Top 10 Public Golf Courses in Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs, California. If you love golf, this place is like heaven on earth. Blue skies, sunshine nearly every day of the year and mountains framing just about every hole you play. But here’s the thing. With so many great public golf courses in this desert oasis, it can be tough to pick where to tee it up. That’s where this list comes in handy. Today, you’re getting the inside scoop on the top 10 public golf courses in Palm Springs. From wide openen fairways to tricky water hazards and unforgettable mountain views, these courses deliver everything you could want in a round. Ready to see where you should play next? Let’s dive in. Number 10, Tquitz Creek Golf Resort. Kicking off our countdown at number 10 is Tarquitz Creek Golf Resort. This municipal facility offers two distinct 18-hole experiences, the Legend Course and the Resort Course. Both delivering solid desert golf at prices that won’t break the bank. The Legend Course, a Billy Bell senior design dating back to 1957, provides that classic Palm Springs feel with towering palms, mountain views, and strategic bunkering. Meanwhile, the resort course brings desert style target golf with native areas and challenging dog legs. Both tracks feature generous fairways that forgive the occasional weward drive, making Tuckitz Creek ideal for high handicappers or as a warm-up round at the beginning of your trip. Number nine, Shadow Hills Golf Club. Our number nine spot belongs to Shadow Hills Golf Club in India. The south course here is open to public play and delivers an experience that punches well above its price point. Designed by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley, Shadow Hills features dramatic bunkering, undulating fairways, and strategic water features that create both visual interest and playing challenges. The course layout is remarkably playable with landing areas that appear tighter from the tea than they are, a psychological test as much as a physical one. The Par 3s deserve special mention, each offering distinct challenges from various elevations and angles. What many players appreciate about Shadow Hills is the immaculate conditioning, particularly in the cooler months when the overseated ryrass creates carpet-like fairways against the backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Early morning tea times here are particularly magical as the sunlight first hits the mountain peaks while you play the front nine. Number eight, Simmeron Golf Resort. At number eight, we find Simmeron Golf Resort, a 36-hole facility featuring the Championship Boulder Course and the Shorter Pebble Course. The Boulder layout stretches over 7,000 yd from the tips, but offers multiple tea options that make it accessible to all skill levels. What sets Simmeron apart is its natural desert landscaping that seamlessly integrates with the golf experience. Rather than the manicured palm treel laden look of some Palm Springs courses, Simmeran embraces its desert setting with native vegetation and rugged aesthetics. The Boulder Course features generous landing areas off the tea, but demands precision on approach shots to wellprotected greens. Meanwhile, the Pebble course offers an excellent par three experience that can be completed in under 3 hours, perfect for beginners or those looking to sharpen their short game. Number seven, Silver Rock Resort. Moving up to number seven is Silver Rock Resort, a municipal course owned by the city of Lquinta that plays nothing like what you’d expect from city-owned golf. This Arnold Palmer design hosted the PGA Tours Bob Hope Classic from 2008 to 2011 with massive fairways framed by the stunning Santa Rosa Mountains, creating one of the most visually impressive settings in the desert. Silver Rock’s layout stretches to a challenging 7,578 yd from the championship TE’s, but remains enjoyable for average golfers playing from appropriate forward TE’s. The course features dramatic elevation changes, challenging bunkers, and several holes where the breathtaking mountain backdrops might distract you from your swing. The signature par 5 15th hole deserves special mention, a riskreward opportunity with water hugging the entire right side and views that will have you reaching for your camera. Keep your eyes open for the resident big horn sheep that occasionally make appearances on the mountain side holes. With excellent municipal management keeping conditions pristine and green fees typically lower than comparable resort courses, Silver Rock delivers a championship experience at a value price point. Number six, Indian Wells Golf Resort. Claiming our sixth position is the spectacular Indian Wells Golf Resort featuring two distinct championship courses, the Players and the Celebrity. Both ranked among Golf Digest’s top 20 courses in California. The Celebrity Course designed by Clive Clark dazzles with floral landscaping, dramatic water features, and white sand bunkers that create an almost theatrical golf experience. With undulating fairways and multiple riskreward opportunities, it’s equal parts challenging and entertaining. What truly elevates Indian Wells is the total experience. From the spectacular 53,000 square foot clubhouse to the high-end practice facilities and exceptional service, the resort’s shots in the night experience offers illuminated targets and glow-in-the-dark golf balls for evening entertainment, making this much more than just a daytime destination. Number five, Classic Club. Breaking into our top five is Classic Club, an Arnold Palmer signature design that hosted the Bob Hope Classic from 2006 to 2008. Unlike many desert courses, Classic Club presents a more lush, almost parkland feel with over 5,000 mature trees, 30 acres of water features, and rolling terrain that creates constant elevation changes. The layout is simultaneously beautiful and brutal with some of the most challenging holes in the Coachella Valley. Tournament quality conditioning is standard here with perfect fairways and greens that maintain consistent speed throughout the day. Classic club’s signature holes include the intimidating par 312th played over water to a peninsula green and the monstrous 653 yd par 518th that provides a memorable finishing challenge. The course’s location set back from the mountains means wind often becomes a significant factor, adding another layer of complexity to your round. Four, Desert Willow Golf Resort. At number four, we find Desert Willow Golf Resort, a 36-hole municipal facility in Palm Desert that rivals any private club in the region. The resort features two distinct Michael Herdzand Dana Fry designs. The challenging Firecliff course and the more playerfriendly Mountain View course. Firecliffe is the championship test featuring narrow landing areas over 100 strategically placed bunkers and numerous forced carries over desert areas. The course demands thoughtful shot placement rather than raw power with complex green surrounds that challenge even the most skilled short games. Mountain View offers a more forgiving experience while maintaining the same highquality design elements and conditioning. Both courses are environmental showcases featuring native desert landscaping that requires minimal water usage while providing habitat for local wildlife. Number three, Asena Golf Club. Our bronze medal position goes to Aena Golf Club, a Nicholas design masterpiece that combines strategic challenge with some of the most spectacular mountain views in the valley. Located in Palm Springs proper, Eskina’s open layout allows the Sanhasinto Mountains to feature prominently on nearly every hole, creating a dramatic backdrop that enhances the golfing experience. The coursearse layout is characterized by generous landing areas off the tea, but demands precision on approach shots to wellprotected greens with significant undulation. Water features come into play on several holes, most notably on the island green par 31 17th that provides a memorable late round challenge. The mid-century modern clubhouse deserves special mention. Housing one of the best restaurants in Palm Springs with a patio offering panoramic views of the course and mountains. From breakfast through sunset cocktails, Esena delivers a complete golf lifestyle experience that elevates it above many competitors. Number two, PGA West Stadium Course. [Music] Just missing the top spot is the legendary stadium course at PGA West. Pete Dyy’s masterpiece of design that ranks among the most challenging courses in America. Created specifically to test the skills of the world’s best players during the Bob Hope Classic, now the American Express, the stadium course combines strategic complexity with theatrical presentation. The course is famous for its diabolical finishing stretch, including the infamous Alcatraz Par 317th with its island green surrounded by imposing rock walls and the watery par418th with its seemingly endless carryover water. Throughout the round, dramatic mounding, deep bunkers, and severe penalties for missed targets create a championship test that demands your absolute best golf. For many golf enthusiasts, playing stadium represents a bucket list experience. A chance to test yourself on the same holes that have challenged PGA Tour professionals for decades. While not for the faint of heart or high handicappers, Stadium delivers an unforgettable golf experience that deserves its legendary status and number two ranking. Number one, Linta Resort and Club Mountain Course. Claiming our top spot is the extraordinary mountain course at Lquinta Resort and Club, a Pete Dye masterpiece that offers perhaps the most dramatic golf experience in the entire Coachella Valley. Unlike most desert courses built on relatively flat terrain, the mountain course is carved into the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, creating a playing experience that feels more like Colorado than California. From the opening hole, you’re immediately aware this is something special as you navigate tight corridors between rocky outcroppings and dramatic elevation changes. The front nine builds anticipation, but it’s the spectacular back 9 that elevates this course to legendary status with holes 13 through 16 climbing into the mountains to deliver some of the most visually stunning golf holes anywhere in America. The signature 16th hole deserves special mention. a downhill par4 with the entire Coacella Valley spread out below you, creating a moment of golfing transcendence that stays with players long after their round concludes. The finishing holes then descend back toward the resort, offering continued dramatic views and strategic challenges. For the combination of dramatic scenery, exceptional design, perfect conditioning, and the sheer joy of the playing experience, the mountain course at Linta Resort and Club earns our number one ranking among Palm Springs public courses. And there you have it, the top 10 public golf courses in Palm Springs, California. Whether you’re planning a full golf vacation or just sneaking in a quick weekend round, these courses offer everything you need. So, which one’s your favorite? Did your go-to course make the list, or is there a hidden gem out there we should know about? Drop a comment below and let’s talk golf. And hey, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and stay tuned because more epic golf guides are headed your way. Guides are headed
Top 10 Golf Courses in Palm Springs, CA – Best Public Golf Courses You Need to Play ⛳🌴
Ready to tee off in one of the best golf destinations in the world? Palm Springs, California, is home to some of the most scenic and challenging golf courses in the country. In this video, I count down the top 10 public golf courses in Palm Springs, highlighting each course’s unique features, stunning views, and must-play holes. Whether you’re a scratch golfer or a weekend warrior, this guide will help you find the perfect course for your next golf trip.
📌 Please note: Some footage in this video may not be of the actual courses mentioned but is included to enhance the viewing experience.
Courses Featured:
🏌️♂️ Desert Willow Golf Resort
🏌️♂️ Indian Wells Golf Resort
🏌️♂️ PGA WEST
🏌️♂️ Classic Club
🏌️♂️ La Quinta Resort & Club
🏌️♂️ SilverRock Resort
🏌️♂️ Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club
🏌️♂️ Escena Golf Club
🏌️♂️ Mission Hills North – Gary Player Signature Course
🏌️♂️ Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort
Why You’ll Love These Courses:
✅ Breathtaking Desert Views
✅ Championship-Level Layouts
✅ Play Where the Pros Play
✅ Courses for Every Skill Level
✅ Iconic California Sunshine
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