This weekend, I spent both days out in the Las Vegas area, enjoying plenty of good golf, gambling and a severe lack of sleep. In the process, I played two Jack Nickaus-designed courses. That’s fitting because I’ve been on an unintentional Golden Bear kick lately with a number of recent rounds at SoCal Nicklaus tracks.... Continue Reading →
Dealing in the Desert
Saturday found a friend and I heading out to one of my favorite places, the Coachella Valley. We were drawn out there by a fantastic deal on one of the region’s best courses, so it was well worth the trek. We booked an 11:06 tee time at the PGA West Nicklaus course, which left us... Continue Reading →
Being the Nomad isn’t Always Easy Work
I gave myself the name of “Golf Nomad,” but I’d like to think I’ve earned that monicker over the years. In case anyone was in doubt, Saturday’s drive through some remote parts of the desert should help further my case. I got started with a little military-themed golf… Desert Winds Golf Course • MCAGCC Twentynine... Continue Reading →
Course Review(s): Indian Wells Country Club
Friday found me out in the desert yet again. With a Greenskeeper.org event at Desert Willow set for Saturday afternoon, I wanted to make the most of the trip. A friend and I met up for two rounds at Indian Wells Country Club. Normally, these courses are private, but I learned they do offer some... Continue Reading →
Contrasting Styles in the Desert
As summer approaches, it’s time for me to start visiting the desert more frequently in search of great deals, quick rounds and new courses. There are so many “private” courses out there I haven’t played yet, I intend to start calling around and seeing if I can get on any during the off-season. I’m sure... Continue Reading →
Course Review: Antelope Valley Country Club
I had a half-day off from work on Friday, so I made the long drive up to the high desert in Palmdale to play Antelope Valley Country Club with a group of friends. A little while back, we had all bought “member for a day” vouchers through MoreGolfToday.com. The deal was a reasonable $45 and... Continue Reading →
A Windy Day in the Desert
It was an interesting day in the desert. The wind was whipping, the dust was flying and I experienced two very different levels of challenge on two very different courses. The main event was a visit to the notorious TPC Stadium course at PGA West, but of course I had to get a morning warm-up... Continue Reading →
A Taste of the Desert’s “Private” Life
With over 100 courses packed into a relatively small area, the Coachella Valley is an excessive celebration of high-end golf. Roughly half the courses out there are considered “private,” so looking for opportunities to play some of them will be a big carrot for me to try and chase over the coming years. I’ll probably... Continue Reading →
Tri-State Trip, Day 2: On the Arizona Side of the River
Day two of my trip (Sunday) actually found me playing three rounds on the Arizona side of the state line, but I will cover two of them here. The tricky part about life in Laughlin/Bullhead City right now is that Arizona is an hour ahead of Nevada and California. They don’t follow daylight savings, so... Continue Reading →
Back in the Desert (Again!)
The Coachella Valley just can’t keep me away. As my SoCal public, regulation-18 course checklist dwindles down to the final few, I can smell the finish line. I will be pushing hard and fast over the next few weeks to complete this task. After taking care of both Tahquitz Creek courses last weekend, I was... Continue Reading →
Bogeys Across America 