Posted on December 14, 2019December 12, 2019 by Vic Flores

GK Guru Round Up: Indian Wells Golf Resort CELEBRITY Indian Wells California

Indian Wells Golf Resort (Celebrity)

GK Guru Round Up and Golf Course Review

Reviewed by: UNCLEDDBOY23, Peoria, Arizona

Overall:

The Celebrity Course at Indian Wells Golf Resort is a stunning combination of beauty and strategy. Most of the holes are oriented east/west on the front nine and north/south on the back nine … this allows the golfer to take full advantage of the scenic views of the San Jacinto, Santa Rosa and San Bernardino mountain ranges. Finally, Eisenhower Mountain stands tall to the south of the resort. Clive Clark (the course architect) was able to craft a course that takes advantage of these views and added scenic water features and areas of wildflowers.

The Celebrity Course is one of two courses at the Indian Wells Golf Resort … with the Players Course being the other half of the 36 holes at the resort. The resort over-seeded the Celebrity Course wall to wall, while the Players Course was primarily over-seeded to represent a desert course. It is a nice contrast for the resort guest.

Was very fortunate to play with Brian, Nick and George on a beautiful morning in the Coachella Valley. Temperature was about 55 degrees and not a cloud in the sky for our 7:20 am tee time. The 4 of us had a lot of fun playing together and we enjoyed each others company.

Clubhouse:

This is the 5th time that I have played at Indian Wells Golf Resort and it is still one of my favorite clubhouses. Great idea by taking the coffee bar away and doing a food truck outside … it allows for a much quicker turn around for the back nine. The pro shop is huge, well stocked and is merchandised very well. All of the players assistants (inside and outside) were very friendly.

Course:

As always, the Celebrity Course was in great shape. The fairways were in very nice shape and the rough was about an inch deep and was very dense. The greens looked very fast and were in great shape, but they were definitely not as fast as they normally are. My only negative comment was the amount of pitch marks on the greens on the front nine … the back nine greens were in much better shape with regard to that. Very sad to see that the golfers in general can’t repair their ball marks. I was not in a bunker, but the sand looked very good.

Final Thoughts:

I want to thank John for a tremendous morning at the Celebrity Course. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of your efforts in working with these different courses so that we have the opportunity to play courses that so many people read about in all of the golf publications. You make it a reality for all of us in the GK community. Thank you again John!!

Posted on January 11, 2019January 6, 2019 by Vic Flores

WINNER Indian Wells Golf Resort #BestPlayingConditions 2018 – Palm Springs

Indian Wells Golf Resort Best Playing Conditions 2018 - Palm Springs Region

Congratulations to Indian Wells Golf Resort for Winner of 2018 Best Playing Conditions for the Palm Springs Area.

Congratulations to all the great golf courses out there that won Best Playing Conditions for their Region. Haven’t thought of playing there? Consider this a wake up call and give their golf course a try.

Indian Wells Golf Resort 2018 Winner Best Playing Conditions for Palm Springs Region

Greenskeeper.Org presents the winner for 2018 Best Playing Conditions in the Palm Springs Region to Indian Wells Golf Resort.

We’ve waited all year for the results, and the results are in. Greenskeeper.org proudly presents it’s Best Playing Conditions Awards for 2018.

Not to be confused with our other award “Worth the Green Fee,” “Best Playing Conditions” is awarded to golf courses open to the public listed on Greenskeeper.org that stand out above the rest with our site users. These golf courses distinguish themselves by providing consistent, exceptional playing conditions.

The job of the superintendent is the life blood of the golf course industry and most important contributing factor to enjoying a golf experience. A golf course is a living, breathing organism whose health is constantly in flux. It takes enormous dedication, resources and expertise by a superintendent and their staff to provide excellent turf conditions.

Greenskeeper.org’s registered trademark and creed, “Know Before You Go”®, centers on communicating these current playing conditions. The rating system used on Greenskeeper.org is in part created by superintendents. Greenskeeper.org views it’s Best Playing Conditions Awards as it’s highest honors.

Want to treat yourself to some choice conditions? Want and experience you can remember? Consider playing at one of these great golf courses in your area.

Click HERE for our previous article: “Best Playing Conditions for 2017.”

Indian Wells Golf Resort CELEBRITY

sd3bs
Posted: 09/10/18 6:01p
Member Since: Jul 21, 2005
From: Temecula, CA

Played here for the first time in a very well run tournament. The facility is top notch from the lot to the course. The staff does an excellent job and seems to enjoy doing it. The tee boxes were all very level with a couple being slightly thin and shaggy. The fairways are nearly perfect with total coverage tee to green. The rough was not too long on most holes – but long enough to keep shots in play and short enough to make good contact. The sand traps were well maintained and filled with plenty of quality sand. The greens were pretty large and in great condition with hardly a mark. The greens were holding shots pretty well and not as slow as other area courses I’ve played this time of year. The grounds crew does a wonderful job with this place. I’m looking forward to my next visit here and definitely recommend a round or two or three here!!

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Indian Wells Golf Resort (CELEBRITY) Indian Wells California Hole 18

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Indian Wells Golf Resort PLAYERS

sparky14
Posted: 09/18/18 6:19p
Member Since: Mar 26, 2003
From: San Clemente

Indian Wells is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Even with the surprise Verti-cut happening today, but fortunately I only had to play on 3 holes that way.

Staff is awesome – got me out 2 hours early as I was ahead of schedule. Went out as single, starter told me there were 3 foursomes ahead and that I should go to #4 or #5 to start. I went to #5 just ahead of the first foursome, and didn’t see another golfer.

Verti-cut is probably done now, so my conditions report is meaningless. Count on immaculate conditions after October maintenance.

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Indian Wells Golf Resort PLAYERS Indian Wells California - Hole 6 Fairway View — Indian Wells Golf Resort PLAYERS Indian Wells California – Hole 6 Fairway View

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Indian Wells Golf Resort (PLAYERS) Indian Wells, California. Hole 17 Green-side

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Posted on January 9, 2019January 6, 2019 by Vic Flores

WINNER Indian Wells Golf Resort #BestPlayingConditions 2018 – Southern California

Congratulations to Indian Wells Golf Resort Winner of 2018 Best Playing Conditions for Southern California.

Indian Wells Golf Resort 2018 Winner Best Playing Conditions for Southern California

Greenskeeper.Org presents the winner for 2018 Best Playing Conditions in Southern California to Indian Wells Golf Resort.

We’ve waited all year for the results, and the results are in. Greenskeeper.org proudly presents it’s Best Playing Conditions Awards for 2018.

Want to treat yourself to some choice conditions? Want and experience you can remember? Consider playing at one of these great golf courses in your area.

Click HERE for our previous article: “Best Playing Conditions for 2017.”

Indian Wells Golf Resort CELEBRITY

sd3bs
Posted: 09/10/18 6:01p
Member Since: Jul 21, 2005
From: Temecula, CA

Played here for the first time in a very well run tournament. The facility is top notch from the lot to the course. The staff does an excellent job and seems to enjoy doing it.

The tee boxes were all very level with a couple being slightly thin and shaggy. The fairways are nearly perfect with total coverage tee to green. The rough was not too long on most holes – but long enough to keep shots in play and short enough to make good contact. The sand traps were well maintained and filled with plenty of quality sand. The greens were pretty large and in great condition with hardly a mark. The greens were holding shots pretty well and not as slow as other area courses I’ve played this time of year. The grounds crew does a wonderful job with this place.

I’m looking forward to my next visit here and definitely recommend a round or two or three here!!

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Indian Wells Golf Resort (CELEBRITY) Indian Wells California - Hole 5 — Indian Wells Golf Resort (CELEBRITY) Indian Wells California – Hole 5

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Indian Wells Golf Resort PLAYERS

sparky14
Posted: 09/18/18 6:19p
Member Since: Mar 26, 2003
From: San Clemente

Indian Wells is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Even with the surprise Verti-cut happening today, but fortunately I only had to play on 3 holes that way.

Verti-cut is probably done now, so my conditions report is meaningless. Count on immaculate conditions after October maintenance.

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Indian Wells Golf Resort (PLAYERS) Indian Wells, California. Hole 14 Green-side looking out on Fairway of 14

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Indian Wells Golf Resort (PLAYERS) Indian Wells, California. Hole 9

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Posted on September 15, 2018September 11, 2018 by Vic Flores

Golf Course Review Indian Wells Golf Resort CELEBRITY Indian Wells California

Indian Wells Golf Resort (Celebrity)

Golf Course Review Indian Wells Golf Resort CELEBRITY Indian Wells, CA

ALERT: Overseeding
Will be overseeding 10/14 – 10/31, reopening 11/1 and likely cart path only until 12/10.
* Although Greenskeeper.org researches all alerts before posting, we ask that you please contact the golf course for confirmation.

Reviewed by: sd3bs, Temecula, CA

Posted on September 14, 2018September 11, 2018 by Vic Flores

GK Match Play and GK Guru Roundup – Indian Wells Golf Resort (PLAYERS) Indian Wells California

Indian Wells Golf Resort (Players)

Golf Course Review Indian Wells Golf Resort (PLAYERS) Indian Wells, CA

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

ALERT: Overseeding
Will be overseeding 9/27 – 10/10, reopening 10/11 and likely cart path only until 11/25.
* Although Greenskeeper.org researches all alerts before posting, we ask that you please contact the golf course for confirmation.

Played Sunday 9/9. I knew I needed to pick a place special for the GK Cup 12 semifinal so did not hesitate to contact Indian Wells Golf Resort. Always, I mean every time I have ever played here, on either golf course, the playing conditions and service have been outstanding. This time was no different.

It was a scorcher so teeing it up at 10:00am pretty much gave us the course to ourselves. We did finally see a group behind us on the back nine. Despite the heat, and the extreme heat the area has been getting this summer, Indian Wells Golf Resort Players Course was in fantastic summer shape. Greens, bermuda, rolling smooth, firm and moderate speed (certainly not slow as you might expect from bermuda greens this time of year). Fairways, bermuda, lush, perfect lies all day. Rough, bermuda, lush, full coverage, cut down to just 2 inches uniformly throughout the course. Tee boxes, bermuda, lush, level and cut just below fairway height. Bunker high quality sand, both greenside and fairways, firm and compacted at times, I sampled quite a bit of them, adjusted right away to the firmness and they played well for me.

We were playing a competitive round having to putt out and concentrate more so we finished in just around 4 ½ hours. Had it been a casual round, I think we could have finished in under 4 hours.

First time experience here, we warmed up on the small driving range in the wash below the bridge leading to the golf course first tee boxes. Sounds bad but actually was gorgeous. Level, perfect bermuda with a nice backdrop. Note, I’ve been in the wash quite a few times while playing the Celebrity Course hole 9 doing the hill climb out of it. LOL. Much better experience hitting range balls instead!

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Indian Wells Golf Resort PLAYERS Indian Wells California – Our GK Gurus Visit

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Indian Wells Golf Resort PLAYERS Course Indian Wells California Hole 3 Green-side

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One more note, they will be starting overseeding maintenance on 9/27 so expect the golf course get drier as they lead into it.

Super time as always with GKers!

Posted some photos so please check them out.

Posted on September 11, 2018September 11, 2018 by Vic Flores

GK Guru Visit & GK Match Play: Indian Wells Golf Resort Indian Wells California

Indian Wells Golf Resort (Players)

GK Guru Visit & GK Match Play Roundup at Indian Wells Golf Resort PLAYERS Indian Wells, CA

Reviewed by: HmtGolfGuy, Hemet, CA

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Indian Wells Golf Resort PLAYERS Indian Wells California Hole 2 View from Tee — Indian Wells Golf Resort PLAYERS Indian Wells California – Hole 2 View from Tee

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Indian Wells Golf Resort PLAYERS Indian Wells California - Hole 11 Fairway View — Indian Wells Golf Resort PLAYERS Indian Wells California – Hole 11 Fairway View

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Played 9/9 with Johnny, Matt and Robert for the GK semifinals. Conditions for this time of year with the heat we’ve had were excellent. Customer service was the usual – meaning it was outstanding! Helpful and encouraging without ever being “pushy”, this place should host clinics on how to take care of golfers.

As noted by previous reviewers, almost everything is in great shape and well maintained, with one exception – the bunkers (I was in enough to know!). Thin layer of soft/dry sand but underneath it was damp and VERY firm, making a normal “blast” shot almost impossible. Only two options: 1) “muscle up” and take way more sand than you want just to insure you get out on your first shot, or 2) try and nip it off the sand with a lob wedge taking as little sand as possible. Sand quality itself is good, they just need one deep dig/rake and they’d be fine.

Additional Thoughts

To me, the best way to describe the difference between the Celebrity and Player courses is this: If I was picking a course to play 3 or more days per week for pure enjoyment it’s Celebrity hands down. Still a solid challenge, it’s more visually pleasing and seems to have a more relaxed vibe. If I want to check the state of my game, I’m hitting up Players.

Big shout out to Johnny for getting this set up, other than the heat it was a great day. Get out here soon though, maintenance is starting on the 27th.

Definitely recommended (at least if it’s below 105 degrees or so!)

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Indian Wells Golf Resort PLAYERS Indian Wells California - Hole 7 Fairway View — Indian Wells Golf Resort PLAYERS Indian Wells California – Hole 7 Fairway View

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Posted on January 17, 2018November 16, 2019 by Vic Flores

Indian Wells Golf Resort Awarded Best Playing Conditions 2017 Palm Springs Region

Best Playing Conditions 2017 Indian Wells Golf Resort - Palm Springs Region

Greenskeeper.Org Awards Indian Wells Golf Resort- Palm Springs Region’s Best Playing Conditions 2017

Congratulations to Indian Wells Golf Resort for winning Best Playing Conditions 2017 for Palm Springs Region.

Not to be confused with “Worth the Green Fee,” “Best Playing Conditions” is awarded to golf courses open to the public listed on Greenskeeper.org that stand out above the rest with our site users at providing consistently the best greens, fairways, rough, tee boxes and bunkers around.

The job of the superintendent is the life blood of the golf course industry and most important contributing factor to enjoying a golf experience. It takes enormous dedication, resources and expertise by a superintendent and their staff to provide excellent turf conditions. A golf course is a living, breathing organism whose health is constantly in flux. Greenskeeper.org’s trademark and creed, “Know Before You Go”®, centers on communicating these current playing conditions. The rating system used on Greenskeeper.org is in part created by superintendents.

How Awards Winners Are Determined

Golf Course reviews and ratings submitted by our 70,000+ Greenskeeper.org community are tabulated over 12 months. Winners are determined for each area.

We divide awards into 11 sections — Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Palm Springs Area, San Diego County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Southern California, Central California, Northern California and Southern Nevada.

Greenskeeper.Org Awarded For the Good of the Game Award 2017 by the CGCOA

Editor’s Note: Johnny GK and Greenskeeper.Org has been recognized by the California Golf Course Owners Association as Good for the Game of Golf in 2017. Shows you that both golfers and golf course operators understand the benefit of working with Greenskeeper.Org. We are the RESOURCE where avid and casual golfers come to make their decision where to play their next round. “Know Before You Go”® with Greenskeeper.Org. You’ll be glad you did.

#Recent Golf Course Review

Celebrity Course

Alex326
Posted: 11/24/17 7:25p
Member Since: Nov 20, 2015
From: Monterey, Ca

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Indian Wells Celebrity course is absolutely breathtaking. Numerous flowers around the entire course including humongous flowerbeds at the corner of dog leg bends to help mark the fairway. Several water features (ponds, creeks, & waterfalls ) highlight the beauty of this course. Conditions are excellent tee to green. I will say the greens (which have much more undulations than the players course) were rolling slow today. I think the mower took the holiday off.

The only downside of this track is that it only has two par 3’s and two par 5’s on the entire layout. Other than that it has everything you want.

Players Course

Alex326
Posted: 11/21/17 7:05p
Member Since: Nov 20, 2015
From: Monterey, Ca

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Indian Wells Golf Resort (PLAYERS) Indian Wells, California. Hole 11

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Indian Wells is always a go to resort for the wife and I. Celebrity is the prettier of the two but both courses are excellent. As others mentioned this is a resort course so the greens are very manageable. They roll true at a decent pace with some subtle breaks. Basically they are fairly flat but are soft and hold approach shots well.

Bunkers offer superb sand and yes the fairway bunkers with their rather steep faces offer the majority of challenge off the tee. Fairways are spacious otherwise. The course features water hazards on about 5-6 holes which I always enjoy as they add to the challange and beauty of the course.

Carts have GPS and will let you know how you’re doing on pace of play which will always be around 4 1/2 hrs.

Customer service is great, however the quality of the food at the restaurant has gone down hill from previous visits.

Oh, the selection of clothes in the pros shop is Outstanding !!!

Best Playing Conditions 2017

Click HERE for our cornerstone article presenting Awards to the Best Playing Conditions 2017.

Posted on January 11, 2018November 16, 2019 by Vic Flores

BREAKING: Greenskeeper.Org Awards Top Golf Courses Best Playing Conditions 2017

Greenskeeper.Org Awards Top Golf Courses Best Playing Conditions 2017

Greenskeeper.org proudly presents it’s Best Playing Conditions Awards for 2017.

How Awards Winners Are Determined

Golf Course reviews and ratings submitted by our 70,000+ Greenskeeper.org community are tabulated over 12 months. Winners are determined for each area.

We provide the list below in no particular order. This is done on purpose. Any golf course that provides outstanding conditions in their region should not overshadow other golf courses simply because of their location. For most avid golfers, the playing experience is what matters. Knowing where to play in your area is important.