One of the best wintertime golf destinations in the continental U.S. is Palm Springs, home to scores of desert golf courses worth playing.
The Career Builder Challenge utilizes several courses for this four round Pro-Am event, the Nicklaus Tournament and Stadium Course at PGA West, as well as private La Quinta Country Club.
Golf Channel Travel Expert Matt Ginella shares his five best places for resort golfers to play in the Palm Springs area below.
Ginella's five best courses to play in Palm Springs
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Top 5 golf courses in Palm Springs
Architect: Pete Dye
More: See where Stadium ranks on Ginella's Top 50 courses you can play
Architect: Pete Dye
Architect: Arnold Palmer
Architect: John Fought
Firecliff and Mountain View courses Desert Willow Golf Resort
Architects: Dana Fry, Michael Hurdzan, John Cook.
Play them all at least a couple of times per year. Out of these 6, I would go...
1-SilverRock
2-PGA West Stadium
3-DW Firecliff
4-IW Players
5-LQ Mtn.
6-DW Mountain View
However, I would throw Classic Club in the mix as well...
silverrocks back nine is extremely ratty.
We've played four of the five mentioned and never under $100 more often $150 and they are all great tracks. If you're a tourista like me and my friends (two foursomes), you can never get the great deals locals do, so we go with the rates available at the time. No matter what the price is at the time, when we're in the greater Palm Springs, Indian Wells, LaQuinta, etc. area, these courses are always on our list. Will have to do the Stadium course in November.
I'll Give Matt some grace. Many golfers (people in gen'l) aren't aware of the neighboring cities. When one refers to the CA desert, they tend to lump it all to calling it Palm Springs. Non of these 5 courses are in PSP. Two in LaQuinta, 1 in Indian Wells and 2 in Palm Desert. Yes, I too believe The Classic Club should be included but guessing the often times wind left Classic out!
It's such a limited and isolated area that most refer to it all as Palm Springs even though if you are looking at a local map each different community is clearly defined.
Those course are great if you don't have a budget. There are some great courses I The in the area in the $50 range. Terra Largo was great at $45 on golf now. The Classic Club at $100 was my favorite. It's every bit as good as those $200 courses. I think better. I've played in Palm Springs are a bit. And some of those $50 courses are pretty nice. I wish they would highlight some of these. Anyone can fork out the Hugh bucks for a great course, but the smart guys find some of the hidden gems.
I’ve played all mentioned and never paid more than $65 and never in summer
You’re full of caca if you played the stadium course for $65.
Matt, you should really understand the Coachella Valley because none of these golf courses are in Palm Springs;Sorry.
Faldo course at Shadow Ridge (Marriott) is worth a look.
Wow, played The Classis Club last year and think it has to be in the to five.
I play the Classic Club about twice a month, always fantastic. Greens could always be a little faster. One of the best in the Desert.
Yes, I played it in December and thought it was one of best tracks I've played.
I agree
Matt....great job AS USUAL, but how did Indian Wells Resort not make the list? Just curious. Thanks.
Byron it was listed...Players Course
All great places