Palm Springs & Desert Golf
ยท By GoldenPath Guide Editorial Team
Palm Springs, in the Coachella Valley, is one of the great winter-golf destinations on earth. Ringed by the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains and home to more than a hundred courses, it delivers a desert golf experience you will not find anywhere else in the state — dramatic, warm and sun-splashed. It is the California desert golf experience in its purest form.
The desert golf experience
Desert golf is its own animal. Fairways are generous, but the surrounding terrain is unforgiving — baked ground, native scrub and rocky outcrops that swallow stray balls. Elevated greens, strong afternoon winds and island-style hazard designs test precision. It is both scenic and strategic, a game played against the landscape as much as your card.
When to play
The valley’s season runs roughly October through April, with the best conditions in late fall and early spring. Summer is genuinely hot — design and scheduling push most play to the coolest hours, and some courses reduce hours or close outright. If you want the classic sunny desert round, aim for the cooler months, when mornings are crisp and afternoons warm.
Standout courses
PGA West — TPC Stadium
Pete Dye’s infamous Stadium course at PGA West is the most famous round in the valley. It is so demanding that PGA Tour players reportedly objected to its difficulty when it debuted in 1987, and it remains one of the toughest resort courses on the planet. Its calling card is the par-3 17th — the “Alcatraz” island green, one of the most fearsome par 3s anywhere.
The island-green 17th
The 17th at the Stadium course is a short-to-mid iron over water to a small, heavily bunkered island green. The wind off the mountains makes club selection a guessing game every time. A ball in the water (or in the bunkers) is easy; holding the green is a genuine achievement. It is a hole you will talk about long after the round, for better or worse.
Other PGA West courses & alternatives
- PGA West Mountain — another Pete Dye design, equally scenic but more forgiving than the Stadium.
- PGA West Nicklaus Tournament — co-host of the American Express, with tiered greens and risk-reward par 5s.
- Rams Hill (Borrego Springs) — a Tom Fazio desert oasis, seasonal and quieter.
- Desert Willow & Classic Club — popular daily-fee options with excellent conditioning and a friendlier test.
Practical tips for a desert round
- Hydrate. Even in cooler months, arid air and heat are deceptively draining. Drink more than you think you need.
- Protect against the sun. Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are essential — there is little shade in the desert.
- Book morning tee times. First-tee slots are coolest and least windy, and they sell out first.
- Watch the wind. Mountain breezes can add or subtract a club on many holes, and the gusts are strongest in the afternoon.
- Respect the desert. Stay on the groomed surfaces; the surrounding scrub is harsh and protects native wildlife.
Around the golf
The Coachella Valley rewards a full trip. Alongside the golf, the area offers the Palm Springs Art Museum, aerial tramway rides up San Jacinto, desert hikes in the San Andreas fault country, and a dining scene that runs from casual taco spots to fine California restaurants. It is a complete winter getaway — golf, sunshine and scenery all in one, with the mountains as a constant backdrop.
Getting there
Palm Springs sits about two hours east of Los Angeles by road, and the larger Coachella Valley is served by the Palm Springs International Airport, along with nearby Ontario and San Diego. The valley is easy to get around by car, and most courses charge modest resort or parking fees.
When to book
Because the valley is a winter destination, the October through April season is the most in demand. Book tee times well ahead, especially for weekend mornings and for the famous Stadium course. If you’re flexible, weekday and afternoon slots are far easier to secure.
With its combination of dramatic mountains, warm sunshine and top-tier golf, Palm Springs stays one of the most rewarding golf getaways in the American West.