SOUTHLAND FOCUS

A weekly look at golf courses open to the public in Southern California.

TAHQUITZ CREEK RESORT COURSE

Address: 1885 Golf Club Drive, Palm Springs.

Phone: (760) 328-1005 or (800) 743-2211.

Green fees: $70-$80 (until April 18).

Tee times: Reservations booked outside seven days will be charged an additional $5 per person.

The facility: The course, opened in February 1995 and run by the Arnold Palmer management company, was designed by Ted Robinson Jr. and is a links style desert layout. It was recently listed as the third busiest course in the desert. It adjoins the Legends course, the former Palm Springs municipal layout that has been renovated. The resort course features par threes abutting waterfalls and one hole with perfectly round pot bunkers that make you feel as though you are playing the British Open.

The good: The greens are medium fast and hard, but hold well. The fairways are plush and not so narrow to discourage a few errant swings. Just about every hole seems to afford a breathtaking view of the nearby mountains. There are five sets of tees ranging from 6,705 yards to 5,206. The par threes are gorgeous with just enough water to present some challenges without overbearing psych-outs.

The bad: If you are a finicky player, the frequent airplanes overhead can be a distraction, but its not exactly like trying to play tennis at Flushing Meadow. On No. 15, a soccer field can become a noisy background for your tee shot. And some of the bunkers are kind of like trying to explode out of cement.

The score: This course is fair, not humbling. At each tee, there is a short sentence quoting Palmer as to where to hit your drive. Good advice that works.

Overall rating: 3 1/2 balls

* One ball: No-frills golf.

** Two balls: Worth an occasional round.

*** Three balls: Like shooting four strokes under your handicap.

**** Four balls: Where the golf gods play.

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Hole Back Tees Middle Tees Par Front Tees 1 349 330 4 291 2 371 356 4 316 3 175 152 3 111 4 551 519 5 428 5 390 367 4 311 6 531 503 5 431 7 384 361 4 307 8 196 167 3 123 9 416 392 4 301 Out 3,363 3,147 36 2,619 10 404 378 4 312 11 362 336 4 278 12 317 288 4 236 13 179 158 3 109 14 562 537 5 474 15 400 375 4 311 16 411 391 4 331 17 130 110 3 81 18 577 536 5 455 In 3,342 3,109 36 2,587 Total 6,705 6,256 72 5,206

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Rating/Slope: Back--72.2/128; Middle--70.4/124; Front--71.7/125