11.7.2023 Valerie Roca
Palm Springs is known for many things – incredible midcentury architecture, an abundance of desert sunshine, celebrity sightings, and of course, golf. And while Palm Springs golf courses are plentiful, the greater Coachella Valley area offers a plethora of stunning and impeccably maintained courses that shouldn’t be missed.
So if you’re looking for that ideal location to perfect your swing, read on for our guide to the best Palm Springs golf courses.
The Best Palm Desert Golf Courses
- Highlights: Designed by Jimmy Hines, the par 72, 6,728-yard Midwestern-style golf course has been challenging players for more than 50 years.
- Number of Holes: 18
- Highlights: Features two distinct golf experiences – the Arthur Hills-designed Mountains and the Tom Fazio-designed Canyons courses. Bighorn has also hosted some major professional golf tournaments, giving members a front-row seat to world-class golf.
- Number of Holes: 36
- Highlights: Established in 1992, Indian Ridge features two Arnold Palmer-designed golf courses and is fully member-owned and member-operated.
- Number of Holes: 36
- Highlights: Established in 1973, Ironwood offers members two different tiers of golf membership, including an executive membership for those under 55 years of age, which is available at half the cost of regular membership dues. All golf members have access to two championship golf courses.
- Number of Holes: 36
- Highlights: With 27 holes on three 9-hole courses, The Lakes offers members versatility and plenty of ways to practice with two putting greens, two practice bunkers, and a driving range.
- Number of Holes: 27
- Highlights: With classic Hollywood Regency-style architecture and a Ted Robinson-designed executive course, Marrakesh blends the modern and the timeless from its course to its clubhouse.
- Number of Holes: 18
- Highlights: With two 18-hole Ted Robinson Jr.-designed courses to choose from, members at Palm Valley enjoy equally challenging but distinct golf experiences.
- Number of Holes: 36
- Highlights: A limited number of golf-only memberships allows Stone Eagle golfers to enjoy a no tee time policy at the 19-hole Tom Doak-designed course (yes, there is a bonus hole!). Unlike many other clubs, Stone Eagle doesn’t offer other activities or residences.
- Number of Holes: 19
The Best Indian Wells Golf Courses
- Highlights: Established in 1979, Desert Horizons is an active lifestyle country club offering an 18-hole course.
- Number of Holes: 18
- Highlights: Founded in 1957 by Johnny Dawson and Jimmy Hines, Eldorado provides and exceptional and exclusive golf experience – and membership is by invitation only.
- Number of Holes: 18
- Highlights: The 21-hole Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish-designed course plus abundant practice facilities provide members of The Reserve ample opportunities to perfect their game and refine their stroke. Three bonus trophy holes are a great way to warm up or settle a tie.
- Number of Holes: 21
- Highlights: Established in 2004, Toscana boasts two Jack Nickalaus Signature Golf Courses, old world style European architecture and a limited number of residential golf memberships to ensure a quality golf experience for all.
- Number of Holes: 36
- Highlights: Regarded as one of the most prestigious and ultra-exclusive country clubs in the country, The Vintage Club offers two 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed championship golf courses, no tee times and the chance to rub shoulders with the likes of Presidents and celebrities.
The Best Palm Springs Golf Courses
- Highlights: One of the only private golf courses in Palm Springs, Bermuda Dunes was established in 1959 and offers golfers 27 holes to perfect their game under the backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains.
- Number of Holes: 27
The Best Rancho Mirage Golf Courses
- Highlights: With three championship courses including the Dinah Shore Tournament Course, an Arnold Palmer Signature Course and a Pete Dye Challenge Course, there is no shortage of great golf available to Mission Hills members.
- Number of Holes: 54
- Highlights: A Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, a pristine practice facility and two putting greens are just a few of the amenities golf resident and non-resident members enjoy at Morningside.
- Number of Holes: 18
- Highlights: The only not exclusively private club on this list, Desert Island is open to members and non-members alike. With a more youthful, colorful and creative vibe, Desert Island boasts an 18-hole Desmund Muirhead-designed course and perhaps stands out most for it’s ‘everyone is welcome’ mentality.
- Number of Holes: 18
- Highlights: With an 18-hole Desmond Muirhead Signature course, a 30-tee driving range, short game area and putting green, resident and non-resident golf members at The Springs have myriad opportunities to take their game to the next level.
- Number of Holes: 18
- Highlights: Established in 1951 as a golf club dedicated to welcoming diverse members, Tamarisk offers members a pristine 18-hole golf course, plus dining, social and fitness facilities.
- Number of Holes: 18
- Highlights: The 18-hole course was originally designed by Lawrence Hughes in 1951, but was renovated by Ted Robinson in 1980 and updated by Tripp Davis in 2022. An exclusive and prestigious private club, membership is available by invitation only.
- Number of Holes: 18
The Best La Quinta Golf Courses
- Highlights: Hideaway members enjoy two 18-hole golf courses, one designed by Pete Dye, the other by Clive Clark. Golf memberships are limited to a maximum of 450 members, and membership privileges are extended to immediate family members.
- Number of Holes: 36
- Highlights: With three Pete Dye Championship golf courses and proximity to PGA West and La Quinta Resort & Club, Citrus Club members have ample opportunity to meet new people and elevate their game.
- Number of Holes: 36
- Highlights: PGA tour host in 2022, La Quinta’s course offers 18 holes and three different tiers of membership opportunities.
- Number of Holes: 18
- Highlights: Established in 2007, The Madison is one of the newer clubs in the Palm Springs area. It features a parkland-style Tom Fazio-designed golf course, outfitted with ‘comfort stations’ offering snacks and refreshments at strategic points along the 18-hole course.
- Number of Holes: 18
- Highlights: With an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, flexible tee times, expansive practice grass and dedicated short game area, members at Mountain View enjoy a multitude of ways to improve their game.
- Number of Holes:18
- Highlights: Zero tee times and an emphasis on competition and speed characterize The Palms golf course. An 18-hole Fred Couples and Brian Curley-designed course, it is dotted with more than 2,000 date palms.
- Number of Holes: 18
- Highlights: A golfer’s paradise, PGA West boasts 9 total courses (5 resort and 4 private) designed by the likes of Pete Dye, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Tom Weiskopf.
- Number of Holes: 108
- Highlights: Rancho La Quinta offers two distinct championship golf courses to keep members challenged and engaged – a more traditional course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and a more modern option by former U.S. Open Champion, Jerry Pate.
- Number of Holes:
- Highlights: An exclusive club for ‘golf purists,’ The Quarry features a golf-only experience for passionate enthusiasts. Membership is by invitation only, and the Tom Fazio-designed championship course, short course and 18-hole putting course are recognized as some of the finest in the country.
- Number of Holes: 18
- Highlights: Established in 1996, The Tradition features an Arnold Palmer designed 18-hole championship course and a 9-hole short course set in the foothills of the surrounding mountains.
- Number of Holes: 18
Like palm trees and pastel buildings, there is no shortage of incredible opportunities for golf in Palm Springs. The warm weather and abundant sunshine make this region a perfect destination for golf, and the variety of clubs and courses throughout the valley offers something for everyone.
At The Springs, we offer members the ultimate golf lifestyle with both residential and non-residential memberships available. Our golf facilities include an 18-hole signature course by Desmond Muirhead, a 30-tee range, a short game practice area, and lessons with a former PGA professional. Start your journey with The Springs’ Membership Discovery Guide – a complete resource designed to help you find your perfect life in Rancho Mirage.
