Sensei Porcupine Creek: Can a Golf Resort Help You Live Longer?

To say that there is a lot of wealth behind Sensei Porcupine Creek would be an understatement akin to calling Tiger Woods a great golfer. The all inclusive golf resort was co-founded in 2022 by none other than Oracle CTO and world’s third richest man Larry Ellison. But Porcupine Creek is more than a golf resort, it’s a wellness retreat that obsesses over every detail of the human condition. And this approach was inspired by Ellison’s relationship with physician and cancer researcher Dr. David Agus.

The two men had a mutual friend pass away at a premature age, an event which inspired them to open a resort which teaches people to live longer, healthier lives through preventative care. The first of these retreats was Sensei Lānaʻi in Hawaii, while Sensei Porcupine Creek is the second and carved out of the Santa Rosa Mountains in sunny Palm Springs, California.

Originally a 230-acre private estate owned by billionaire Tim Blixseth, Ellison acquired the property in 2011 and continued to use it for personal means before turning it into what it is today. The crown jewel, at least for us, is the golf course. The 18-hole track was once only accessible through personal invite and now can be played by resort guests. A network of streams and waterfalls weaves through the property, creating unconventional playing angles against the backdrop of desert mountains. But the attention to detail put towards golf doesn’t come at the expense of the supplementary activities.

That’s the whole point of Sensei; golf as a means to greater wellness, and vice versa. One of the more progressive wellness programs at Porcupine Creek includes body mapping which reveals asymmetries, muscle tightness and areas of pain, later connecting guests with practitioners to target these areas. The larger goal is to empower individuals to take control of their health, meaning the journey merely begins with Sensei...and with golf.

Dive into our conversation below with Richard Ruddy, the director of golf at Sensei Porcupine Creek.

Can you describe the design of the golf course and what makes it unique?

I like to measure a course by asking myself, “Would I want to play this course every day?” At Sensei Porcupine Creek, the answer is a resounding “yes.” The course allows the player to use their entire bag. Sight lines play tricks on your eyes making for fun decisions throughout the round. Our Mini Verde greens roll true, and the pins can be tucked in precarious locations. Some of my favorite approach shots I’ve ever played are at Sensei Porcupine Creek. The feel on the course is like no other golf experience. The feeling is a mix of extreme relaxation coupled with heightened senses as the course begs for your undivided attention.

What’s the natural setting of the course and how does it affect the playing experience?

You know the babbling brook sound on sleeping machines? Creeks and waterfalls are scattered around the property. Hearing this sound along with watching your ball fly against the backdrop of the Santa Rosa mountains that envelop the property is something you must experience yourself. I also like when golf courses separate each hole with landscaping. Each hole at Sensei Porcupine Creek is surrounded by its own lush landscaping, making for 18 (or 19) unique holes.

How would you describe the type of culture that exists at your club with members or frequent players?

The culture at Sensei Porcupine Creek is unique. Our guests visit from all over the world and come to us with all levels of ability. The culture is relaxed, friendly, and approachable and I often use the phrase “relaxed luxury.” You won’t find a loud four-some on the practice tee looking for attention. However, it is not a stuffy environment. We have the nicest guests in the world, they are friendly, respectful, and VERY excited to spend their day with us.

What’s your elevator pitch for Sensei Porcupine as the perfect winter golf retreat?

Sensei Porcupine Creek far exceeds the typical golf course experience one might expect in the desert and is the perfect retreat for the winter, when our course reopens for the season starting in mid-November. Beyond the beauty, mystique and challenge of our course, Sensei is bringing a unique perspective on the intersection of wellness and golf, as a wellness retreat with a world-class golf course and offerings. We offer an extremely curated and luxurious experience for our golfers, whether it's a morning spent on what feels like their own private golf course, as you won't need to book a tee time since the course is only open to retreat guests, to our Golf Optimal Wellbeing Program, which is a five-night sports performance program designed to help improve overall wellbeing, productivity and golf game.

We're bringing a new approach to the sport, straying away from the traditional one-size-fits-all golf clinic approach and treating every golfer’s game with a level of personalization they won’t find elsewhere - plus it’s one of the only places in the world where golfers can get an exclusive menu of Nobu delights delivered to them right on the course!

Sensei Porcupine Creek
42765 Dunes View Rd
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

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