Desert Willow Golf Resort – A two course public gem in Palm Desert

Desert Willow Golf Resort is a high end public facility that is far more than its two spectacular Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry designed championship golf courses, Firecliff and Mountain View. It is located just minutes from the Palm Springs airport in the city of Palm Desert.

In addition to the two marvelous golf courses Desert Willow's stylish clubhouse, well stocked pro shop and meeting/event areas are what you might expect at a private club. And then there is my favorite...the expansive multi-tiered outdoor patio that overlooks Firecliff’s 9^th and 18^th holes. It is one of the best outdoor spots for food and drinks of any course I have seen. This beautiful outdoor venue is where they hold the popular Music and Dining Under the Stars events.

Beautiful Par 3 17th hole Desert Willows Firecliff course

Golf

The two courses at Desert Willow are as good a duo as any 36 hole public venue I have played. It all starts with a beautiful driving range and practice putting green that in winter look out at the incredible snow capped peaks looming just to the west of town. These spectacular mountain vistas are a constant backdrop to your round of golf on either course. I must say there are few places I have been where palm trees and snow capped peaks can be mentioned in the same breath. Amazing!! This also might be one of the most natural looking and beautifully landscaped golf venues I have played.

The Firecliff Course – Without doubt his is one of the prettiest and most interesting courses I have played in all of greater Palm Springs. There is a wonderful mix of short and long holes along with numerous bunkers and water features to keep your attention. Stretching from 5,000 yards all the way out to 7,000 yards and a slope of 138 this is a true test of golf. Played from the correct tees for your ability it is both fair off the tee yet challenging. Strategically placed traps, water hazards and sloping greens will keep you on your toes and demand the use of every club in your bag and all your imagination.

Firecliff #6 from behind the green. Short, tough and beautiful

While there are truly a dozen or more really great holes, here are three of my favorites. The 6^th hole is a short dogleg right Par 4. The entire right side is guarded by water and the putting surface is but a peninsula of green angling out into the lake surrounded on three sides by liquid danger. A truly great short hole.

While all the Par 3’s here are challenging and beautiful the 17^th might be my favorite. This mid length tester has a desert waste area and water running nearly from tee to green on the right side. A sand trap guards the left side leaving little room to bail out. Behind the green is a stand of tall shaggy palms that that have to be seen to be believed. This is simply a gorgeous hole.

A Great finishing hole Firecliff Par 5 18th

Firecliff’s 18th hole has to be one of the best, most challenging and prettiest finishing holes you could ever hope to play. My friends and I have dubbed this Par 5 “Gilligan’s Island”. From the tee there seems to be nothing but tall shaggy palms as far as you can see. It is a visually intimidating tee shot going slightly downhill to what actually is a decent width fairway. Your second shot must navigate a small stream that crosses the fairway from left to right where it empties into a lake that guards the right side of this green. This hole demands three exacting shots if you want to make par. Did I forget to mention the extra pressure of finishing directly below the multi tiered patio? It is often filled with fellow golfers watching to see how you do. This is simply an amazing end to eighteen outstanding holes of golf.

The Mountain View Course - While I have not yet played the Mountain View track those who have say it is a gem in its own right. While designed to be a bit more forgiving than Firecliff it none the less can stretch to 6913 yards from the tips with a slope of 130. From the tee you should find it more forgiving but then again there is also more water.

What it does share with Firecliff is the same amazing conditions, excellent design features and jaw dropping scenery. The only way to fully appreciate all that Desert Willow has to offer in the way of golf is to play both courses and judge for yourself. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Desert Willow truly has earned all the accolades and rave reviews you might have read or heard about. This is without question one of my favorite places to golf in the entire valley.

Summary

Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert is one of the top public golf and event venues in the valley. Their two championship quality golf courses are beautiful, challenging and exhilarating. The stylish clubhouse has a large and well stocked pro shop. In addition, there are indoor and outdoor dining facilities highlighted by one of the best outdoor patios anywhere. It is used for their popular dining and music under the stars events, which I have attended and highly recommend. Finally, there are event spaces perfect for corporate outings and private parties of all sizes. All in all this is a Do Not Miss location if you are in Palm Springs!

The New and Improved Boulders Resort and Spa – better and bolder than ever

The Boulders Resort and Spa is a resort experience unlike almost any other in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Or anywhere in the Southwest for that matter. With two Jay Morrish designed championship golf courses and its incredible Carefree, Arizona location it cannot be beat. Add in a multi-million dollar makeover (more about this later) and you have an experience of a lifetime.

Overview
The Boulders Resort and Spa is celebrating its 30th anniversary and has been recognized for three decades as a world class destination with impeccable service, a wonderful spa, championship golf plus excellent dining, lodging and tennis (and so much more). With over 1300 acres of Sonoran Desert foothills just 30 miles north of the Phoenix airport, the resort has more the feel of a small village than a hotel property.

The Boulders Resort and Spa

The resort’s newly remodeled main lodge, 33,000 square foot spa (that is not a typo) and golf clubhouse complex are separated by a short walk or complimentary golf cart ride from each other. The 160 totally redone casitas and an additional 60 villas are sprinkled around the main facilities each with impressive views of the iconic boulders mounts, desert or golf courses. Add in multiple dining options, three pools, hiking paths, free fitness classes and a myriad of other activities and you will understand when I say this somewhere you will want to return to again and again!

Golf
For decades the Boulders Jay Morrish designed North and South courses have been rated as two of the finest in the country. This scenic high desert terrain is made for golf. Paired with the stunning boulder formations that define the property this is an unparalleled golf experience. Under the leadership of Tom McCahan (Director of Club Operations) and his 24 year tenure the Boulders (www.theboulders.com) remains a mecca for golf. The two courses are shared by club members and resort guests. Play is alternated between the two courses. Guests play the North one day and the South the next. The courses also share a very nice pro shop, clubhouse, grill and an excellent driving range and short game practice area.

Some say choosing between the South and North layouts is like opting between the lobster or the filet. Both are sumptuous yet each has its own flavor and allure. I suggest the Surf and Turf…play them both! While different in taste and feel, these two layouts share tremendous visual interest, outstanding conditions and pure fun.
What I can say about the South course is this: It is beautiful! The course winds its way around the incredible boulder mount and through other smaller, but no less impressive, rock formations on a rollicking and picturesque journey unlike any course in the area. There are few forced carries, a great variety of hole designs, limited amounts of target style golf and amazing visual interest.

Signature Hole #5 on the South course

The South starts innocently enough with a slight downhill dogleg right with a landing area that narrows the further you dare hit it. Safely negotiating the tee shot leaves an approach to the first of many greens and tees guarded by the ever present rocks. The South ends with a beautiful yet dangerous Par 5 whose green sits protected behind a pond. In between are sixteen unique holes capped by the resorts signature hole…the Par 5 fifth. A split fairway off the tee is only the beginning of this amazing hole as it gently climbs toward the green. Looming in the distance is the 12 million year old boulder formation from which the resort gets its name. And tucked right up against this strange and indescribable structure of granite lies the fifth green. Awe inspiring. Incredible. Photo mandatory.

The North course is every bit the challenge of the South. While a bit wider off the tees and not quite as close to some of the boulder formations it is a true test of golf for players of every ability. It starts with a very pretty yet challenging Par 5 that requires three well placed shots to reach the green. A small wash separates your first two shots and your approach must navigate a well protected green. From here you will find an array of long and short holes that climb, fall, dogleg both left and right and challenge every club in the bag including your putter.

With incredible open views of the surrounding “mountains” it is hard to concentrate on the task at hand. One of my favorite holes is the Par 3 sixth. While not particularly long it is exceptionally pretty with seemingly every kind of native cactus, tree and bush lining the hole. Get your camera! Much like the finishing hole on the South course the eighteenth on the North is a dramatic finish right below the clubhouse patio. This swooping dog leg right Par 4 is guarded to the left of the green by both water and sand. Par here is an excellent score and just steps from a rewarding refreshment while you tally your score.

Resort Renovations
Over the summer of 2015 all of the casitas and the entire main lodge have been totally redone. The casitas were stripped to the studs with only the wooden beams in the ceiling spared. These large new rooms feature high ceilings, a patio or deck, a mini wet bar, wood burning fireplace, small walk-in closet and stone floors throughout. The luxurious bathrooms have double sinks, glass enclosed showers with floor to ceiling river rock walls as well as a separate tub. To say these casitas are nice is a vast understatement.

Newly renovated Casita

The main lodge building has undergone an equally dramatic transformation including an all new lobby and reception area. The old Latilla restaurant is now the Latilla Ballroom. The Palo Verde dining room has been renovated as has the main pool area. Perhaps the most dramatic change is to the Discovery Lounge. It now is much larger and features soaring floor to ceiling and wall to wall windows that frame the view of the iconic boulder mount. Those who have been here will not recognize the place.

The Spa, dining and more
The spa at the Boulders is one of the largest and nicest I have seen. It is situated a short walk from the casitas and the main lodge and also has the boulder mount at its’ backdoor. Guests of the resort have full use of the spa facilities at no extra cost and I used them at least once a day.
The spa encompasses three main areas: an active wing, a quiet wing and the outdoor spaces. It has everything you might need to relax, exercise and sooth your mind, body and soul. The active side features a yoga studio, fitness center, Spa Café, movement studio and more. A myriad of free classes are held here every day and include yoga, spinning, stretch, Zumba and water fitness to name a few.

The quiet side of the building houses separate but equal Men’s and Women’s lounges, a quiet room, 24 treatment rooms and a full salon. The lounges deserve special mention as each has a large spherical warm soaking bath, a fully tiled circular steam room (with a cool shower right in the room), sauna, showers and lockers. They are fully stocked with bath products, plush towels and everything else one needs to clean up after a day of relaxation or exercise.

The outdoor space is perfectly nestled between the spa building and boulder mount. The large adults only pool and hot tub offer both a soothing retreat and amazing scenery. Adjoining the pool area is an herb garden, a meditational labyrinth and quiet patios for your relaxation. The Zen like feel and feng shui elements of this entire setting induce a sense of peace and tranquility rarely found at most resorts.

Dining at the Boulders features a number of varied and distinct options. There is the newly remodeled Palo Verde restaurant in the main lodge, the Spa Café, the Grill Kitchen and Bar at the golf clubhouse, the Spotted Donkey Cantina at the adjacent Pedregal shopping area as well as the pool pavilion and of course room service.

Summary
The Boulders Resort and Spa has been ranked one of the best golf resorts in the U.S. since its inception 30 years ago. With the recent renovations it is bound to stay that way for the next thirty years. The outstanding location, incredible scenery, championship golf, wonderful lodging, exemplary service and amazing spa make this a must visit place for anyone with room on their bucket list. I know I will be going back soon!!

Top 5 Longest Drivers On The Market

Today, there is a lot of debate and discussion on what the top longest drivers on the market are. As a matter of fact, each person has their own opinion regarding this based on what kind of hitting drivers they are using when they play golf with their friends or family. And most major manufaturers and even retailers claim that what they have in their store is the longest driver on the market and those are usually the most sellable brand items to them.

When we are to determine what the top five (5) longest drivers on the market are, we are going to seperate those in the price range of over $350 and under $350, based on some surveys by well known major manufacturers of golf drivers on the market.

On top of the list which rate over $350 is the Callaway FT- 9 that ranks as the highest of all golf drivers that combine versatility, distance and control in one driver. Unlike other drivers, this kind of gold driver sounds great. Nike SQ Dymo and Dymo2 Str8- Fit are revolutionary drivers that everyone is raving about since they offer eight (8) different clubhead positions that a player can adjust depending on the swing he or she wants to target. Among the best golf drivers that are under $350 is the Adams Speedline. Consistently this is rated as the number 1 top golf driver since it represents a new technological shift in driver design. The club head is crafted mainly to increase speed and distance. Next in the list is the Callaway Big Bertha Diablo, which is one of the longest and straightest drivers that anyone can purchase but has one major setback as considered by some to be big and ugly. Cleveland Hibore Monster XLS is big and aggressive. It is not a subtle driver and the loud noise off the tee sounds like a cannon has just been fired. The Cleveland Hibore Monster XLS also has one of the highest MOI available.

Whatever kind of driver you have and want to purchase you should determine the type by its design and most of all the consistency and distance it offers when YOU use the driver yourself.

Spy Chick Of The Month – April

We have been falling behind on our Spy Chick Of The Month updates, so here's a good one that should hold you over for a while. You may recoginize her from the tire comercial where a car comes to a road block, and a group of thugs yell at the driver over a megaphone "give us your tires, or your life." The driver then throws this chick(Bar Refaeli) out of the car and drives away, assuming that the gang was asking for his tires or his "wife." Needless to say, if you like tires that much, your odd.

Image Via [sportscracklepop.com]

Top 5 MOI Putters That Make It Easy To Make Short Putts

When it comes to golf clubs, most people will be more familiar with the putters even if they only have a slight interest in this game. Nearly everyone understands the part that a putter will play on the course, yet only the golfers truly appreciates this fantastic tool. Even though all the clubs require careful detail, the putter generally needs a level of finesse that is similar to a brain surgeon, which is the reason why it's important to select the right club from the start. The following will highlight the Top 5 MOI Putters That Make It Easy for Short Putts.

Considering the basic function of a putter, inexperienced golfers might be surprised at the wide range of available styles. These dissimilarities are more than trivial, so casual and amateur players must not assume that one will be as good as the other.

Here are the five clubs that will help you to get that vial putt without spending a fortune:

Black Velvet Model 110: This is a traditional putter with a recognizable club head that is ideal for golfers who like the elegant style of the traditional clubs. With the amount of oddly designed putters available nowadays, even the most youthful aspiring golfers might like the simple design of this putter. Stylish and effective, the mallet style head comes with a polymer insert that is machine made.

Big Mo High MOI: This is the most non-traditional looking putter in this line-up, but casual and amateurs players must not disregard the design as gimmickry. This has a square, large mallet style head that will enable impressive robust putts. Just as the name suggests, golfers who need a forceful putt can benefit from this tool.

LH Zinc: If you are looking for putter with a blade style head, then this one will offer good value. Of course, the zinc might be as basic as it can get, but you should not be fooled into disregarding this putter for a extra mini golf club. This will be ideal choice for beginners because of the head with genuine copper insert that is soft and covered with polymer.

Lynx HE 2: Similar to the Big Mo, this is a heavy putter having a large club head made for high MOI putts. This putter has a large grip and significant weight distribution, catering to a very unique kind of player who wants mallet putters with plenty of heft. Whilst it might not be the ideal putter for all golfers the top quality structure makes it a good option.

Nextt Pro Score Copper Blade: This will be the ideal choice for players who have a preference for blade style heads instead of mallets. Besides its glossy black color and striking copper finish, it is specifically made for optimum accuracy and alignment. When it comes to the very important process of correctly aligning putts, casual and amateur golfers will not be sorry for selecting this club.

Top 3 Game Improvement Irons

A golf iron is designed specially to be used when striking the ball. Generally, these are available in three forms which include putters, irons and woods, notable by design and intended use.

The putter club has a loft which does not exceed ten degrees and is designed mainly to use when putting on the green. Golf irons should not be essentially different from the usual and traditional make and form. The club should be made from a head and shaft, plus it might also have additional materials on the shaft to help players get a stronger hold. All the parts of the club should be solid to give one unit without external supplements. Some exceptions might be made for contraptions that will not change the function of the club.

Some Benefits of the Top 3 Game Improvement Irons

Adams Idea a2 OS irons are a great game improvement set. These are very easy to hit and can be found for reasonable prices. This set will be perfect for players with mid-to-high handicap who want to enjoy the game. The clubs in this set come with a large spot that will strike the ball high. Most people really love the idea of using a steel shaft in shorter irons with graphite within the hybrids. In general, this can help players to have much better control using their scoring clubs and much better distance with the longer clubs. Based on the promotions, it will pretty easy changeover from one club to the next and gapping will be consistent throughout the set.

Callaway Big Bertha Fusion irons have a traditional look with a lot of non-traditional technology. These have a good appearance and can provide the benefits of using an oversized iron for game improvement. They were made to maintain a conventional look, but behind this familiar appearance is a variety of unfamiliar technology. Basically, the idea was to combine these aspirations into a single club. The Big Berth Fusion is among the top three game improvement irons presently on the market, plus it’s the ideal Callaway set for the advanced handicapper.

Ping G5 irons are made for optimum performance, assisting to enhance ground impact to strike the ball better. Improved weighting tends to make this iron set very flexible. These irons come with club heads with traditional look along with dull-grey finishing and light-weight steel or the graphite shafts, to suit a player’s preference. The clubs include perimeter-weighted heads in order to retain distance control no matter where you strike the ball. These irons can be found with many different lie angles (shown by several colored dots on the clubs), allowing players to modify the clubs to make a swing. There is also a unique weighting technology that will increase the moment of inertia, resulting in an improvement for an average distance shot.

Top 10 Easiest Drivers to Hit Straight

When it comes to the top 10 easiest drivers to hit straight, golf enthusiasts vary on which of these drivers were the most outstanding. Golfers value drivers which are versatile and have optimal distance and control. Golfers insist on having the straightest drivers available and club heads which are aerodynamic to increase the speed and distance of the ball.

One of the most valued gold club drivers in the top 10 easiest drivers to hit straight was the Callaway FT-9.  The Callaway FT-9 is said to be a forgiving driver which gives the golfer a combination of versatility, control and distance.

Another driver that helps hit straight is the Adams Speed driver.  Adams Speed Drivers are valued for their innovative driver design and aerodynamics.

Golfers looking for a quality hybrid driver may be looking for a consistent handicap hitting like the Cleveland HALO and the Cleveland Launcher drivers. The Cleveland HALO may not be as valued in the top 10 easiest drivers to hit straight list with its shaft, it is valued for its ability to clearly outdistance most driver hybrids with consistency. The Cleveland Launcher is valued for its thin crown and horseshoe-shape which allows the golfer to maintain low weight in the club head for distance and stability.

The Cobra S9-1 scores on overall consistency with distance and accuracy. Golfers also appreciated the drivers which are versatile in their adjustability like in the Cobra L5V. The setting in the Cobra L5V include straight or draw and is said to be an excellent driver in hitting. Another Cobra noted for its driving consistency is the Cobra DWS driver. Although the Cobra DWS driver is said to be lacking in weight, it launches the ball a good bit of distance and height.

Additional hybrid drivers in the top 10 easiest drivers to hit straight are the Nike SQ Series of drivers. These drivers are said to be equivalent to putters in the way they have to personally fit the golfer’s swing, and many of the Nike SQ Series fit the bill. Nike SQ Series has become favorites with amateurs and with the pros for their adjustability, square clubheads and low profiles.

Golfers who have a minimum handicap may like the sleekness and performance of the Nike Slingshot 17. It is said to be easy to hit from the rough and fairway and when it comes to hitting off the tee. The Nike SQ Str8-FIT is said to be one of the best adjustable-head drivers designed by Nike as of yet.

Also making the list of the top 10 easiest drivers to hit straight is the Ping G10. The PingG10 is said to be an outstanding solid performing driver which has an excellent range of the ball on the freeway. Even if it is the last driver on of the top 10 easiest drivers to hit straight it still has the ability to combine speed and power for a high launching ball.

Top 5 Most Expensive Putters

One of the top 5 most expensive putters is the GoldenPutter which was just released from Barth & Sons. The GoldenPutter is dubbed as the First Special Lady Edition and all but encrusted with beautiful crystals. Functional and exclusive in design, the GoldenPutter is custom made and has a 24ct hard gold-plated shaft and a rich leather grip. As one of the top 5 most expensive putters it is available in a variety of crystal hues and leather wrapped cherry wood.

The head of the GoldenPutter sports crystal inlays and come in at the price of $3,900 which indeed makes it one of the top 5 most expensive putters around on the market today. The GoldenPutter comes with a certificate of genuineness. The GoldenPutter can also be custom crafted in all its technical precision in gems and diamonds, which significantly raises the price of this putter and qualifies it a spot in the top 5 most expensive putters available on the market today.

As part of the top 5 most expensive putters on the market today the Scotty Cameron putters can come in for over $1500 for a Titleist. The average cost of a Titleist Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport putter will run around $300. The Scotty Cameron by Titleist Studio Select has putters around $300 and above like the Coronado PutterA with a double-step flange and a flow neck. The Studio Select Series also sports their 303 stainless steel putters with bold red tour graphics.

The Five Stars golf putters, designed by Honma are Japanese custom clubs and ease into the top spot of being the most expensive customized putter. These putters come in at the cost of $32,000 for the full set of fourteen Five Star clubs. The mass marketed Honma Beres TW914 Fairway Wood 5W Stiff ArmrQ UD62 comes in at a more reasonable price at around $630 for the 18 grams of tungsten nickel weighted putter. A definite heavy-weight price in the category of the top 5 most expensive putters, the Hohma Series gives some serious thought into quality and durability with their line of putters.

Another very pricy putter in the top 5 most expensive putters is a jewel of a putter from the Odyssey line. The Odyssey diamond-encrusted putter is a shoe-in for being one of the top 5 most expensive putters on the market today. The 18-carat white gold head sports a stunning two-hundred rubies and three hundred and seventy-eight diamonds at a price of $161,000.

Although it is aimed at collectors, the Odyssey putter is showboat when it comes to expensive putters. The average cost of a mass marketed Odyssey putter is in the price range of $350 like the Odyssey Ti-Hot #2 putter for a right hander. It is a limited edition putter with only twelve-hundred and fifty putters made. Constructed out of pure titanium, this putter is 34 inches and may well be worth it as a high-end putter on the greens.

Not to be left out of the top 5 most expensive putters, is the Ping putters. Known globally for their quality performance for putters, drivers and irons, Ping putters are priced around $270 and well worth their prices. The Ping Redwood Series Putter D66 sports a black satin finished and is made from 303 stainless steel in a classic and classy putter priced just under $300.

How to Hit Your Driver Straighter

It is very important for a game when it comes to delivering a great driver shot right off from the start in golf. This means that having the ability to give a clean and straight driver hit below the middle of the fairway would give all the other golfers a hard time of beating you in the course of the game. If you do not know how to hit a straight driver, you are jeopardizing your chances of positioning well in your game. It is very important to know how to be consistently good with straight driver hits, and here is a simple tip on how to hit your driver straighter.

Usually when using a big club right off the bag, it is important not to think that hitting hard would land your shots where you want to. Being big, the club is heavy, and this would create extra momentum and force with the lightest swing, hitting the ball with high power. Many golfers have this mentally which is totally wrong, and they should not go hard using big clubs. It is best to learn how to control your swing when using a big club and that alone would make you see major improvements in your hits.

A lot of golfers usually do very well throughout a game, and somehow manages to lose it all when it comes to a time to deliver a good driver shot to pass down the fairway somewhere along the back nine.

First of all, what you need to do is practice on a light and easy swing, but it has to be fluid. In time you would get a hang on the flow of the light swing, and this would deliver a nice impact on the ball, which would reduce the side-spin which causes the ball to swerve. With just this simple one tip, you would see the difference in making your driver straighter.

How To Play More Consistant Golf

Just like any other game and sports, everybody wants to know how to play more consistent golf. Everyone wants to be more consistent and have a good dame from day to day, week to week, and this would result in improvement of techniques which would help you play a better game in the long run. In this article, you will learn how to play more consistent golf by following a system to be prepared mentally, physically and a structured practice method, used by amateurs and even the pros.

First of all, it is very important for you to warm up. When you warm up, your goal is to get your mind and body ready and focused. You need to physically warm up by doing stretches and let your muscles and joints loose. You should also use the time to remain focus and use reaffirmation to get yourself confident for the game. Grab a club and start swinging away, and try to find a good swing that you could stick to for the game. Let your body get used to the motion.

Next, it is important that you have a game plan set for every game. Check out the course in advance and plan out each and every shot. Check out the distance, and plan ahead on what clubs you should use. Figure out the best angles that you can for each shot, and once you have a game plan, implement it in your warm up by testing out the swings that you plan to use in your game ahead.

Be sure to be control of your emotions. Most players tend to lose it when they get a couple of bad shots, and it would ruin their game ultimately. Seriously, although it might sound like nonsense, but how you are thinking, positive or negative, that is how you are going to play. Therefore, keep a positive mind even if you had bad shots. It is okay to not be perfect; after all it is a game.

With these three tips, you would be able to play more consistent golf.