The desert is all about golf and wonderful golf courses. 

As a hobby, I hold a PGA Instructors badge that I use for mental coaching on the PGA Tour. At the moment I work with 14 Tour players including Shaun Micheel.  

Additionally, I am a golf equipment and travel writer that is syndicated nationwide to over 14 golf magazines and media as well as being the equipment editor for the LA Time’s new “Golf Living” magazine. 

Writing reviews on golf courses gives me an extraordinary insight into both the public and private sectors of the over 100 golf courses in the Coachella Valley. If you ever need any questions answered about any desert course, please feel free to email or call me at your convenience. 

Below is the most current listing of the Top Ten Public Courses in the Desert for 2005, prepared by me and as published in Fairways& Greens Magazine, Connoisseur Golf & Travel Report, Pros & Hackers and Golf Industry Online:

In addition, the following courses are also well worth playing: 

Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort 

Tahquitz Creek consists of two 18-hole golf courses that both offer gorgeous views of the mountains in the Palm Springs area. The Resort course designed by well known architect Ted Robinson opened in 1995 features a “desert links style” course with rolling terrain, well placed bunkers, wonderful waterscapes and tremendous mountain views! This is a very playable and enjoyable course.
The Legend course is a traditional layout of 6600 yards of tree lined fairways have been recently renovated with the addition of over 40 challenging new bunkers. Remember that the Legend’s greens are severely sloped from back to front.  

Indian Palms Country Club and Resort 

This resort facility offers 27-holes of fun golfing. Mark Sheibach, the director of golf has orchestrated and undergone a three phase revitalization process designed to modernize the facility while preserving the historic integrity of the property.
Indian Palms features three nine hole courses – the Mountain, Royal and Indian nines, all are designed to provide tests of accuracy rather than strength and distance.
Each nine offers a slightly diverse style of golf challenge while taking full advantage of its majestic surroundings. There is a great clubhouse and the food is excellent. Accommodations are also available at the resort at very reasonable rates. The course features strategically placed sand traps and water that come into play on 15 of the 27 holes. In contrast to most desert courses, hundreds of mature trees line each fairway. The course’s signature hole is the 301 yard par-4 5th Hole on the Mountain Nine – featuring an island green.
Indian Palms is also proud to offer a world-class practice facility featuring a double ended driving range, two practice putting greens and a complete short game area with areas for chipping, sand play, and putting practice.  

Oak Quarry Golf Club 

Majestically situated in the Jurupa Mountains, about 50 miles west of Palm Springs lies this picturesque course that winds through the white-faced, jagged terrain of the renowned Jensen Quarry. In its operating heyday, the Jensen Quarry supplied limestone, marble and 88 various minerals for the development and construction of roads, large buildings and private residences in the Los Angeles area.
Today, the abandoned rock quarry, with its rich history dating back to the early 1900s, has been brought back to life for all to enjoy its place of prominence in Southern California folklore.
Well worth the trip. 

The Top Ten Private Golf Clubs: 

For details on membership and additional information on homes in these private clubs, please call or email me. I would be delighted to show you these upscale and wonderful developments. 

Porcupine Creek – Available only by invitation of Tim Blixseth 

Bighorn Golf Club - Two magnificent courses 

The Reserve - 18 holes of fabulous views and a marvelous course 

The Quarry – One of Fazio’s best – a privilege to play 

The Tradition - Augusta in the Desert – elegance and private to the nth degree 

The Plantation – Men only private club – very “un-desert” golf course 

The Hideaway – Two beautiful courses and the best service in the Desert 

Rancho La Quinta – Two of the very best courses in the Desert in a great development 

The Vintage – Two enjoyable courses 

Ironwood- Two of the best courses in the Desert 

Guide to East Valley Golf Courses
Guide to West Valley Golf Courses
Guide to Central Valley Golf Courses