PGA WEST
Follow the sun to Greater Palm Springs, where fairways and desert beauty meet timeless charm
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COURSES
G
OLF IN THE CALIFORNIA DESERT feels like a magical oasis with typically sunny skies, swaying palm trees, lush green fairways, and colorful flora surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
It’ s easy to get distracted by so much natural beauty in Greater Palm Springs. The courses you play are loaded with stories of Hollywood history makers, Rat Pack shenanigans, former golfing U. S. presidents, and the golf-tournament influence of such entertainment luminaries as Bob Hope, Dinah Shore, and Frank Sinatra. This was the playground they made famous as the nearby Los Angeles getaway for the rich and renowned.
Of course, this region is still a hot spot for today’ s top golfers. The LPGA Tour played its season-opening major championship in Rancho Mirage for 51 years, from 1972-2022. The PGA TOUR’ s American Express will return in 2026 to PGA West’ s Pete Dye Stadium Course, Nicklaus Tournament Course, and La Quinta Country Club from January 22-25.
And while this area’ s golf courses offer both scenic and challenging rounds for amateurs of all levels, its desert dining and sightseeing are equally delicious and diverse. Numerous resorts and hotels in the Greater Palm Springs area certainly cater to guests’ comfort and satisfaction, but you can also go off the grid for some desert hikes or to view the storied region in a soaring tram excursion far from the manicured fairways.
Many of the course and dining recommendations below come from World Golf Hall of Famers and longtime desert residents Patty Sheehan and Amy Alcott. They’ ll help you get started— but chances are, you’ ll quickly discover your own favorites during your winter getaway. And most likely, you’ ll return for more.
N OVEMBER / D ECEMBER 2025 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 31