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Death Valley's Furnace Creek Resort - A Golf Experience Like No Other

30/12/2013

24 Comments

 

Why Golfing in Death Valley National Park (in July!) is Something That Should be on Every Golfers' Bucket Lists

Furnace Creek Golf www.turnipseedtravel.com
Furnace Creek - 6am
There are a couple of things I must be doing wrong. Waking up at 5am and stepping outside into a 105 degree pressure cooker is not normally high on my agenda of pleasant summer activities. But this is no ordinary morning – I have a 6:00 am tee off time at the Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley.

This course was rated as one of the 50 most difficult to play in the United States by Golf Digest, and it’s not hard to see why. By the time my round finishes on this clear July morning, the sun will be baking the 18th green with temperatures passing the 120 degree mark. Combined with the heavy, still air of the valley at 214 feet below sea level, this course certainly tests the resolve of any golfer who attempts it – and that’s the very reason why I have come to play. To play the world’s lowest elevation golf course, to dodge coyotes who are chasing road runners, and to sweat out a round that should be on everyone’s golf bucket list!
Furnace Creek Golf www.turnipseedtravel.com
Over 120 degrees...
The heat of Death Valley, even at 6:00 am, is surreal. The smell of the salt cedar trees surrounding the Furnace Creek resort makes me feel, both metaphorically and realistically, like I’m in the world’s largest sauna. Walking the dusty road to the club house, I’m not sure what is in store for me; only that it will be a round to remember. And I am not wrong.
Furnace Creek Golf www.turnipseedtravel.com
...and absolutely beautiful.
Furnace Creek Golf www.turnipseedtravel.com
Date palm trees line the golf course.
FlightHub
Normally when you book a tee time as a solo golfer, you’re paired with another group to help speed play along. Not this time. The only people moving here are the weary and bemused club house attendant and myself. As soon as I step out onto the first tee box, I know I’m going to have the majestic course all to myself. Like one of the solo explorers working their way west over 100 years ago, I can’t truly know what I’m in for. Only that it will be hot, lonely, and yet - serene and beautiful.
Furnace Creek Golf www.turnipseedtravel.com
Furnace Creek is an odyssey; an epic adventure not only pitting one person against the golf ball, but also against the elements. You don’t play a round. You try to survive it. You’ll spend some time debating whether to hit it down the middle of the wide open fairways, or try to cheat the ball to one side or another hoping to be able to catch even a wisp of shade from the trees lining the track. There are water holes on the course, surprisingly, and as play wears on, they begin to look more and more inviting as a welcome relief from the baking sun.
Furnace Creek Golf www.turnipseedtravel.comThe roadrunner got away... this time!
As you work through the back 9, you come close to some of the rooms from the Furnace Creek Resort. There will be a tourist or two watching you from their shaded balcony with a look of amusement that you would be silly enough to do this. It turns out that they’re silly for not! Golfing in Death Valley was an incredible experience. I’m not normally one to golf alone, but I would do it again there in a heartbeat. As I polished off the last of my water on 18, and sank the last putt, I carded a 94. About normal for me. But considering where I was, and the 120 degree temperature as I got off the course at 9:00 am, I felt like I shot 74. It was one of the best rounds of my life, and one of the most memorable.

If you’re going to go to Death Valley I recommend trying it, at least once, in the July sun. It’s brutal, oppressive, stifling, wonderful, magical, and memorable. And there are not many courses who can boast about that.

As I made my way from one hole to the next, I tried to remember to look around. The course, despite the heat, is beautiful. The view of the surrounding mountains, the small pack of coyotes nestled under a nearby palm tree, and above all the silence, made this a round for the ages. You play quickly on this course. Not a lot of practice swings, and really, not a lot of thinking. Just hit, move on, hit again. And as I hit the turn, I realized… I’m shooting a hell of a round. 

Furnace Creek Golf www.turnipseedtravel.com
Practical Tips:
The Furnace Creek Resort is set upon an oasis surrounded by the mountains that trap the heat on the valley floor. It is important that you stay hydrated.  I wisely took the advice of the man behind the counter and stocked up on a hat and 4 litres of water. It’ll barely be enough - and it’s so hot, even at 6:00 am, that the sweat evaporates from your body before it even has a chance to cool you down.

In the summer, book your round as early as possible. If you’re coming from the East Coast, combine your jet lag (6am in Death Valley is 9am on the other side of the continent!) with the “cooler” temperatures at sunrise. There are golf packages available from the resort that make it easy to get there early – by staying the night before! While golfing in July might be challenging, your wallet will be rewarded. Summer rates are half the price and include complimentary cart rental. 

While tee times are relatively easy to get in the sweltering summer months, booking ahead to be the first on the course will also mean that you won’t have to wait for the group ahead of you at any point – which is helpful in the blistering heat.
Furnace Creek Golf www.turnipseedtravel.com
The course coyote recommends using ACME brand golf balls.
This guest post was contributed by Ryan.
As always, we welcome and encourage your comments. Would you be willing to do sports in extreme heat? Would you be willing to visit such a hot area?

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24 Comments
Katherine Belarmino link
30/12/2013 03:25:27 pm

A new golf course to put on my husband's list! He didn't even know about this one.

Reply
Vanessa
1/1/2014 02:05:17 am

Hurrah! So glad we could help inspire!

Reply
Mary Calculated Traveller link
26/1/2014 10:52:14 pm

You are one tough cookie to golf out there in that temperature. Wow...I've been to Death Valley many times and didn't even think to look for a golf course there let alone grass and a watering hole!

Reply
Vanessa
27/1/2014 03:38:51 am

It's definitely the last thing you'd expect if you didn't think to look for it.

Reply
Aggy link
27/1/2014 12:27:43 am

Wow, I'm not a golfer so I have no idea how to golf in that kind of weather - must be boiling hot! And coyotes?! Wow! I have to admit, the views are stunning!

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Vanessa
30/1/2014 05:16:27 am

Lots of coyotes - all over the park! They are fairly use to humans so they aren't too scary but they are naturally wary creatures so they didn't come up to us so we felt safe.

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Helen Anne Travis link
27/1/2014 01:48:06 am

Wow. That is some dedication there! You can find me in the shade with a pina colada cheering you on.

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Vanessa
27/1/2014 03:39:41 am

Great minds think alike - while Ryan was golfing I went to the cafe for breakfast and had a latte and scone!

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Lance | Trips By Lance link
27/1/2014 02:37:39 am

Kudos to Ryan. I don't play golf anymore, but if I did I would love this challenge. Honestly, if I ever end up there I'd happily play. Great photos too. You have to be crazy to do this and I think I have just a little crazy in me.

Reply
Vanessa
27/1/2014 03:42:07 am

Hope you get to play there one day soon - I think the heat if a great equalizer so even those who are a bit rusty with their skills are on an even playing field with more experienced golfers.

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Mrs. Chasing the Donkey link
27/1/2014 05:48:55 am

Whhhaaahhh man, that's hot! Good on your for sticking it out. I do not golf myself (thanks to poor coordination from mother nature), but I'd like to go along and perhaps try out the bar and the view.

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Vanessa
27/1/2014 07:25:46 am

I can personally attest to the quality of the prickly pear margaritas at the adjacent 49ers Cafe

Reply
noel link
27/1/2014 06:17:03 am

that does sound intense to be outdoors playing golf in those extremes, I'm shocked to hear there's actually a gold course in the dessert. Hope you can join us today by linking up to Travel Photo Mondays, the link is up for the whole week!

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Vanessa
27/1/2014 07:27:19 am

The desert conditions definitely warrant some advance planning - and plenty of water!

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Lindsay Lewis Thomas link
27/1/2014 06:17:39 am

Very appropriate name for the resort! Furnace Creek! Sounds like a furnace! It actually sounds like my two day experience in Dubai in August. 105 at 5 AM, 120 by 9... yep, sounds about right! I could barely walk in that heat, much less do any sort of physical activity! I don't golf, but the course looks beautiful- and SO green for being so hot! I've never been- but have always wanted to go- to Death Valley.... Maybe I'll shoot for a October/November visit ;-) I am a TOTAL wuss when it come to extreme weather (hot OR cold)....

Reply
Vanessa
27/1/2014 07:28:42 am

Ryan just went to a return visit in early January and he reports it being very, very pleasant, about 20 Celsius. He still took precautions in terms of water and provisions but overall felt it was a very user-friendly time to travel.

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Marysia @ My Travel Affairs link
27/1/2014 06:17:44 am

Golf is great, but I really do not have enough time for doing everything, we all have to prioritise. Having said all that, the place looks amazing!

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Vanessa
27/1/2014 07:29:35 am

Agreed. I really loved all the non golf activities there, including the ranger talks, nature activities, and cafes.

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Megan link
27/1/2014 08:54:19 am

Phew! I'm a wimp in the heat, but this looks like a way to force myself to get used to it! I've also never really golfed...so it'd be extra challenging ;-)

Reply
Vanessa
27/1/2014 09:39:23 am

Hmmm.... not sure if this is the best way to learn how to golf!

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A Brit and A Southerner link
27/1/2014 02:06:27 pm

Of course I had to comment on this as I am an avid golfer (Chris AKA 'A Brit'). This course looks like a lot of fun, aside from the temperature but maybe that just adds to the challenge. A harsh climate and a tough links will certainly separate the men from the boys when it comes to a solid round!

Great post and hopefully will get to play there sometime!

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Vanessa
28/1/2014 12:56:31 am

Hi Chris - I hope you get to play there soon - be sure to let us know how it goes and what your experience was like.

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Lew link
29/1/2014 10:35:20 pm

Ha! I love that it's called Furnace Creek, like you need to be reminded that it's hot. I don't have the attention span for playing golf. Add the heat and I think I'd turn into a melting zombie :-)

Reply
Vanessa
30/1/2014 05:15:20 am

In that case, I urge you to chill with me and enjoy a prickly pear margarita!

Reply



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