Palm Springs
Forty miles of desert floor, more than 100 courses, and the mountain light that makes the Coachella Valley singular.
Photo courtesy of Visit Greater Palm Springs · Visit Greater Palm Springs
State
California
Courses
10
Green Fees
$25–$366
Best Months
Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Airport
Palm Springs International (PSP) (10-15 minutes)
The Coachella Valley runs roughly 40 miles from Palm Springs at its western edge to Indio at its eastern boundary, with Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and La Quinta filling the space between. More than 100 golf courses occupy this corridor. The concentration is difficult to overstate: from almost any hotel in the valley, a dozen courses sit within a 20-minute drive. The San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountain ranges frame the valley on two sides, rising...
Read our full editorial guide →Quick Facts
- Best months
- Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
- Courses
- 10
- Green fee range
- $25–$366
- Nearest airport
- Palm Springs International (PSP) (10-15 minutes)
- Rental car
- Essential
Courses Worth the Trip
10 courses across Palm Springs
Bucket List
PGA West — Stadium Course
Palm Springs, California
Pete Dye's desert proving ground, where the 17th island green is the most famous hole you will probably lose a ball on.
USD 146–264ResortPete Dye (1986)
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Premium
Desert Willow Golf Resort — Firecliff
Palm Springs, California
The more demanding half of Desert Willow, rated among the top public courses in California, where desert washes and elevation changes create a round that earns its reputation.
USD 73–217PublicMichael Hurdzan / Dana Fry / John Cook (1997)
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Premium
Indian Wells Golf Resort — Players Course
Palm Springs, California
John Fought's homage to classic American architecture, stretched to 7,376 yards across the Coachella Valley floor.
USD 72–199ResortJohn Fought (2007)
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Premium
PGA West — Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course
Palm Springs, California
The most expensive public tee time in the Coachella Valley, with two island greens and Q-School pedigree to justify it.
USD 94–366ResortJack Nicklaus, Rick Jacobson, Thomas Pearson (1987)
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Mid-Range
Desert Willow Golf Resort — Mountain View
Palm Springs, California
Desert Willow's gentler layout, where the mountain views outperform the scorecard difficulty and the conditioning matches its tougher sibling.
USD 73–200PublicMichael Hurdzan / Dana Fry / John Cook (1998)
GolfNowBook tee time
Mid-Range
Escena Golf Club
Palm Springs, California
Generous corridors, clear sightlines, and the widest green-fee range in the valley make Escena the course that fits every budget.
USD 59–204PublicNicklaus Design (2005)
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Mid-Range
Indian Wells Golf Resort — Celebrity Course
Palm Springs, California
Split-level lakes, waterfalls, and television history on a resort course that prioritizes visual drama over strategic subtlety.
USD 72–199ResortClive Clark (2006)
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Mid-Range
SilverRock Resort (Arnold Palmer Classic Course)
Palm Springs, California
A former Bob Hope Classic host that charges municipal rates. The value gap between what SilverRock costs and what it delivers is the widest in the valley.
USD 80–218PublicArnold Palmer (2005)
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Mid-Range
The Classic Club
Palm Springs, California
Arnold Palmer's longest Coachella Valley design, with Bermuda greens and a Bob Hope Classic pedigree.
USD 80–230PublicArnold Palmer (2006)
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Hidden Value
Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort — Legend Course
Palm Springs, California
The cheapest legitimate round in the Coachella Valley, on a 1959 municipal course with 40 Palmer-era bunkers and peak-season green fees under $65.
USD 25–65PublicWilliam F. Bell (1959); Arnold Palmer renovation (1996)
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Photo courtesy of Visit Greater Palm Springs
Where to Stay
12 options near the courses
Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Palm Desert
Palm Springs, California
Two miles from Desert Willow with Bonvoy points and free parking, in the center of the golf corridor.
From $90/nightDesert Willow (2 mi)
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Hotel
Embassy Suites by Hilton La Quinta Hotel & Spa
Palm Springs, California
All-suite format with an on-site spa and restaurant, splitting the difference between resort and budget.
From $120/nightPGA West (4 mi)
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Hotel
Homewood Suites by Hilton La Quinta
Palm Springs, California
Full kitchens and complimentary breakfast three miles from PGA West, at one-third the resort price.
From $110/nightPGA West (3 mi)
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Hotel
ARRIVE Palm Springs
Palm Springs, California
Thirty-two rooms, no front desk, and a mid-century design sensibility on walkable North Palm Canyon Drive.
From $150/nightTahquitz Creek (4 mi)
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Resort
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Palm Springs, California
The valley's largest resort, with 884 rooms, a gondola waterway, and 36 holes on the grounds.
From $250/nightDesert Willow (5 mi)
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Resort
La Quinta Resort & Club, Curio Collection by Hilton
Palm Springs, California
Five PGA West courses without a car, 42 pools, and the address that defines Coachella Valley golf.
From $200/nightOn-site golf
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Vacation Rental
Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas
Palm Springs, California
Adjacent to Indian Wells Golf Resort with discounted green fees and a central valley position.
From $200/nightIndian Wells Golf Resort (adjacent)
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Resort
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
Palm Springs, California
A family-calibrated resort in Rancho Mirage where Splashtopia and a 27-hole course share the grounds.
From $200/nightIndian Wells Golf Resort (5 mi)
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Resort
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa
Palm Springs, California
Indian Wells location at a lower entry price than the Grand Hyatt next door, with free bikes and Bonvoy points.
From $180/nightIndian Wells Golf Resort (adjacent)
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Hotel
Best Western Date Tree Hotel
Palm Springs, California
The lowest branded-hotel rate in the Coachella Valley, for golfers who trade driving time for green fees.
From $70/nightSilverRock (8 mi)
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Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Palm Desert
Palm Springs, California
The value-tier entry point in Palm Desert: complimentary breakfast, free parking, and no pretense.
From $80/nightDesert Willow (4 mi)
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Hotel
Motel 6 Palm Springs Downtown
Palm Springs, California
The absolute floor of the valley's accommodation market, in a walkable downtown location.
From $50/nightTahquitz Creek (3 mi)
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Off the Fairway
Non-golf activities and companion experiences
Cultural
1.5-2.5 hours
Celebrity Homes Golf Cart Tour
Palm Springs, California
Sinatra, Elvis, and Liberace estates by electric golf cart, with the architecture that explains them.
$50-$75/person
ViatorBook activity
Dining
3-4 hours
Covered Wagon BBQ & Desert Tour
Palm Springs, California
Mule-drawn wagons, chuckwagon brisket, and desert stargazing that outperforms the description.
$139/person
ViatorBook activity
Dining
2-4 hours
El Paseo Shopping District
Palm Springs, California
One mile of galleries, boutiques, and restaurants along Palm Desert's palm-lined boulevard.
Free to browse
PartnerBook activity
Adventure
3-4 hours total
Hot Air Balloon over Coachella Valley
Palm Springs, California
Sunrise silence above the desert floor, with the mountains lit from behind and champagne on landing.
$250-$300/person
ViatorBook activity
Adventure
3-4 hours
Indian Canyons Bike & Hike Tour
Palm Springs, California
A 10-mile bike loop and canyon hike on Cahuilla lands, combining fitness with cultural history.
$55-$85/person
ViatorBook activity
Cultural
4-5 hours
Joshua Tree National Park Guided Tour
Palm Springs, California
Where the Sonoran and Mojave deserts meet, 45 minutes from your first tee time.
$89-$150/person (guided half-day)
ViatorBook activity
Cultural
2-4 hours
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Palm Springs, California
A 5,783-foot ascent from desert floor to alpine forest in 10 minutes, with the valley spread below.
Adults $34.95, Seniors $31.95, Children 3-10 $20.95
ViatorBook activity
Cultural
1.5-3 hours
Palm Springs Art Museum
Palm Springs, California
Mid-century modern design and contemporary art in a downtown museum that explains Palm Springs' architecture.
Adults $14, Seniors $12, Students $6, Under 18 free; Thursday after 5 p.m. free
PartnerBook activity
Adventure
3 hours
San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour
Palm Springs, California
Three hours in the fault zone where tectonic plates meet, with geology that earns the detour.
$99-$175/person
ViatorBook activity
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Cultural
3-5 hours
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Palm Springs, California
Desert wildlife, botanical gardens, and giraffe feeding on 1,800 acres in Palm Desert.
Adults $39.95, Children 3-17 $29.95
PartnerBook activity
Plan Your Trip
Pre-planned itineraries for Palm Springs
Best Value Trip
Best Value: Three Nights, Five Rounds
Five rounds on municipal and public courses that punch above their green fees.
4 daysUSD 900–1600/person
Bucket List Trip
The Bucket List: Four Nights in the Desert
Four courses, three architectural voices, and the top of the Coachella Valley's public card.
5 daysUSD 2200–3800/person
Long Weekend
The Long Weekend: Two Nights, Two Marquee Rounds
Two nights, two rounds at opposite ends of the design spectrum, and time for the desert itself.
3 daysUSD 800–1500/person
Planning Your Trip
Airports, rental cars, seasonal pricing, and local knowledge for Palm Springs.
From the Editorial
Articles covering Palm Springs
Opinion
Naples vs Palm Springs: Snowbird Golf Compared
Comparing Naples' upscale Gulf Coast golf with Palm Springs' desert resort courses for winter snowbird golf trips.
Opinion
Palm Springs vs Hawaii: Winter Sun Golf
Comparing the Coachella Valley's accessible desert golf with Hawaii's volcanic resort courses for winter golf escapes.
Destination Guide
Destination Guide
Course Guide
Course Guide
Course Guide
Destination Guide
Destination Guide