Off the Fringe, “Golf’s best short read.” The award winning newsletter, sent twice monthly, that provides an unconventional perspective on the golf world.
Ritch Colbert
Palm Springs
2010-09-25
Member (cart included), played on Saturday, March 2010 at 8am
O'Donnell is the oldest golf course in the entire Coachella Valley, built in 1927, and the only course situated in downtown Palm Springs. What makes this a very special course is the limited play it draws from a fairly small, seasonal membership. In other words, you can breeze through 18 holes in less than 3 hours. Yes, it's only 9 holes, but a challenging 18 hole game can be had by playing the back 9 from not only different tees but, in same cases, a variety of different tee boxes. All together, an 18 hole round will include 4 Par 5's, 2 long Par 3's, four 130 yard Par 3's and a nice variety of 4 pars. Greens are very small and, in the words of Ben Hogan who played here, "there is a premium for accuracy". Yes, it's private, but guests of the Hyatt nearby and the occasional walk-in are welcome. Guest rates are pretty modest given the overall great experience of playing here.
Would travel: 20-30 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Better than average course for the area, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
Condition of Course, Layout, Ambiance, No Houses on Course, Pace of Play, Staff
Member (cart included), played on Saturday, March 2010 at 8am
O'Donnell is the oldest golf course in the entire Coachella Valley, built in 1927, and the only course situated in downtown Palm Springs. What makes this a very special course is the limited play it draws from a fairly small, seasonal membership. In other words, you can breeze through 18 holes in less than 3 hours. Yes, it's only 9 holes, but a challenging 18 hole game can be had by playing the back 9 from not only different tees but, in same cases, a variety of different tee boxes. All together, an 18 hole round will include 4 Par 5's, 2 long Par 3's, four 130 yard Par 3's and a nice variety of 4 pars. Greens are very small and, in the words of Ben Hogan who played here, "there is a premium for accuracy". Yes, it's private, but guests of the Hyatt nearby and the occasional walk-in are welcome. Guest rates are pretty modest given the overall great experience of playing here.