The Best Golf Courses in and Around Palm Desert to Visit on Your Next Vacation!

Palm Desert is a California city that is home to many great country clubs, shops, boutiques, and art galleries. It is a well known vacation destination for its gorgeous views and year round warm weather. Since Palm Desert is warm all year round, it is great to come by during all seasons. There are tons of great outdoor activities that will be fun for you and your family! 

When you’re there, you will have the option to visit one of several great golf courses. All you have to do is decide on the one that’s best for you! And that part will be quite easy since we’ve already listed out some of the best golf courses in the area. Just keep on reading to find out which one you should choose!

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1. Shadow Mountain Golf Club

Golf club with events planned throughout the year

73800 Ironwood St | Palm Desert | golfshadowmountain.com

Shadow Mountain Golf Club is Palm Desert’s public golf course. This is one of the few golf courses in the desert that can still be walked. Located just a few blocks from the El Paseo shopping district, Shadow Mountain is the Valley’s first 18 hole public putting course. At this golf course, you’ll find fun events happening year round. 

This golf course is where the community goes out to play. It is known as a desert and community hub because of all the fun that’s had there. It is also a historic site. Shadow Mountain Golf Club was designated a National Landmark by the City of Palm Desert over a decade ago. 

At Shadow Mountain, you can get a membership, set up tournaments, and fun events. They even have a place to eat on site called Birdie Bar & Grill. If you’re not very advanced when it comes to playing golf, there is a section of this golf club that’s best suited for you. Some spots are even suited for kid golfers. No matter how much or how little you’ve played golf before, this golf club can be great for you to visit!

“Breathtaking Views. Beautiful Landscape. Welcoming Atmosphere. I can't say enough good things about Shadow Mountain Golf Club. The picturesque course is fantastic and the professional staff is super helpful and friendly. You'll love playing the course...and it's affordable.  As an added bonus Shadow Mountain Golf Club features "The Flamingo," which is an 1-acre 18 hole putting green- great fun for adults and kiddos alike!”–Yelp Review 

2. Indian Wells Golf Resort 

One of the best municipal courses in the country

44500 Indian Wells Ln | Indian Wells | indianwellsgolfresort.com

Indian Wells Resort is a 36 hole golf resort in Palm Springs. It features a 53,000 square foot clubhouse and is just minutes away from the Palm Springs International Airport. It is one of the few golf resorts to have two different courses ranked as one of the to 25 “Best Municipal Courses in the United States” by Golfweek Magazine. 

Indian Wells is known to have hosted some significant events over the years. Its Celebrity Course and Players Course have hosted Golf Channel’s Big Break and the PGA’s Skins Game. This place is ideal for golf tournaments and fun group outings. It is set up perfectly for it. 

Indian Wells Golf Resort has an incredible atmosphere that makes it suited for more than just golf. People go there to host their dream wedding ceremonies, receptions, and family getaways. It is located within walking distance of four different luxury hotels, so you’ll have a good choice of places to stay near the golf resort. 

“I've always had great experiences golfing here. The pro shop is beyond friendly, the cart attendants are always making conversation, and the bar always has been above and beyond. The course is kept up very nicely and the greens are medium-fast, at least compared to other courses I have played. I will always suggest the celebrity course over the other, but that is probably because I have better scores there lol. I'll be back!”–Yelp Review 

3. SilverRock Golf Resort

Large resort with gorgeous mountain views

79179 Ahmanson Ln | La Quinta | silverrock.org

SilverRock Golf Resort’s Arnold Palmer Classic Course is a whole 7,239 yards, over 200 acres with massive bunkers and gorgeous water features. This golf course is set against the background of the Santa Rosa Mountains, so there are amazing views overall. And it was the home of the PGA tour’s Bob Hope Classic for a few years. When you try out this course for yourself, you will understand just why it is so great. 

SilverRock not only provides a great place for golfing, they provide other helpful accommodations. You can get food right on site. Their restaurant, the SilverRock Grill is open daily from 5am to 6pm for breakfast and lunch. There is also plenty of indoor and outdoor seating so you can choose to enjoy the fresh air or the comfort of sitting inside. 

If you want to improve your skills in any way, you have the option for PGA golf instruction! Whether you are a beginner or a more seasoned player who simply wants to improve your game, you can learn to do that at this golf resort. You will get to learn your favorite sport underneath amazing mountain views. 

“This public course is very well maintained and beautiful to golf at. There are lots of bunkers and some water so I appreciate the red tees' position especially on par 5 holes. The staff is all super nice and their restaurant has good food. It's one of the nicer public courses I've ever golfed at. The resident card is well worth the investment. It's a great place to enjoy a day of gold.”–Yelp Review 

4. Palm Royale Country Club

The perfect golf course for experienced players and beginners alike

78259 Indigo Dr | La Quinta | palmroyalecc.com

Palm Royale Country Club is a gated community surrounding a walking golf course. The golf course is a challenging 18 hole golf course. The surrounding community consists of 354 condos with a great golf course and mountain views. There are also plenty of great amenities for everyone there to enjoy. There are six pools and spas and six tennis and pickleball courts. So if you ever want a break from golf, there is always so much more to do! 

If you’re a beginner, there are great accommodations for you at Palm Royale. There is a “Desert’s Premier Par 3 Course” that caters to beginners and more experienced golfers that want to work on their short game. It is an 18 hole par 3 course that is over 2000 yards and made for walking only. There is a fast pace of play and an overall great opportunity to improve your game while getting some fresh air and exercise. 

You can always go there for a quick visit or even get a membership if this is somewhere you want to go on the regular. With how great this resort is overall, you’ll likely want to keep coming back. At least for your next vacation! 

“This place is a gem.  Very well maintained 18 hole, short par 3's. The price is unbeatable and super fun. Best place to practice your short game. Been here twice early mornings on weekends and had a blast. Played the course in less than 2 hours both times. Staff are nice and friendly. I love the picture and scorecard of the course record at the pro shop. Will be coming back!”–Yelp Review 

5. Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Course

Resort with close proximity to family friendly destinations

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9002 Shadow Ridge Rd | Palm Desert | marriott.com

Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Golf Course is nestled inside a resort that has a lot to offer its visitors. Staying at this resort will make for the perfect California vacation. Their amenities include a full kitchen, a flat screen TV, and complimentary WiFi. It is located right in Palm Desert near Palm Springs and Rancho Gardens. And there is so much to do around each of these cities when you’re not playing golf. 

When you use the golf course, you get to play two rounds per night. You just have to get a golf getaway package along with your living accommodations that you can use each night. You’ll get access to a golf car and driving range. So you can get around really easily. The golf course is spacious and provides excellent views of the Palm Desert mountains. So on top of a good time, you will also get to enjoy great views! 

When you’re not out on the golf course, you can spend time going to places like the Living Desert Zoo and Joshua Tree National Park. At the resort, you will also find four pools, and interactive water playground with a waterslide, a sports court, and a Marketplace where you can get food and snacks. 

“Clubhouse staff were helpful and the grounds crew was never in the way, even on a Monday! Even had bev cart service! Course is absolutely in phenomenal condition. Greens are true. Bring bug spray and watch for ants tho! Just stay out of the sand and don't near the water haha you'll be fine! You are guaranteed to leave happy having played this awesome course! You may even replay.”–Yelp Review 

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6. Rancho Las Palmas Golf Course

Famed golf course with even more famous visitors

42000 Bob Hope Dr | Rancho Mirage | rlpcc.com

Rancho Las Palmas Golf Course is nestled in Rancho Las Palmas Country Club. It is a 240 acre property that has been a vacation escape for Hollywood’s elite since it opened its doors back in the 1950s. Once you enter this resort, you’ll be greeted with gorgeous views of palm trees, mountains, and lush greenery. There are three different golf courses you can enjoy at this resort. 

You can play 27 holes of golf in three different locations. There is a north, south, and west golf course. Each golf course has a distinct 9 hole layout and manages to provide a unique experience each time a person plays. The course is very player friendly and easy to travel through by foot or by golf cart. Memorable views and game play challenges await! 

At this golf course, you will be among palm tree lined fairways and rolling terrain. The San Jacinto and San Bernardino mountain vistas make the perfect backdrop for golfing in the California desert. There are 6 different lakes and famed bunkers on site. It is perfect for beginners and for more seasoned golfers. If you want, you can always get lessons on site as well. Whether you’re more or less experienced, you can always benefit from learning new tricks. 

“Amazing, one of the best times I had with my boys, everyone here is friendly and courteous...the place was perfectly groomed...played at twilight starting at 1pm and they let us play through all 3 9 hole courses!! Played till dark and they kept the place open for us! Amazing will play again----this place is a must try!”–Yelp Review 

When you’re looking for a great golf course in a scenic location, you will find plenty in Palm Desert. This city is the perfect place to be in for some warm outdoor fun!