Palm Springs Golf Guide

Palm Springs, with its warm weather and stunning desert scenery, is a golfer’s paradise. Home to numerous world-class golf courses, this desert oasis attracts golf enthusiasts from around the globe.  Get ready to tee off in style amidst breathtaking landscapes and enjoy an unforgettable golfing experience in Palm Springs.

Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort

Spectacular Scenery

Tahquitz Creek Golf Course boasts a captivating backdrop of the towering San Jacinto Mountains, blending the beauty of nature with the precision sport of golf. The awe-inspiring views provide a serene and peaceful environment for players to enjoy their game while immersing themselves in the picturesque desert landscape.

Two Challenging Courses

Golf enthusiasts can choose between two exceptional courses at Tahquitz Creek Golf Course – the Legend Course and the Resort Course. The Legend Course, designed by William F. Bell, is a par-72 championship course renowned for its unique layout featuring rolling fairways, well-placed bunkers, and challenging water hazards. Bell is best known for Torrey Pines and La Jolla Country Club. On the other hand, the Resort Course, designed by Ted Robinson, offers a slightly more forgiving experience suitable for players of all skill levels. Both courses promise an enjoyable yet demanding round of golf.

One of the highlights of playing at Tahquitz Creek Golf Course is the exceptionally maintained greens and fairways. The dedicated groundskeeping team ensures that each hole is pristine and provides an excellent playing surface for golfers. Whether a seasoned player or a beginner, you can expect nothing less than top-quality conditions on both courses.

Practice Facilities

Tahquitz Creek Golf Course also offers extensive practice facilities, perfect for those looking to finesse their skills or warm up before a round. The practice area includes 50 50-stall grass driving range, chipping green, and two large putting greens. Players can work on all aspects of their game in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

Tahquitz Creek Golf Academy

Tahquitz Creek offers daily instruction with PGA and LPGAQ instructors. They hold weekly group clinics, have private instructors, and offer a youth golf program.

Traditions Café

The Traditions Café is a great place to add up your score and grab a cold beverage after your round of golf or for a quick bite to eat before or after your round. With 8 high-definition televisions throughout the dining room and bar, you are certain to find your favorite team or the day’s top sporting events to enjoy. Serving breakfast and lunch, it includes a full bar with 12 beers on tap.

Indian Canyons Golf Resort

Discover the Oasis of Luxury at Indian Canyons Golf Resort in Palm Springs. With its stunning natural landscapes, impeccable course design, and luxurious amenities, this resort offers an unforgettable experience for both avid golfers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Natural Beauty

One of the most alluring aspects of Indian Canyons Golf Resort is its breathtaking surroundings. Set against the majestic San Jacinto Mountains backdrop, this resort boasts stunning views and lush green fairways that harmoniously blend into the desert landscape. Playing a round of golf here feels like stepping into a serene oasis with its abundant palm trees, vibrant flora, and water features.

World-Class Golf Courses

Indian Canyons Golf Resort features two championship golf courses that cater to players of all skill levels. The North Course, designed by renowned architect William F. Bell, offers a picturesque setting with strategically placed bunkers and challenging water hazards. This is a longer course of the two. The North course is par-72 and plays 6,943 yards.  Of the six water hazards on the course, the most notable is the lake between the 9th and 18th holes, home to the famous Disney fountain, which to this day shoots water over 100 feet into the air. Set in Palm Springs’ “Canyon” district and surrounded on three sides by the San Jacinto mountains, you can count on a pleasant, wind-free round of golf.

In 2004, architect Casey O’Callahan remodeled the 6,582-yard layout with player consultant LPGA legend Amy Alcott, who has helped make the South an area women’s favorite from the 4,878-yard forward tees. This scenic course is home to four ponds and 850 palm trees. Also, 500 Washingtonia Filifera, a cherished tree of the Agua Caliente Native American tribe, are abundant throughout the course. Golfers will enjoy the South’s five par 5’s to take on during the round.

Luxury Amenities

Beyond its exceptional golf courses, Indian Canyons Golf Resort offers many luxury amenities to enhance your stay. The clubhouse features a fully stocked pro shop with top-quality golf equipment and apparel. After a day on the greens, indulge in a delicious meal at the upscale restaurant, which offers a delectable range of cuisines to satisfy every palate. Additionally, the resort offers professional golf instruction and practice facilities, allowing guests to sharpen their skills or learn the basics of the game.

Cultural and Historic Significance

Indian Canyons Golf Resort holds significant historical and cultural importance, as it is located on the land of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The resort sits adjacent to the Indian Canyons, home to ancient palm groves, towering canyons, and breathtaking hiking trails. Exploring these natural wonders offers visitors a unique opportunity to connect with the rich Native American heritage and learn about the region’s fascinating history.

Dining at Indian Canyons Golf Resort

There is a North and South Course Restaurant. It is open for breakfast and lunch. The menu features breakfast favorites including Angus NY steak and eggs, breakfast burrito, and breakfast melt. For lunch, enjoy a sandwich, tacos, burger, or salad. The North clubhouse bar opens at 5 pm.

Note: Please check the times as the south restaurant closes during the summer.

Escena Golf Club

Discover the Exceptional Escena Golf Club in Palm Springs. Picture yourself standing on a lush green fairway surrounded by vibrant desert flora and the iconic palm trees that adorn Palm Springs. At Escena Golf Club, the captivating beauty of the desert seamlessly blends with meticulously maintained greens, offering golfers a visually pleasing experience like no other. The course’s design takes full advantage of its natural surroundings, providing panoramic vistas that will leave a lasting impression.

At Escena, you’ll find the ideal blend of scenery, style, location, and accessibility.

A Modern Classic

Designed by the acclaimed golf course architect Jack Nicklaus II, Escena Golf Club showcases his expertise in creating challenging yet playable layouts.  The 18-hose championship layout stretches nearly 7,200 yards. With wide fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and water hazards, the course offers a fair test for players of all skill levels. Every hole presents unique challenges, requiring thoughtful shot placement and precise execution to navigate the course successfully.

Escena offers a formidable test for the skilled player, but with four sets of tees, two additional combo tee options, and room to roam, how you satisfy your appetite for the challenge is entirely up to you.

Unforgettable Amenities

Beyond the impressive golf course, Escena Golf Club offers an array of amenities to enhance your overall experience. The modern clubhouse features a pro shop with the latest golf equipment and apparel. After a challenging round, relax and unwind at the Escena Lounge & Grill, where you can savor delicious cuisine and refreshing beverages while soaking in breathtaking views of the course.

Escena Grill

Escena Grill pairs delectable California fusion cuisine with a retro vibe, eye-popping design, and incomparable views. Open year-round to the public, the Escena Lounge & Grill offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday Brunch, happy hour, and seasonal promotions. Their dog-friendly patio boasts one of the most remarkable outdoor dining vistas in Palm Springs.

Escena Golf Shop

A visit to Escena isn’t complete without a stop in their dramatic golf shop. Stocked with the latest brand-name apparel and accessories, you’ll find something to remind you of Escena wherever you may be. If you want something that’s not out on our floor or need a customized item for your group or event, they can help.

Don’t feel like dragging your clubs through an airport and paying extra baggage fees for the hassle? Escena offers the latest premium rental clubs to help you travel light and enjoy your round.

Palm Springs is a golfer’s paradise, and Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort, Indian Canyons Golf Resort, and Escena Golf Club offer exceptional golf experiences in this beautiful desert region. Whether you’re an avid golfer or just looking to enjoy a memorable round amidst stunning scenery, these courses provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable golfing adventure. So, grab your clubs, soak in the warm desert sun, and tee off at these incredible Palm Springs golf courses for an experience you will remember.

O’Donnell Golf Club

The O’Donnell Golf Club, located in downtown Palm Springs, is a private club. While visitors cannot play this course today, it does have historical significance to Palm Springs.

It was the brainchild of Thomas O’Donnell, who owned the home above the course. He came to Palm Springs in the 1920s seeking relief from a respiratory condition. He purchased land in 1925, and just two years later, the O’Donnell course was open for play. The course was built near the Desert Inn, a world-famous hotel and top choice for Hollywood’s elite and anyone wanting a premier lodging experience in Palm Springs. Bob Hope was a member for over 40 years.

In 1944, O’Donnell organized the club as a private, non-profit club, and 25 initial members were named trustees to hold the club’s 99-year lease from the city of Palm Springs. At that time, the philanthropist O’Donnell gave the entire golf course property to the city of Palm Springs. With the creation of the lease and deed, O’Donnell ensured that his friends, their descendants, and countless others could enjoy his creation well beyond his lifetime, and the city would eventually acquire a most valuable and beautiful piece of land at the base of the mountains.

Today, the club continues the philanthropic efforts of its founder by hosting a wide variety of charitable events benefiting numerous desert organizations. The lease from the city of Palm Springs expires on Oct. 31, 2043, at which time the property is to be named the Thomas A. O’Donnell Municipal Park. It would be a fitting tribute to O’Donnell’s graciousness and generosity if city fathers had the foresight to keep the golf course open for play at that time.