Golfer’s Paradise

Putt your worries behind you

Nick Marcucci Golf

Golf can be a thorny game that takes years to perfect, but it can also provide a therapeutic release. Luckily for folks in the Coachella Valley, your perfect golf game is just a short drive away at any one of the following public courses. If you get tied up in the intensity of the game, remember Arnold Palmer’s famous advice: “I have a tip that can take five strokes off anyone’s golf game: It’s called an eraser.”


Tee off at Indian Wells Golf Resort & Spa, one of the premier destinations for play on the fairways. The diverse, 36-hole public golf facility was featured in Golfweek’s list, “Top 20 Best Courses You Can Play.” Novices, start your odyssey at Clive Clark’s Celebrity Course, which is Indian Wells’ lighted, nine-hole natural grass putting green. Advanced players, grab your clubs and head for John Fought’s Player’s Course, which features obliging fairway corridors. Celebrate your 11-under par 126 win at IW Club, the 53,000-square-foot clubhouse, also located at the resort.
Indian Wells Golf Resort
44500 Indian Wells Ln., Indian Wells.
760-346-4653
www.indianwellsgolfresort.com

Play on either of the two distinct courses — Dunes Course and Mountain Course — at La Quinta Resort & Club. Each 18-hole range measures over 6,700 yards and caters to an assortment of golfers with varying skills. Fun fact: These Pete Dye-designed grounds are also home to the World Cup.
La Quinta Resort & Club
50200 Avendia Vista Bonita, La Quinta.
760-564-4111
www.laquintaresort.com

Divided into two exemplary courses, the Gary Player Signature Course and Pete Dye Course, The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa is the definition of prestige in the desert. Named after their respective golfers and architects, these courses boast a par-72 layout, and quickly have become two of the most popular golf ranges in Palm Springs. The Gary Player Signature Course is straightforward and designed for players of all skill levels. It’s the only Gary Player course you’ll find in Palm Springs and the 7,062-yard design makes it the longer of the two Mission Hills courses. For golfers who want an even tougher game, the Pete Dye course presents a welcome challenge at the teebox. The winding course is full of bunkers, hidden pin placements and challenging greens — the perfect recipe for a tenacious golfer.
The Westin Mission Hills — Gary Player Signature Course & Pete Dye Course
• 71501 Dinah Shore Dr., Rancho Mirage
• 70705 Ramon Rd., Rancho Mirage.
800-727-8331
www.westinmissionhills.com

Designed by Pete Dye, Golf Magazine ranks the PGA West — TPC Stadium Course one of the Top 100 Courses in the World. It bears the distinction of being the original home of the Skins Game.Ace a hole-in-one on this course which course boasts 7,300 yards, with an 18-hole regulation / par-72. It’s home to PGA Tour hopefuls and provides five sets of tees, perfect for all skill levels. 
PGA West – TPC Stadium Course
56150 PGA Blvd., La Quinta.
800-727-8331
www.starwoodhotels.com

Fall in love with the lush greens at Desert Willow Golf Resort. Designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Dana Frye, and John Cook, you’ll find two 18-hole courses (Firecliff & Mountain View) here. Tee off this summer with friends or your spouse.
Desert Willow Golf Resort
38995 Desert Willow Dr., at Country Club, Palm Desert
760-346-7060
www.desertwillow.com

Nicklaus Design crafted the links at Escena Golf Club. This public course is 7,233 yards (par -72) and boasts 18-holes for championship play. Compete here for a delightfully challenging experience: It was also rated one of the Top 10 Public Courses in California by PGATOUR.com.
Escena Golf Club
1100 Clubhouse View Dr., Palm Springs
760-778-2737
www.escenagolf.com

SilverRock Resort is home of the Humana Challenge. Golf enthusiasts may also know it as an Arnold Palmer Classic Course. Its 7,578 yards makes it the longest layout in Palm Springs. It also features an 18-hole regulation course.
SilverRock Resort
79179 Ahmanson Ln., La Quinta.
760-777-8884
www.silverrock.org

The great Arnold Palmer has been a busy man. Aside from stamping his name on the course at Silver Rock Resort, he also had a hand in designing the fairways and greens at Classic Club. This impressive golf course boasts 7,305 yards (18-hole / par 72) of manicured landscape for play. Sessions also include forecaddies and a golf concierge. Classic Club was even home to the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 2006 and 2007.
Classic Club
75200 Northstar Resort Pkwy., Palm Desert.
760-601-3600
www.classicclubgolf.com

Hit the links in style on this Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed course. Desert Dunes Golf Club was voted one of the Best Public Courses in Southern California. Players love it for its extremely challenging, narrow fairways, fast greens, and abundance of water hazards. It also has varied elevation throughout. For the avid golfer, enjoy the course any day of the week.
Desert Dunes Golf Club
19300 Palm Dr., Desert Hot Springs.
760-251-5370
www.desertdunesgolf.com

Famed golf course architect Ted Robinson designed the 27-hole, Par 72 golf course at Rancho Las Palmas Country Club. The semi-private course was awarded four stars from Golf Digest. Shatter your handicap as you marvel at the breathtaking views surrounding the property.
Rancho Las Palmas Country Club
42000 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage.
760-862-4551
www.rlpcc.com

With three different nine-hole courses to conquer (Lagos, Vista, and Cielo), Desert Princess Country Club offers its golfers a “choose your own adventure” experience. Measuring 6,781 yards, the complete 27-hole regulation course is mostly flat and challenges players of all ages and skill levels. The layout provides four different sets of tees and each course boasts an impeccable landscape. Designed by David Rainville, Desert Princess is complete with practice greens, practice bunkers, and a golf academy.
Desert Princess Country Club
28555 Landau Blvd., Cathedral City.
760-322-1655
www.desertprincesscc.com

Divided into a north and south course, Indian Canyons Golf Resort is set against the striking background of the San Jacinto Mountains. The 36-hole facility is home to two distinct 18-hole, par-72 layouts that present a completely different experience for the avid player. The north course is the longer of the two and was designed by William F. Bell. The 6,943-yard course is dominated by a stunning view of the mountains along with six water hazards. For a different challenge, the south course is a favorite of women, and was recently remodeled by Casey O’Callahan. The course measures 6,582 yards and is nestled on undulating mounds and fairways. Visited by the likes of Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and several U.S. presidents, Indian Canyons Golf Resort has earned the mantle of “desert favorite.”
Indian Canyons Golf Resort
• 1100 E. Murray Canyon Dr., Palm Springs.
• 1097 Murray Canyon Dr., Palm Springs.
760-833-8700;
www.indiancanyonsgolf.com