 200 yards on the fairways, as well as sprinkler heads that are measured to the center of the green. Pin placement sheets are mounted on each cart, and all the tee boxes are also marked.
Escena opened in November 2005, and was in especially good shape on our late December visit - as can be expected of a Jack Nicklaus designed, Troon managed golf facility. An abundance of palm trees, mountain views, and wonderful manicured playing surfaces combine with reasonable rates (topping out at $125 in 2007) to make this one of the best golf values in the Palm Springs area. This course is always open for public play. Weekday and unlimited seasonal passes are available. For more info, visit our page for Escena, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
|
