Palm Springs Golf Course Reviews
Rancho Las Palmas (West – North) Golf Course Review
Rancho Mirage, CA
68.3 rating; 118 slope |
Rancho Las Palmas Overview: The typical older desert golf course
built around a resort, this one features three nines. The West – North combination features two
distinct feels, both within each nine.
Roughly half of the golf holes are built around the wide grassy wash that
runs through most of Rancho Mirage.
Miraculously, the holes on the West nine utilize this very well, while
the holes on the North nine do not. The
remaining holes weave between condos, an absurd amount of Palm trees and the
Marriott resort. The best holes are reviewed below:
Rancho Las Palmas Hole 2 (W): This devastatingly hard hole is 235 yards. There is only a bunker to the left of the green, but a steep hillside up to the right, covered by thick rough is no bailout option. The sheer length of this par three makes it a real challenge. (not pictured)
Rancho Las Palmas Hole 3 (W): This brutal hole, following number 2 makes the golfer wonder how this is a 118 slope course. At 645 yards, three good shots are required to hit the elevated green. Any approach shot not on target will find one of two deep bunkers or go careening down the steep hillsides in back of the green or to its left. Right flirts with cart path and OB, so accuracy is a must. (not pictured)
Rancho Las Palmas Hole 5 (W): This very short par four has a lot of water to be found. Of course, two short irons will be enough to get on the green, so avoiding the water is do-able. For the gutsy player trying to go for the green, the added fear of having the resort pool in reach of any shot pulled too far left adds a little bit to the nerves.
Rancho Las Palmas Hole 2 (W): This devastatingly hard hole is 235 yards. There is only a bunker to the left of the green, but a steep hillside up to the right, covered by thick rough is no bailout option. The sheer length of this par three makes it a real challenge. (not pictured)
Rancho Las Palmas Hole 3 (W): This brutal hole, following number 2 makes the golfer wonder how this is a 118 slope course. At 645 yards, three good shots are required to hit the elevated green. Any approach shot not on target will find one of two deep bunkers or go careening down the steep hillsides in back of the green or to its left. Right flirts with cart path and OB, so accuracy is a must. (not pictured)
Rancho Las Palmas Hole 5 (W): This very short par four has a lot of water to be found. Of course, two short irons will be enough to get on the green, so avoiding the water is do-able. For the gutsy player trying to go for the green, the added fear of having the resort pool in reach of any shot pulled too far left adds a little bit to the nerves.
Rancho Las Palmas Hole 9 (W): The hardest par four on the course is a dogleg right with a fairly simple drive. However, the approach is slightly uphill to a green elevated above a water hazard short and right. Anything too far left, however, will find bushes, so the approach shot must be perfect. (not pictured)
Rancho Las Palmas Hole 1 (N): This par five starts on one side of the large grass filled gully and ends up on the other side. In between, is a strangely angled hole where distance definition is almost impossible. Not necessarily a good hole, but this one is unique. (not pictured)
Rancho Las Palmas Hole 3 (N) - (right): This short par four has an easy drive, but the intriguing approach must avoid the water short and several angled Palm trees waiting to knock down the shot.
Rancho Las Palmas Hole 1 (N): This par five starts on one side of the large grass filled gully and ends up on the other side. In between, is a strangely angled hole where distance definition is almost impossible. Not necessarily a good hole, but this one is unique. (not pictured)
Rancho Las Palmas Hole 3 (N) - (right): This short par four has an easy drive, but the intriguing approach must avoid the water short and several angled Palm trees waiting to knock down the shot.