“You’re going to want to roll down your window for the drive in,” the security guard said after checking my driver’s license to confirm I was indeed the same Michael LoRé he had been expecting.

The wooden gate crept open to unveil palm trees, red flowers, green bushes, cacti and carefully curated stones as I was transported from the Southern California desert to an luxury oasis within the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains near Palm Springs.

During the drive in, I spotted art installations, later identified to me (certainly more a golfer than art aficionado) as “One Through Zero (The Ten Numbers)” by Robert Indiana and “Your Dog” by Yoshitomo Nara.

Once we arrived at the main estate house, I was greeted by a sea of pleasant faces, eager to help me with my bags and give me a tour of the latest and greatest at Sensei Porcupine Creek, a 230-acre wellness resort that opened in 2022 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. 

Founded by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and renowned physician and scientist Dr. David Agus, the once-private estate owned by Ellison since 2011 “aims to inspire people to live longer, healthier lives through programs and experiences unique to each wellbeing journey” while focusing on three paths for everyday living: Move, nourish, rest.

While I was escorted around the property, I couldn’t help but notice a lack of other guests in the fitness studio, pool area and on the golf course. Puzzled by not passing another soul who wasn’t employed by Sensei, I asked my tour guide. Not only did she admit the resort was at approximately 60 percent capacity but she proudly said that’s the whole point of the serene sanctuary: to give guests a tranquil experience to relax, refocus and rejuvenate without feeling like they’re on spring break.

That Zen-like environment was certainly replicated on the golf course.

Playing Porcupine Creek

Similar to the resort itself, the front nine was full of green trees, plants, cacti and flowers while the back nine was more rugged and desert-like, boasting water features and breathtaking sight lines.

Stopping for as many photos as swings, the course’s most memorable hole was No. 15—a 217-yard par-3 featuring a 220-foot drop from the tee box that’s as intimidating as the undulations on the green itself if you manage to stick your tee shot.

Hardly in a hurry once we descended the mountain, we played around on the green trying to get creative with our putts and lines by taking advantage of the various slopes and breaks.

Like Sensei Porcupine Creek as a whole, the 6,665-yard golf course felt like it was just ours. The only other golfers we came across on that idyllic fall day were a twosome waiting for us while we were finishing  No. 9 while wondering if the Takumi burgers with sweet potato fries we ordered ahead would be ready for us at the turn. (They were.)

Even the maintenance staff seemed unbothered by our presence, continuing about their business as if we weren’t there. That included whizzing by on carts as we teed off on No. 16, another elevated tee box that aims down onto a split fairway.

While the course was as serene as the resort, it provided enough risk/reward and challenging moments that separated it from a more forgiving resort course you’d play on vacation in the Caribbean, for example.

Avoiding trouble off the tee on the narrow third hole, an audacious second shot over bunkers can put you in prime position for an eagle on the par-5, 515-yarder or it can lead to an unwanted crooked number if you run into trouble.

At No. 7, another risk/reward opportunity comes into play as long hitters can attempt to reach the green in one, though their arrogance can be punished if they dunk it in the creek on the left or into the pond guarding the green.

Pressed against the mountainside, No. 14 requires a well-placed approach shot to attack the green that fights back with bunkers and rocks.

Finishing the round is no easy feat with the 506-yard par-5 that plays toward the mountains. After bypassing water off the tee, you need to be cautious of the three massive bunkers in front of the green. Sensei’s website frankly states: “A par is respectable before heading back into the clubhouse.”

How to Play Porcupine Creek

Once only enjoyed on an invite-only basis by top celebrities, athletes and world leaders, the 18-hole course now is open to Sensei Porcupine Creek guests who can book a stay with seasonal nightly rates starting from $1,325 (single), $1,600 (double) with a two-night minimum.

Each reservation comes with a $250 daily wellness credit which can be used towards services including the spa, wellbeing consultations or, maybe most importantly, the $950 green fees. You’re eligible for a reduced replay rate if you decide to tee it up more than once during your stay.

MyGolfSpy Experiences: Final Thoughts

If you’re lucky enough to play Sensei Porcupine Creek, I highly suggest doing so. The fact that it’s been open barely over a year and was once only enjoyed by the rich, famous and well-connected only reinforces its exclusivity.

This resort and course aren’t a play-on-a-whim-type experience and certainly cost a pretty penny but it’s well worth it. While it’s not atop a buddy trip or even many golfers’ bucket lists, Sensei Porcupine Creek presents an experience unlike other courses I’ve played.

With a focus on wellbeing, rejuvenation and tranquility, the experience will make you rethink your mindset, emotions and thought processes on and off the golf course which could be a bigger takeaway than your scorecard or Instagram photos.

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