Palm Springs, California, lies on the western edge of the Coachella Valley, in the Colorado Desert. Located approximately 110 miles southeast of Los Angeles and 140 miles northeast of San Diego, the area is an easy two-hour drive by freeway. This desert oasis has a glorious climate, especially during the winter months when the temperatures are perfect for golf.
More than 100 courses can be found throughout the desert cities, including PGA courses and those designed by the greatest names in the game like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.
Don’t forget your golf clubs while traveling to Palm Springs.
Desert Willow Golf Resort Ranked #50 in California on All Square
Desert Willow Golf Resort is a high-end public facility with two 18-hole championship courses each offering a challenging yet rewarding experience for golfers of all levels.
The Firecliff Course, measuring 7,056 yards, is a true test of skill where golfers must negotiate their way around extensive natural areas, numerous water features, and more than 100 bunkers / waste areas.
The Mountain View Course provides unmatched scenery and views while allowing for a less demanding golf game. At just under 7,000 yards and half as many bunkers as Firecliff, you will find more water and less trouble during your round while taking more snapshots than chip shots.
Mountain Course at La Quinta Resort & Club
The Mountain Course at La Quinta Resort, nestled at the base of the picturesque Santa Rosa Mountains, combines everything the desert has to offer. The course is very challenging featuring pot bunkers and rock formations, as well as incredible elevations of tee boxes and greens protected by numerous bunkers.
Rising to the top of the elevated tee box of the signature 16th allows you to fully appreciate the beauty of this course.
Stadium Course at PGA West Ranked #18 in California on All Square
A Pete Dye golf course, the Stadium Course delivers multiple adrenaline rushes throughout the round and is among the most challenging course you’ll find anywhere in the world. Many of the holes are packed with pot bunkers, sand, and water. The famous 16th hole has one of most difficult greenside bunkers in Golf. To get out, you have to descend an 18-foot staircase. It’s no surprise that the Stadium Course has created many historic PGA moments.
The Classic Club
Designed by Arnold Palmer, the Classic Club is one of the more high-end courses in Palm Springs and hosted the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic on the PGA Tour 3 times. Classic Club features over 5,000 Pine, Pepper & Olive trees, 30 acres of lake & water features, and 14 stone bridges.
The course measures over 7,200 yards from the back tees but with a good variety of tee options it is appealing to players at all levels of the game. The views over the Coachella Valley make for an incredibly beautiful golf experience.
Silver Rock Resort – Arnold Palmer Classic
The 7,578-yard course at Silver Rock Resort, designed by Arnold Palmer, rolls over 200 acres and sits against the backdrop and natural beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains. This breathtaking backdrop is best appreciated at sunrise with an early tee-off. With 6 tee boxes for golfers to choose from, low- and high-handicappers alike can make Silver Rock play as long or as short as their game demands. Put this on your “must play” list.
Shadow Ridge Golf Resort
The Nick Faldo-designed course at Shadow Ridge is set against the beautiful backdrop of the snow-capped Santa Rosa Mountains in Palm Desert, California. The well-kept course features unforgivingly steep sand traps, a signature design by Faldo. Expect a few uneven stands on the fairways during your round, and the water features throughout the course may claim a ball or two. The trick to mastering the course at Shadow Ridge is to attack it conservatively rather than going for all-out glory.
