Palm Springs Course Recommendation

Bogeys bombers · February 11

I’m going to Palm Springs in a few weeks and looking for 1 additional course to play. Was originally planning to play PGA West Nicklaus but already playing stadium and looking for a unique/desert/mountain golf experience. Nicklaus looks like it’s lined with houses.

here are the courses I’m looking at for a true desert/ mountain courses based on availability for that day as we have to play early am as flying out in the afternoon.

- Silverrock

- Indian Wells Player Course

- PGA West Mountain

-Indian canyons (either course)

- golf club at terra lago north

we currently are playing pga stadium and classic club.

what would be your recommendation out of the list above for most “PS Desert unique” golf. Thanks in advance

Bonneville85308 · February 11

17 minutes ago, Bogeys bombers said:

I’m going to Palm Springs in a few weeks and looking for 1 additional course to play. Was originally planning to play PGA West Nicklaus but already playing stadium and looking for a unique/desert/mountain golf experience. Nicklaus looks like it’s lined with houses.

here are the courses I’m looking at for a true desert/ mountain courses based on availability for that day as we have to play early am as flying out in the afternoon.

- Silverrock

- Indian Wells Player Course

- PGA West Mountain

-Indian canyons (either course)

- golf club at terra lago north

we currently are playing pga stadium and classic club.

what would be your recommendation out of the list above for most “PS Desert unique” golf. Thanks in advance

The Indian Canyon courses are always in great condition and a good value but probably not what you are looking for. I'd consider them more "parkland" style. The North course is completely flat and lined with houses everywhere, the South course has fewer houses as it has more holes parallel with each other and is a more interesting course but not desert/mountain style.

The North course at Terra Lago is also a great value, conditions aren't as good but you aren't paying for it either, this will probably be a good pick for the style of course you are looking for.

Warrick · February 12

Played Mountain course on Thursday, great course, but is tough without GPS, hard to know where all the hazards are. I guess something got screwed up with their new carts.

We are playing Silver Rock today, remember it being a tough test last year.

We were all fairly impressed with Mission Hills Player course for the rate, only $135.

Bogeys bombers · February 12

6 minutes ago, Warrick said:

Played Mountain course on Thursday, great course, but is tough without GPS, hard to know where all the hazards are. I guess something got screwed up with their new carts.

We are playing Silver Rock today, remember it being a tough test last year.

We were all fairly impressed with Mission Hills Player course for the rate, only $135.

Let me know what you think of Silver Rock after you play it compared to PGA Mountain.

We are actually playing MH Player twlight round the day we arrive.

eagles1 · February 12

Play Mountain or Nicklaus. SilverRock is fun - but the finishing holes are horrible due to the construction of a complex - hotel I believe.

If you do Indian Canyon - stay away from North. Just meh all the way around. Both courses are also a good half hour/40 minutes away from La Quinta as they are located in Palm Springs.

tw422 · February 12

Desert Willow Firecliff or Marriott Shadow Ridge are both excellent courses without housing developments. Not sure what you mean by "desert golf experience" - do you mean target golf with fairways in the middle of a desert? If so, Firecliff will scratch that itch. I also like Indian Canyon's South Course and Escena near PS Airport although both are lined with houses. Mission Hills Gary Player is avg/above avg. Indian Wells courses are good but nothing special and not desert golf.

I agree with the above post - Nicklaus @ PGA West is your best bet outside of the two you are playing. Unless you can get on somewhere like the Madison Club or Bighorn (private) you are playing the best muni/daily fee courses in the Coachella Valley. The Mountain and Dunes courses at PGA West are good options for desert golf experience but mediocre in terms of the overall golf product.

Pepperturbo · February 12

On 2/11/2024 at 8:44 AM, Bogeys bombers said:

I’m going to Palm Springs in a few weeks and looking for 1 additional course to play. Was originally planning to play PGA West Nicklaus but already playing stadium and looking for a unique/desert/mountain golf experience. Nicklaus looks like it’s lined with houses.

here are the courses I’m looking at for a true desert/ mountain courses based on availability for that day as we have to play early am as flying out in the afternoon.

- Silverrock

- Indian Wells Player Course

- PGA West Mountain

-Indian canyons (either course)

- golf club at terra lago north

we currently are playing pga stadium and classic club.

what would be your recommendation out of the list above for most “PS Desert unique” golf. Thanks in advance

Silver Rock is nice, sometimes in great condition, but not in my top ten.

Both Indian Wells courses are fun, depending on one's game, can be challenging.

PGA West Nicklaus pvt & tournament & AP pvt, and Stadium are my best of PGA tracks.

Marriott' Shadow Ridge is one of my favorites.

La Quinta CC can be fun but it's pretty easy.

Classic Club is a fine test and fun, play early, though.

Both Desert Willow course are fun and good test.

The only time I play Indian Canyon South is when nothing else is open, never play north. South is too wide open and easy, but always in good shape. I bring 3–4 cigars; otherwise it's a snooze.

Edited February 12 by Pepperturbo

Warrick · February 13

On 2/12/2024 at 7:10 AM, Bogeys bombers said:

Let me know what you think of Silver Rock after you play it compared to PGA Mountain.

We are actually playing MH Player twlight round the day we arrive.

Silver Rock is a great test, beautiful course, had the rams, or big horn, whatever they are down on course yesterday, just standing right by us up at the green. The construction is there, but didn’t take away from the day for us, everyone wants to keep it in the rotation.

i liked both a lot, Mountain is just a pain with no GPS and not knowing the course

Eazy Mac · February 14

Anyone know if the construction at Silver Rock will be done by mid-May? Views/location seems cool and would love to play there without the noise

URStillAway · February 15

11 hours ago, Eazy Mac said:

Anyone know if the construction at Silver Rock will be done by mid-May? Views/location seems cool and would love to play there without the noise

The construction is at a standstill right now I believe. Developer ceased activities due to funding issues.

st1800e · February 15

4 minutes ago, URStillAway said:

The construction is at a standstill right now I believe. Developer ceased activities due to funding issues.

Great, take a decent course and change it for money, then run out of money….

eddiecut · February 16

On 2/14/2024 at 9:45 AM, Eazy Mac said:

Anyone know if the construction at Silver Rock will be done by mid-May? Views/location seems cool and would love to play there without the noise.

Construction won't be over until May of 2026 HA HA. I am not even sure the construction re started. When I played in October it looked like a ghost town of halfway constructed buildings.

Super fun course, very cool rock views and being able to see the goats is bad a**.