Teeing Off In Paradise: Golf In Palm Springs

Pack your golf clubs and get ready to swing into paradise because golf isn’t just a sport; it’s a way of life in Palm Springs. The Coachella Valley is a golfer's utopia with more than 100 pristine courses surrounded by desert landscapes and stunning mountain views. Dozens of world-class golf courses in and around Palm Springs set the stage for unparalleled golf experiences. Plus, with mild winters, incredible summers, and sunny skies year-round, you can tee off in paradise every day of the year! 

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just beginning, here for the weekend or an extended stay, get ready to tee off in style and discover what makes Palm Springs a mecca of golfing bliss!

La Quinta Resort and Club

With two courses, you may question which best suits your skill set, but both offer dynamic play and stunning scenery. Take advantage of the practice greens and driving range before heading out, then prepare for an epic day on the fairway!

Dunes Course 

This traditional links-style course is perfect for intermediate players with manicured fairways, challenging par threes, and several elevated greens. Accuracy with wedges will pay off, as well as consistency and focus, and don’t overlook pin placements—they can make all the difference between a birdie and a bogey!

Mountain Course 

This challenging yet playable course offers some of the best golf in Palm Springs with exciting features, including rock formations, elevated tee boxes, and greens with plenty of bunkers. The scenery is sublime, with the Santa Rosa mountains resting peacefully in the backdrop.

PGA West

Home of the American Express, a four-day pro-am tourney held annually in the Coachella Valley, PGA West’s tournament-level courses offer the best in championship golf in Palm Springs.

Stadium Course 

This par-72 course ranks among some of the best in the world and suits all skill levels. Straight shooters will excel on the front nine, while precision pays off on the back nine. If you’ve got the time, hit the Jack Nicklaus Tournament and Greg Norman Courses too. You’ll need both a robust long and short game to be a contender, and they will both test your skills, but the dramatic landscape will more than make up for it.

Desert Willow Golf Resort 

With two distinct championship courses presenting interesting challenges, golfers can pick their poison. Both offer a nice blend of grass and desert with rocks and cacti left intact, delivering a rugged Palm Desert vibe that merges nature and playability on firm, fast courses.

Firecliff Course

Longer and more demanding than its counterpart, Firecliff offers more sand, unforgiving greens, and lengthier par fours. Focus on the incredible scenery, particularly the ninth and eighteenth greens, and skilled players might have a chance to go for par.

Mountain View Course

High handicappers might excel here, the more forgiving of the two courses. Those with an equal mix of skill and finesse will find mercy on this course with its gentle fairways and generous greens.

Dine indoors or out on the patio at The Terrace, feast on small bites, burgers, and sandwiches, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Craving a post-game cocktail? Hit the Vista bar, then relive the day’s highlights over a refreshing beverage!

Classic Club 

All skill levels are welcome at this Arnold Palmer-designed course, offering stunning views of the surrounding Palm Desert landscape. Broad landing areas, rolling terrain, and pine trees mark this nationally recognized course, recipient of numerous accolades, including “Top 20 You Can Play in California” by Golfweek’s Best, “America’s Top Golf Courses” by Zagat Survey, and “Top 10 Best Desert Courses” by Desert Golf. 

While there, take advantage of their top-notch practice facilities, private lessons, and clinics. Whether you want to work on your short game, refine your techniques, practice your swing, or master the fundamentals, a PGA professional can customize a plan and offer personal instruction at the Golf Academy. After a full day, grab a light bite or meal at the Mediterranean-inspired Bellatrix restaurant!

The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort 

Head to Rancho Mirage for one of the most diverse courses in the Coachella Valley. Although designed by Pete Dye, you’ll find the Resort Course a bit more forgiving than others, and the views of the Santa Rosa mountains don’t get much better. With over 70 bunkers, numerous water hazards, and undulating greens, you’ll still find many challenges on this fun, playable course dotted with pine, olive, and palm trees.

Newbies can sign up for golf clinics that teach the fundamentals, while those looking to tweak their skills can opt for private or on-course instruction on putting, chipping, pitching, and bunker play. If you need clubs, you can rent them there, and they’ll also happily coordinate corporate retreats and bachelor parties!

Indian Wells Golf Resort

Elevate your game in Indian Wells, a 36-hole facility offering some of the area’s top resort courses. Each differs in play, but you’ll find lush greenery, waterfalls, ponds, and palm trees on both, making any day on the greens exceptional!  

Players Course

Ranked by Golf Advisor as “Golfer’s Choice Top 50 Golf Courses in the US,” the Players Course showcases smooth, well-guarded greens, a fair share of bunkers, and plenty of water features. Relax and enjoy the front nine on this John Fought-designed course, as the back nine will present some challenges. A little strategy and some well-paced balls will make for a good round of golf any day of the week!

Celebrity Course

Renowned for its exceptional layout, this Clive Clark-designed course has been ranked as one of the “Top Courses in California” by Golf Advisor for ten consecutive years.

Creatively designed with undulating terrain, breathtaking mountain views, and fantastic water features, the course offers lots of variety. You’ll get practice on all parts of your game, but narrow corridors on the fairways can make some tee shots exceptionally demanding. 

Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort 

Nestled in the San Jacinto mountain range in Palm Springs, Tahquitz Creek offers golfers two championship golf courses and excellent practice facilities. Warm up on the driving range, pitching area, or two large putting greens before tackling “One of the Best Places to Play,” as noted by Golf Digest. Rent clubs and purchase merchandise and equipment at the well-stocked golf shop before heading out!

The Resort Course

Expect to see island fairways, doglegs, and a mix of short and long play on this Ted-Robinson-designed links-style course. Scenic waterscapes and undulating greens mark this friendly but demanding course offering gorgeous mountain views. Be forewarned, the 8th and signature hole known as Terminator will present some challenges, but heavy hitters and straight shooters will find redemption on the 18th hole, Last Chance, a picturesque par 5 to end the day.

The Legend Course

Designed by William Frances Bell, a prominent golf course architect whose notable works include Torry Pines in San Diego and La Jolla Country Club, the traditional country club-style course offers a refined golfing experience with a nice mix of strategic challenges and natural features in the landscape.

Hit the Traditions Cafe’ before heading out for a breakfast burrito or Denver omelet, or drop in afterward for a club sandwich and a cool drink, then catch the sunset before calling it a day!

Omni Rancho Las Palmas

You’ll find a mix of demanding yet attainable holes in Rancho Mirage on three distinct nine-hole tracks: North, South, and West. Several tricky tee shots require long carries, testing your club selection and technique, but simple straightaways with greens that roll true and minimal break offer a reprieve. No matter which you pick, all are a good test for the mid-handicapper who enjoys gentle rolling terrain, palm tree-lined fairways, and incredible mountain vistas. 

Once you’ve impressed everyone with your short game, grab a burger or a cool tropical drink at the clubhouse and toast to another successful day of golf!

Where to Stay When Golfing in Palm Springs

Elevate your Palm Springs golf experience by choosing accommodations as exceptional as your swing. ACME House Company specializes in curating the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and convenience, and let’s be honest. There’s nothing like unwinding in a private pool after a day on the course!

ABOUT ACME HOUSE COMPANY: Acme manages Luxury Vacation Rental Homes & Condos in Greater Palm Springs and the surrounding desert cities, catering to those looking to travel to the world-renowned destination for the season, week-long stays and extended weekends. Fabulous pool homes for when you and your peeps want some together time. Visit Acme’s Website to explore more Palm Springs Vacation Rentals. 

Images courtesy of Visit Greater Palm Springs

Published by Matthew Bruce
Monday, February 19, 2024