CHECK OUT THESE COURSES:
Classic Club PALM DESERT Featuring an upscale Arnold Palmer Signature Design, this course is known for its excellent playing condition on a challenging 7,322-yard, par-72 layout that has hosted the PGA TOUR’ s Bob Hope Classic. The course features elevated tee boxes, water hazards on 14 holes, six teeing areas, and generous fairways surrounded by mountain vistas. The Troon-managed facility is sanctioned by Audubon International for environmental sustainability.
Desert Island Golf Course RANCHO MIRAGE Once a private country club, this par- 72 championship course was built by Desmond Muirhead in 1971 and features sloping, tree-lined fairways mapped around a 25-acre lake with a scenic mountain backdrop. Measuring at 6,718 yards from the back tees, the course was designed for easy walking and offers six teeing areas for all playing abilities.
Desert Willow Golf Resort PALM DESERT This award-winning municipal facility offers two par-72 courses: the more demanding 7,056-yard Firecliff Course and the more forgiving 6,913-yard Mountain View Course— each nestled below the Santa Rosa Mountains with a sustainable, eco-friendly course design. Both courses typically feature pristine conditions, generous bunkering, and multiple tee boxes in the picturesque Coachella Valley desert terrain. It was designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, Eric Johnson, and PGA Tour professional John Cook.
Eagle Falls Golf Club INDIO Rated in Golfweek’ s Top-50 Casino Courses, this par-72 Clive Clark design is located at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Opened in 2007, the mountain-ringed course measures up to 6,715 yards and boasts dramatic elevation changes and water features on nine holes. Indio is located 23 miles east of Palm Springs.
Escena Golf Club PALM SPRINGS This Jack Nicklaus-designed par-72 layout is rated among California’ s top public courses. A test for skilled players from 7,173 yards, this course features contoured greens, strategic water hazards, and bunkering. Six teeing options are offered. Surrounded by palms and adjacent desert landscape, golfers enjoy picturesque views of the San Jacinto Mountains on this playing oasis located near downtown Palm Springs.
Indian Canyons Golf Resort PALM SPRINGS Once a classic hot spot for Hollywood stars and host of the Frank Sinatra Invitational, this resort has been called“ wind free” due to the scenic surrounding San Jacinto Mountains. The original par-72, 6,943-yard North Course opened in 1961 and has six water hazards, including the 100-foot Disney Fountain between holes 9 and 18. The South Course features five par-5s and was remodeled in 2004 by architect Casey O’ Callahan and LPGA legend Amy Alcott.
Indian Wells Golf Resort INDIAN WELLS This resort offers two par-72 courses. The Celebrity Course, designed by Clive Clark, is known for its undulating fairways, streams, and waterfalls. The more challenging Players Course, a 7,376-yard layout designed by John Fought, features sculpted bunkers and classic hole designs. The resort has hosted Golf Channel’ s“ Big Break” and PGA’ s Skins Game. Both courses offer multiple teeing areas and are ranked in Golfweek’ s top-25 Best Municipal Courses in the U. S.
Marriott Shadow Ridge Golf Club PALM DESERT A Nick Faldo Signature Design, this picturesque Coachella Valley desert tract is set against the snow-capped Santa Rosa Mountains. The par-71 course features generous fairways, strategic bunkering, and subtly undulating greens that have been described as“ fast, but fair” for a funto-play option for resort guests. Measuring up to 7,006 yards, Shadow Ridge offers 10 teeing options.
PGA WEST LA QUINTA This resort community offers five courses for public play, including Pete Dye’ s Stadium Course and Jack Nicklaus’ s Tournament Course, which will host the PGA TOUR’ s 2026 American Express tournament in January. The Stadium Course measures 7,300 yards and is known for its No. 17“ Alcatraz” island green and water-guarded 18th hole. The Tournament Course measures 7,204 yards, has two island greens and is called a“ ball striker’ s course.” With 102 bunkers and water on nine holes, the Greg Norman Course has been described as“ challenging, but fair.” The Pete Dyedesigned Mountain Course and Dunes Course also offer scenic and enjoyable rounds that include elevated tee boxes, well-bunkered greens, and Dye’ s signature pot bunkers. Walls of Santa Rosa Mountain rock are in play on five holes of the Mountain Course.
Desert Willow Golf Resort
32 V IRGINIA G OLFER | N o v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r 2025 vsga. org