Greater Palm Springs Golf Courses: Masterpieces by Legendary Architects
Greater Palm Springs is celebrated for its midcentury modern architecture, extending that design excellence to its world-class golf courses. This desert golf haven features layouts by some of the game's most acclaimed architects, from pioneers of classic Southern California courses to legendary players who became designers. Discover our curated guide to the top public-access courses shaped by golf's greatest talents.
Renowned Architects
William F. Bell
Tahquitz Creek Legends Course – One of two outstanding value courses in Palm Springs, the Legends Course recently marked its 50th anniversary.
Bermuda Dunes Country Club – Longtime host of the Bob Hope Classic with 27 holes of championship golf, now offering seasonal public memberships.
Indian Canyons North Course – A classic SoCal layout with green-to-tee views, once enjoyed by the Rat Pack.
Clive Clark
Eagle Falls – Designed by former Euro Tour player and local resident Clive Clark, this Indio gem complements Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino with fun challenges.
Indian Wells Golf Resort Celebrity Course – Ranked among SoCal's best public courses and top municipal facilities nationwide, featuring stunning water hazards and vibrant flowers.
Pete Dye
Mountain and Dunes Courses at La Quinta Resort & Club – For a single round, choose the Mountain Course, which climbs alongside the Santa Rosa Mountains with a spectacular back nine.
Stadium Course at PGA WEST – One of the West's toughest public tracks, now part of the PGA Tour's CareerBuilder Challenge each January.
Westin Mission Hills Pete Dye Resort Course – While not Dye's top design, the signature challenging finale echoes his style for dramatic finishes.
John Fought
Cimarron Golf Resort Boulder Course – Unique with minimal surrounds and wide fairways, ideal for resort players with errant drives.
Indian Wells Golf Resort Players Course – Companion to Clark's Celebrity Course, renowned for inspired bunker designs across SoCal.
Arthur Hills
Heritage Palms Golf Club – An under-the-radar gem on the valley's east end, impressing with exceptional bunkering.
Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry (with John Cook)
Desert Willow Golf Resort – A top Greater Palm Springs play, with Firecliff and Mountain View courses by the team behind 2017 U.S. Open host Erin Hills.
Casey O'Callaghan/Amy Alcott
Indian Canyons South Course – Redesigned Palm Springs treasure with strategic par-4s and iconic Washingtonia filifera palms honoring local history.
Ted Robinson, Sr.
JW Marriott Desert Springs – The 'King of Waterscapes' delivers water-rich resort play on the Palm and Valley Courses.
Mission Lakes CC – A locals' favorite in Desert Hot Springs, tougher than typical residential courses with demanding closing holes.
Omni Rancho Las Palmas – 27 holes across three nines; the West Nine winds through the resort property.
Palm Royale – Walking-only 18-hole par-3 course, perfect for all skill levels.
Tahquitz Creek Resort Course – The more challenging twin to Legends, with undulating greens and signature water features.
Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley
Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon – Ideal for summer escapes with cooler temps amid bucolic Legends and Champions Courses.
Golf Club at Terra Lago – Former Skins Game host with 36 holes blending resort style and rustic desert on the east end.
Shadow Hills South and North – Strong Indio layouts, plus the North's par-3 18-hole test of mid-irons.
Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
Desert Dunes GC – Desert Hot Springs standout offering pastoral, nature-filled golf despite occasional winds.
Legendary Players Turned Architects
Nick Faldo
Marriott's Shadow Ridge GC – Six-time major winner's U.S. debut demands precise irons on sloping greens with Sandbelt-style bunkers.
Gary Player
Westin Mission Hills – Player's sole California design tests fitness and vision with subtle mounded greens.
Jack Nicklaus
Escena Golf Club – Nicklaus Design team creation with one of the area's best public clubhouses.
Nicklaus Tournament at PGA West – Part of CareerBuilder Challenge; elevated approaches challenge amateurs.
Greg Norman
Norman Resort Course at PGA WEST – Minimal turf amid decomposed granite demands feel; secluded from the main hub.
Arnold Palmer
Classic Club – Pro-caliber layout on sprawling grounds.
SilverRock Resort – 2017 back-nine enhancements boost mountain views on The King's design.
Gene Sarazen
Shadow Mountain – Rare Sarazen design, Palm Desert's first course at ~5,400 yards, emphasizing wedge play.
Seeking more options? Explore our full list of golf courses in Palm Springs and beyond.
