After a well-deserved and much needed rest from a busy week on the golf courses we geared up for another five consecutive days of play and reviewing. Sunday was a NFL extravaganza as we hung out at our favourite sports bar and watched football for six hours. Monday, we managed to get seven holes in at Terra Lago, but rain and cold temperatures drove 90% of the golfers off the course. Not to worry, as we are rescheduled to play there this week.
The other rain out that occurred during this stay was at Shadow Hills and now on day 22 we were about to return under beautiful clear blue skies .
At the recommendation of our new friend, Matt, golf club technician at the PGA superstore, we opted to play the North Course at Shadow Hills instead of the original booking on the South Course.
An 18 hole practice green next to the first tee
The North Course is a par 54 18 hole layout.
It is no easy little pitch and putt, trust me, as some of the holes that Jim and I teed off from where over 200 yards in length.
Lynn and Myra played from the forward tees which were also very challenging with holes of up to 150 yards.
If you choose to play the fabulous North Course, you can stop in at the South Course about a mile away and use the practice range there with complementary balls at no cost.
A great start
The North Course and its amenities are in absolutely pristine condition. The quaint little pro shop with a small café area as well as the patio overlooking the stunning 18th hole are spotless and beautifully decorated.
Check out this beauty
After checking in with Kevin and loading up our clubs onto a cart, which conveniently you can drive to your vehicle, we putted for a few minutes then set off .
Tom, our starter, well everyone’s starter to be honest, was extremely friendly and timed it perfect in sending us to the first tee some 30 yards away from the practice green.
Out on the course the par threes were absolutely beautiful with many of them having forced carries over lagoon like ponds.
Short but tricky
The greens were of the quality of any full links high-end golf course, huge and undulating in most cases. There were three tee boxes to choose from on each hole and is evident from these photos it was no wedge and putter course.
It was just what we needed. Working on some new swing techniques, I really benefitted from playing the course. It was also a welcome break for Myra, a real confidence booster in making a couple of really solid pars .
Our new friends, Lynn and Jim, from Bellevue, Washington who we played Rancho Las Palmas with last week were again wonderful company.
Lynn teeing off beautifully
Lynn’s new stance resulted in a dramatic improvement in her ball striking and a little tip to Jim saw him make back to back pars.
All of us had some excellent shots, pars, putts and chips – the whole basket of golf goodies.
It was a terrific choice in playing the North Course at Shadow Hills and any golfer no matter what level of skill would be rewarded.
The home hole, a really stunner!
Sometimes it’s just the little things that separates one course from another. I always like to freshen up after the game by washing my hands and face. What a nice little treat that the spotless, fully tiled men’s room had both hot and cold taps to do this properly. On your visit to the Palm Springs area reward yourself and those who play with you and go out and play the North Course at Shadow Hills in Sun City, Indio. You will be delighted too.
Looking back over the 18th green, very special view from the patio
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Bill Flower
Bill Flower is a passionate golfer and lover of the game who lives on Vancouver Island in Parksville, BC. He has played the game since the age of 10 and has spent many years in the golf business ranging from full time teaching pro to part time professional caddy, golf tour operator and golf writer. He loves to travel with his wife Myra throughout the US and Canada playing and reviewing golf courses of all styles. To date he has reviewed over 125 golf courses.
