Indian Wells Country Club Cove Course Review
Introduction
Indian Wells Country Club is located in the great Palm Desert Area, and like the name says, in Indian Wells, California. There is a total of 36 holes, and we will be reviewing the Cove course today (click here for the classic course review). Indian Wells Country Club also served as the original host for the Bob Hope Classic for over 40 years.
The Cove course, just like the Classic course is not overly long. Coming in at a par 72, and 6558 total yards from the back tees, it won’t over power too many people. It is rated at 71.5 with a slope of 121.
Practice Area and Pro Shop
The pro shop and practice area for Indian Wells Country Club is near the main clubhouse. The pro shop is located on the bottom level of the clubhouse. If you have time, definitely check out the men’s locker room (if you can) as it is one of the best I have seen. The pro shop is ample, and the service is terrific.
The practice area is good as well. Not large but plenty of room. There is plenty of length to the driving range. The chipping area with a bunker, an area of fairway along with the green is located on the far end of the range.
There is a small clubhouse at the Cove course as well. I wish I could tell you about it, but we were running a bit late and didn’t have time to stop in. There is a nice practice putting green by the Cove clubhouse as well.
Conditions at Indian Wells Country Club Cove Course
Just as we stated in the Classic course review, we travel to the Palm Springs area every March and have played Indian Wells Country Club for a couple of years now. The conditions have never disappointing us. The over-seed is terrific and you can hardly find anything wrong with the course. It is just a treat to play on a course so well maintained.
The Front 9 at Indian Wells Country Club Cove Course
Hole 1 is a nice starting par 4. Driver isn’t needed here as one of our playing partners found that out the hard way. Water will sneak up on any balls hit about 260 yards down the right side of the fairway. With your approach, just in front of the green or just long to the right of the left green-side bunker.
Hole 2 takes you across the road to a shorter par 5. A good drive avoiding the two fairway bunkers that on each side of the fairway will leave a good look at the green in two. If you decide to go for the green in two. Just right of the green where it begins is the best miss. If you need to lay up. keep it just short of the fairway bunker out to the right. It will leave you inside 100 yards, but a straight shot to the green. Just make sure to avoid the back bunker.
Hole 3 is a longer par 4 for the course. Keep your tee shot in the valley the course was built in. Try to avoid the bunker on the right. This is one of the better protected greens on the course. It has two front bunkers and a bunker in the back. The front bunkers aren’t too bad, just avoid the one in the bac
Hole 4 is a decently long par 3 at 196 yards. The best miss is just in front. Deep right is ok, but it is not an easy up and down.
Hole 5 is the second par 5 on the front, and a bit longer. Long hitters will be able to carry the two fairway bunkers, but for the rest of use, we will need to thread the needle. If you can do this then you can have a look at in two, but the green is somewhat well protected. Missing it just in front and leaving your self a short chip is a great move. If you need to lay up, there is plenty of room, so just hit it to the number you want to have left. You need to hit this green but just short or deep left are you only two options to miss.
Hole 6 is the longest par 3 on the course at 228 yards. It is a long one for sure. With 3 bunkers around the green, there is plenty of trouble. Just short of the green is the best miss. If you are a decent bunker player, the 2 bunkers in front aren’t too terrible.
Hole 7 is shorter par 4. Keep your tee shot down the left avoiding the grouping of bunkers on the right. Just long or deep right are you miss options.
Hole 8 is another par 4. Thread the needle between the sand traps off the tee. This can be a birdie hole if you can do that. Take aim at this green, because neither bunker is too penal. Just short would be the best miss if you didn’t want to play from the bunkers.
Hole 9 is a longer 4 for the course at 405 yards. This is a tough drive with the trees on the left and the bunkers on the right. If you can play a draw, you will be happy. You do not want to be long into the back bunker with your approach. Just like a lot of the other holes, just short is your best miss, especially here.
The Back 9 at Indian Wells County Club Cove Course
Hole 10 is a par 4 that takes you down into the drainage ditch. Try to get it down the ditch a ways to have a straight shot to the green. The right bunker is really the only miss option. Back left is fine but probably won’t get there with the palm trees there.
Hole 11 is the shortest par 3 on the course at 167. Play it just short, or left behind the bunker for an easier up and down.
Hole 12 is the longest par 5 on the course at 548 yards. This hole starts the few holes that run up against the mountain. More than likely, this will be a 3 shot hole for the majority of people. There is plenty of room, just avoid going to far right. In my opinion, it is best to launch one down there, getting as close to the green as possible. Both bunkers near the green are more to the side, making for an easy straight forward chip.
Hole 13 is a fun par 4. Keep it out of the mountain to the right and you will be fine. The green is long and skinny. The front left bunker is fine, just do not end up in any of the back bunkers.
Hole 14 is a beautiful hole that bends ever so slightly to the left. You could run out of room if you are longer hitter and go down the far right side. Short or deep left are the best options for a miss.
Hole 15 is a shorter par 4, that has water running up the right edge about midway down. Any drive to the right could fine the water. With the green not being overly protected, make sure you hit something off the tee that will put you in the fairway. Just avoid the one bunker on the left and you will be fine on your approach.
Hole 16 is very similar to 14. A beautiful par 4 that turns slightly to the left. Keep it down the middle left for the best look into the green. Short or just long will be your best options to miss here.
Hole 17 was my favorite par 3 on the course. Little downhill and 173 yards. Try to avoid the bunker on the left, but it is better than the water on the right. Just short of the green again is your best miss.
Hole 18 was a very disappointing par 5. A good drive down into the drainage ditch will let you get to the green in two. Take a shot at the green, leaving it just left. That will leave you with an uphill lie for an easy pitch. Any lay up will just need to be down the ditch. Make sure you factor in going slightly up hill with your 3rd if you are laying up.
Conclusion
Indian Wells Country Club Cove course was fantastic. We enjoyed this course more than the Classic course truth be told, and will likely play again next year. Conditions are top notch, and service is always great. They only thing I disliked was the par 5 finishing holes. The entire back 9 was solid and 18 was just a let down. I would have rather played 9 as the finishing hole instead of 18. Maybe they could switch those two!
All in all, if you get the chance to play Indian Wells Country Club, go do it!
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