Palm Desert / La Quinta - private course recommendations?

[ColeFlinn]

Hi all,

 

I am considering purchasing a home in La Quinta/Palm Desert area, and would be looking for some recommendations on golf clubs to consider joining.

 

Before I get going, I would like to mention that I am far younger than the average member in PD - I'm 27 and from Seattle, so would be looking to spend winters and some weekends down there.

 

For the courses I've looked at currently:

• The Palms - the Palms seems to be #1 in my book so far, but does anyone have any opinions on the course? I couldn't find anything on here. The minus is a wife isn't a +1 as a member, there is no junior category, and there is no fitness facilities.
• La Quinta Country Club - this seems to be the best deal for a junior in town. I heard the course is "meh" but just in fantastic shape. Anyone have any thoughts?
• Stone Eagle - bucket list membership, but on a 4 year waitlist right now. 
• The Tradition - had a strong junior membership option, but dues were a little too high for my liking.

Is there anywhere else I should be looking at? I'm looking to find a golf membership then find a house 🙂

[jml4]

I live in the LA area but played a tournament at The Palms back in March and I loved the course. It had the toughest greens I've ever played on. The pro said the saying is you don't read the greens, you memorize them. They are a player's course -- I don't think they have much "club" stuff outside the restaurant and bar. They pride themselves on the course and the talent among the membership for sure. Course itself is pretty straight forward, had some challenge. They have a creek dotting its way through the property that comes into play ever so often. Quality was immaculate in March.

 

I have zero info other than that one experience but if I would join in a heartbeat. If you can score well on that course, you can score well anywhere.

Edited December 15, 2021 by jml4
added info

[dvq9654]

Stone Eagle may be worth looking into. Big Horn too. Might be a little farther than you want. 

[PorkChopExpress]

PGA West has courses, one of them is the Citrus Club

 

Mission Hills CC for the Dinah Shore. But the Dye and Palmer courses are good too with barely any play cause everyone wants to play the Dinah. 

Though is a Club Corp, could have nationwide access to many courses

 

Otherwise you're looking at Tradition monthly dues for most of the good courses down there

[Shades234]

I have nothing to contribute golf wise, but is a 4 year waiting list a huge deal if you're never there? Usually there are some playing privileges attached to waiting list spots, so you may want to see what being on the waiting list entails before you rule out your bucket list membership. 

[qtlaw]

Buddy is a member at The Reserve and have had the privilege of playing about 6 rounds there the past couple of years.  Great conditions; beautiful settings, wonderful staff.  I personally love the course.

[doobz]

For some context I'm 31 and moved here 18 months ago so well below the average age at most clubs as well.

Of the 4 you mentioned, La Quinta CC would be my choice. I'm at Indian Wells CC right now and it's good but not great, mostly because I just don't really LOVE either course. I rarely use the ClubCorp benefits, having 36 is nice, fitness facilities are decent enough and you get some perks at Indian Wells Tennis Garden also. They have a lot of events and it's probably one of the youngest memberships in the desert.

 

The best actual bang for your buck for Juniors if you don't care about having the nicest amenities is Bermuda Dunes. 27 Holes and really fun course. $1K initiation and $375/mo w/ low minimums for Under 40 members at least when I looked around a little over a year ago.

Feel free to DM me for more info if you want and welcome to the desert.

[takklz]

Hey @doobz are you still at Indian Wells CC or did you move onto another club. I am going to check out Bermuda Dunes CC tomorrow as the Junior Executive program is super attractive.

[takklz]

Some quotes i've gotten thus far for junior memberships:

 

Indian Wells CC (no junior membership) - $25,000 initiation fee & ~$1,200/month in dues

La Quinta CC - $14,500 initiation fee & ~$650/month in dues

The Reserve (no junior membership anymore, they eliminated it) - $200,000 initiation fee & ~$3,000/month in dues

Ironwood CC - $50,000 initiation fee & ~$800/month in dues

Bermuda Dunes CC - $2000 initiation fee & ~$500/month in dues

 

Overall pretty pricey around here in the desert even as a junior member.. Bermuda Dunes seems to be the best deal.

Edited March 9, 2023 by takklz

[memberguest]

On 3/8/2023 at 1:53 PM, takklz said:

Some quotes i've gotten thus far for junior memberships:

 

Seems like you are doing your research. Are you planning to live on the course, are you factoring what housing is like in the community or just the golf membership?

[takklz]

4 hours ago, memberguest said:

Seems like you are doing your research. Are you planning to live on the course, are you factoring what housing is like in the community or just the golf membership?

Already live in south palm desert up by El Paseo! Unfortunately, the clubs up here are too expensive for me.

 

I joined bermuda dunes! Super happy so far, great young executive program and a fun course.

 

Hopefully someday will be able to afford a membership within golf cart distance 😉

Edited March 19, 2023 by takklz