Best Golf Courses in Palm Springs

January 16, 2018

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – More than 100 golf courses populate California’s Coachella Valley a collection of golf and sun-crazed cities that all back up to one another. This beautiful oasis of palm trees and views of the Santa Rosa Mountains is located two-plus hours east of Los Angeles. The best golf courses in Palm Springs are some of the most scenic and awe-inspiring in the country.

 

Many of Palm Springs’ golf courses are private clubs, but there are still plenty of public golf club choices spread among the nine main cities in the sun-splashed valley, including golf hotbeds such as Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta and Indio. Most of the best courses are associated with golf resorts, although a few are municipally-owned facilities that are very affordable for residents, but can be costly for out-of-town visitors. Nevertheless, many golfers still view the destination as one of the best winter hotspots on the west coast. The SilverRock Golf Resort in La Quinta and the 36-hole Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert are the best examples of high-end muni golf in the desert and are considered some of the best golf courses in Palm Springs.

 

It all starts at the La Quinta Resort & Club, a luxurious Waldorf Astoria property that sports two of its own Pete Dye golf courses, the Mountain and Dunes, and access to three more courses at nearby PGA West Stadium Golf Course, the western home of the PGA of America. Dye’s intimidating handiwork is the highlight of the infamous Stadium course at PGA West. This fearsome test, which features “Alcatraz,” the famous island green par-3 hole, has hosted several final rounds of the PGA Tour’s CareerBuilder Challenge, formerly known as the Bob Hope Classic, and the old “Q-School” Finals. Mountain views dazzle spectators and those tuning in on TV to watch the top players in the world stroll these emerald fairways. Resort guests also can play the Jack Nicklaus Tournament course and the Greg Norman Resort course at PGA West.

 

The Indian Wells Golf Resort in Indian Wells is actually 36 holes of municipal golf that has partnered with four great area resorts for stay and plays, the Miramonte Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa and the Indian Wells Resort Hotel. Its Celebrity course and Players course are nicknamed the “Beauty and the Beast.” The Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort in Palm Springs has also partnered with area hotels, although none are officially listed on its website.The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa (pictured above) in Palm Desert features two classic Ted Robinson designs playing less than 6,700 yards.  Shadow Ridge Golf Club, also affiliated with Marriott Golf, was Nick Faldo’s first American design in 2000.

 

More courses that are popular among visitors and residents alike are Escena, Arnold Palmer-designed Classic Club (considered one of the best golf courses in Palm Springs according to Golf Advisor raters), Firecliff and Rancho Las Palmas Resort

 

Rancho Mirage has two large chain resorts offering 63 holes of golf: The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa and Omni Rancho Las Palmas. The Westin’s Pete Dye Resort course requires more precision than the Gary Player Signature Course, although both are a challenge. The Omni sports an interesting 27 holes, especially on the rolling topography of the North nine. You’ll run out of days off before you’ll run out of playing the best golf courses in Palm Springs in the sunny SoCal desert.