 OAK VALLEY GOLF CLUB (951-769-7200)
Palm Springs Golf Course Review
Oak Valley Golf Club in Beaumont - about 35 minutes west of Palm Springs, is an 18-hole Landmark Signature design that has been rated with 4 stars by Golf Digest Places to Play ane has hosted the PGA Tour Qualifying for the past 11 years. Nestled between the scenic backdrop of the San Gorginio and San Jacinto Mountain ranges, the Schmidt/Curley design is recognized for its outstanding playing conditions from tee to green, and for its memorable vistas and fantastic shot values.
On my visit, the course was incredibly green, with the putting surfaces, fairways and even the rough in great shape - and with summer temperatures being about 10 degrees cooler than that in nearby Palm Springs. This is highly recommended golf experience. Players will find an extremely rolling terrain highlighted by numerous holes featuring significant elevation changes from tee to green, that create an outstanding variety of shot selections. The photo below from the elevated tee box of the beautiful par three 3rd provides an indication of the topography.
The layout begins innocently enough along a fairly level terrain on the opening holes, but takes a wild and wooly turn over the remainder of the front side with shots over deep ravines and from raised tees and greens that are well protected by numerous sand bunkers. The tee areas are often surrounded by thick, knarly rough reminiscent of Scottish links layouts. The fescue rarely comes into play along the fairways or greenside however- only very badly struck sots will find these hazardous areas.
The back side continues with significant elevation changes, although the middle holes present a few level playing areas. Water figures prominently in the design off the beautiful par three 11th, which plays from an elevated tee to a green complex with a pond immediately right and a ominous bunker situated to the left. Seventeen also features a lake in play all along the right from tee to green. Many of the green complexes present swales, sand traps, mounding and collection areas that can make getting up and down a tricky proposition.
The slope ratings are formidable here, with the tips playing to a 138 from 7003 yards. Alternate sets measure 6372 yards/131 slope for men and 147 for women, 5860 yards/126 slope for men and 141 for women, and 5349 yards with a 128 slope for women playing from the forward sets. On property is a spacious grass range, 10,000 square feet of practice greens, and a clubhouse featuring locker rooms with showers, pro shop and full service restaurant/snack bar. Breakfast and lunch items are available 7 days a week. On course golfers will find the Kirby marking system in place (markers every 25 yards from 200-100 yards), sprinkler heads measured to the center of the green, and cart paths with color coded markings at 100, 150 and 200 yards. Color coded flags indicate front, middle and back hole locations. Great rates year round make this a highly recommended trip for golfers on a Palm springs golf vacation! For more info, visit our page for the course, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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