Tee Off in Paradise: The 10 Best Golf Courses in Palm Desert

Tom Brady

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Discover the top 10 golf courses in Palm Desert, California, offering unparalleled beauty and challenge. From championship designs by golf legends to scenic resort courses, plan your ultimate golf trip in this desert oasis.

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Desert Willow Golf Resort

Featuring two championship courses, Firecliff and Mountain View, Desert Willow Golf Resort is a must-play destination in Palm Desert. Designed by Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry, these courses offer a unique blend of desert landscaping, strategically placed bunkers, and undulating fairways that will test golfers of all skill levels.

Firecliff Course

The first of two courses built at the Desert Willow Golf Resort, the Firecliff Course is a beautiful test routed through natural desert surroundings, numerous water features and more than 100 bunkers and waste areas. The course, which opened in 1997 and has been among the top courses in the California by Golf Pass readers, was designed by the team of Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry along with input from former PGA Tour player John Cook. Playing more than 7,000 yards from the tips, it’s a little longer than the resort’s other course, the Mountain Course, which was also designed by Hurdzan Fry and Cook. The course has a great variety of holes and doglegs as well as greens, which feature plenty of contours. Highlights of Firecliff include a couple of short par 4s, including the 331-yard sixth, which has a peninsula green protected by water. The finishing stretch is particularly daunting, Developed by the city of Palm Desert, Desert Willow Golf Resort also offers excellent practice facilities and a well-stocked golf shop and terrific dining in its clubhouse.

Indian Wells Golf Resort

Home to two award-winning courses, the Players Course and the Celebrity Course, Indian Wells Golf Resort offers a premium golfing experience. The Players Course, designed by John Fought, boasts narrow fairways and challenging greens, while the Celebrity Course, designed by Clive Clark, features breathtaking views and immaculate conditions.

PGA West

As one of the most prestigious golf communities in the United States, PGA West offers five championship courses designed by golf legends such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Pete Dye. Each course presents its own set of challenges, from daunting water hazards to treacherous bunkers, ensuring an unforgettable golfing experience.

The Vintage Club

With its lush landscaping and serene atmosphere, The Vintage Club is a golfer’s paradise. This exclusive private club features two 18-hole courses, the Mountain Course and the Desert Course, both of which showcase meticulous attention to detail and breathtaking views of the surrounding desert landscape.

SilverRock Resort

Designed by Arnold Palmer, SilverRock Resort offers a challenging yet rewarding golf experience set against the backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains. This public course features expansive fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and strategically placed bunkers, providing golfers with an unforgettable round of golf.

Bighorn Golf Club

Nestled amidst the rugged beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Bighorn Golf Club offers two championship courses, the Mountains Course and the Canyons Course. Designed by Arthur Hills and Tom Fazio respectively, these courses showcase stunning desert vistas and challenging yet playable layouts.

Shadow Ridge Golf Club

Designed by Nick Faldo, Shadow Ridge Golf Club offers a challenging yet enjoyable golfing experience for players of all skill levels. This Marriott-owned resort course features lush fairways, expansive bunkers, and stunning mountain views, making it a favorite among visitors to Palm Desert.

Desert Falls Country Club

This lush, 18-hole championship course features rolling fairways, strategically placed water hazards, and meticulously manicured greens. Designed by Ron Fream, Desert Falls Country Club offers a challenging yet enjoyable golfing experience in the heart of Palm Desert.

Palm Valley Country Club

Boasting two Ted Robinson-designed championship courses, Palm Valley Country Club offers golfers a unique blend of challenge and beauty. With its scenic water features, strategically placed bunkers, and stunning mountain views, Palm Valley provides an unforgettable golfing experience for players of all levels.

Marriott's Shadow Ridge

Tucked away in the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Club offers a scenic and challenging golf experience. Designed by Nick Faldo, this 18-hole championship course features expansive fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and stunning mountain views.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Palm Desert’s public golf courses offer a gateway to an extraordinary golfing experience amidst stunning desert landscapes. From challenging layouts to picturesque fairways, these courses cater to golfers of all levels, promising moments of exhilaration and triumph.

As you reflect on your time spent navigating the greens of Palm Desert, the journey continues beyond the fairways. Treat yourself to rejuvenating massages, unwind with refreshing happy hours, and immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife scene at Palm Desert’s top bars and lounges. And when it’s time to savor exquisite culinary delights, indulge in succulent steaks at the city’s finest steakhouses.

Explore more articles in our Palm Springs golf trip series to discover the best ways to complement your golfing adventure:

Relax and Rejuvenate: Top Massage Options in Palm Springs
Unwind and Savor: Best Happy Hours in Palm Springs
Sip in Style: Palm Springs’ Finest Bars and Lounges
Steakhouse Sensations: Where to Find the Best Steaks in Palm Springs

As you bid farewell to Palm Desert’s public courses, cherish the memories of your golfing escapades and look forward to crafting new ones on future visits to this desert oasis.