11.7.2023 Valerie Roca
Nestled in the heart of the sunny Coachella Valley, Rancho Mirage is a picturesque city renowned for its stunning landscapes, warm climate, and impressive golf course communities. From the exquisite country clubs to the stunning mountain ranges, Rancho Mirage offers an unparalleled lifestyle for golfers and retirees alike. In this vibrant and welcoming community, residents can enjoy a myriad of world-class amenities, including top-notch dining, lavish spas, and exclusive shopping.
Rancho Mirage Golf Course Communities
If you’re dreaming about spending your leisure time playing pickleball in the mornings and hitting the links in the afternoon, golf course communities offer unprecedented access to time on the greens as well as other active lifestyle amenities like fitness classes, racquet sports, and wellness centers. While Rancho Mirage is home to a multitude of options, it can be difficult to distinguish between them because the amenities are often similar.
However, each golf course community has unique characteristics, social cultures, membership options, and architectural styles. In this guide, we’ll walk you through each Rancho Mirage community to help you determine which one might be the best fit for your budget, lifestyle, and interests.
Because pricing varies considerably, we’ve broken it down as follows:
- Good - clubs having initiation fees of less than $10K
- Great - falling in the $10K-$50K
- Excellent - more than $50K to join
- Exceptional - more than $150K to join
Desert Island
- Amenities: 18-hole Desmund Muirhead-designed Golf Course, Dining
- Membership Options: Public and Semi-Private
- Pricing Tier: Good
- Style: Eclectic and welcoming
- Best for: Public access and enjoyable golf for all levels; the tranquil and trendy atmosphere
Mission Hills Country Club
- Amenities: Three Championship Courses, Dining, Fitness, Racquet Sports
- Membership Options: 2- Course Golf Membership, 3-Course Golf Membership and Social
- Pricing Tier: Great
- Style: Upscale and Bustling
- Best for: Diverse golfing experience, variety of courses, and famous for the LPGA tournament that was held there.
Morningside Country Club
- Amenities: 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, Dining, Fitness & Spa, Racquet Sports
- Membership Options: Private Golf and Social
- Pricing Tier: Excellent
- Style: Boutique and luxurious
- Best for: Multi-generational access to golf
Tamarisk Country Club
- Amenities: Golf, Fitness & Spa, Dining, Racquet Sports
- Membership Options: Golf and Social
- Pricing Tier: Excellent
- Style: Classic, elegant and timeless
- Best for: A challenging, yet enjoyable course
The Springs
- Amenities: 18-hole Desmond Muirhead-designed golf course, racquet sports, fitness and spa, dining, bocce, social activities
- Membership Options: Golf and Social
- Pricing Tier: Great
- Style: Vibrant and understated
- Best for: Year-round activities; diverse and welcoming membership
Thunderbird Country Club
- Amenities: Golf, Dining, Racquet Sports, Fitness
- Membership Options: Invitation-only Memberships
- Pricing Tier: Exceptional
- Style: Classic and traditional
- Best for: Challenging golf; prestigious club
While Rancho Mirage is undoubtedly home to several golf course communities, it’s clear that each offers a distinct member experience. Once you have a grasp of which clubs most appeal to your needs and budget, it's a good idea to reach out and schedule a tour so you can get a first-hand experience of the greens and a glimpse of what club life is like. Curious about the social side of golf club life? Be sure to check out each community on social media for a more in-depth look at each club’s day-to-day activities and events.
Choosing a golf course community is a big decision that will shape your leisure activities and social engagements for months if not years to come. For more tips on finding the best country club for your needs, download our free Membership Discovery Guide, or visit our Membership page for detailed information.
