What is the best golf course closest to downtown Palm Springs?

Escena Golf Club is considered the best blend of convenience, scenery, and architecture within ten minutes of downtown Palm Springs.

Which Palm Springs course is most scenic near downtown?

Indian Canyons South Course offers the closest and most dramatic mountain backdrops near the city center.

What is the cheapest golf option near downtown Palm Springs?

Tahquitz Creek’s Legends and Resort Courses provide the most affordable tee times within ten minutes of downtown.

How far are Palm Springs golf courses from downtown?

Most courses are within five to ten minutes, including Escena, Indian Canyons, and Tahquitz Creek.

Palm Springs

Best Golf Courses Near Downtown Palm Springs

The best public golf courses near downtown Palm Springs with quick access, strong value, and excellent mountain scenery for group trips.

November 16, 2025 · 9 min read

Golf near downtown Palm Springs has a certain feel to it. The air is warm but dry, the mountains rise sharply just past the palm tree line, and you get that downtown energy without straying far from the tee sheet.

Morning rounds start with soft desert light sliding across the San Jacinto Mountains, and afternoons carry that classic Palm Springs glow drifting in from the west.

The downtown area is packed with restaurants, bars, and hotels, so the closer you stay to the city center, the easier it is to build a seamless buddies trip without long drives across the valley.

This guide breaks down the best public courses within quick reach of downtown, combining architecture pedigree, scenery, value, and group convenience.

Quick Answer: Best Golf Courses Near Downtown Palm Springs

If you want the best golf close to downtown Palm Springs, start with Escena Golf Club, a Nicklaus Design that blends modern desert shaping with open mountain views just minutes from the airport.

Next is Tahquitz Creek’s Resort and Legends Courses, two William Bell designs, five to ten minutes from downtown that offer classic palms, forgiving fairways, and excellent group friendly pricing. For something more polished, Indian Canyons brings mid-century Palm Springs flair with dramatic mountain backdrops, especially on the South Course.

According to recent Visit Greater Palm Springs tourism data, proximity to downtown dining and nightlife is one of the strongest satisfaction drivers for group golf travelers, and all four of these deliver quick access without sacrificing scenery.

For more options, see our Best Public Golf Courses in Palm Springs for Groups.

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Escena Golf Club

Nicklaus Design crafted Escena with wide fairways, sculpted bunkers, and a minimalist approach that keeps mountain views open on every hole.

Escena sits about ten minutes from downtown, making it one of the easiest premium-tier courses to pair with restaurants and bars around Palm Canyon Drive. The routing emphasizes clean sightlines and low-profile greens, giving it a modern desert look that appeals to groups who like clear targets from the tee.
The layout plays 7,173 yards from the tips, but the middle tees are ideal for mixed skill groups who want relaxed angles and a steady pace. Escena’s mountain panoramas often appear in Palm Springs visitor photography, validating it as one of the region’s most scenic accessible routes.
The mid-century modern clubhouse adds personality, and the patio is one of the best post-round lunch spots due to its mountain framing. This makes it a natural first round for groups flying in, pairing well with our Best Time of Year to Golf in Palm Springs guide.

Best if your group wants modern desert style and quick access to downtown.

Pros: clean mountain views, easy tee shots, great patio experience
Cons: wind can be a factor, fewer dramatic elevation changes

Indian Canyons South Course

Originally designed by William Bell and later refined with desert-sensitive shaping, Indian Canyons South is one of the most visually striking courses close to downtown.

Located a short ten-minute drive from the city center, the course sits directly beneath the steep west face of the San Jacinto Mountains, giving several holes dramatic backdrops that feel closer than any other public course near downtown.
The layout stretches 6,582 yards with generous fairways and greens that tilt subtly toward the mountains. That visual rhythm makes it approachable for groups while still offering challenge in its positioning of water hazards and palm clusters.
The South Course draws consistently high marks in Golf Advisor ratings for scenery, and many reviewers cite its walkability and location as major advantages for weekend trips. This makes it a natural partner to the lodging insights in our Best Places to Stay for a Palm Springs Golf Trip.

Best if your group wants big mountain backdrops and laid-back resort golf near downtown.

Pros: bold scenery, walkable routing, close to nightlife
Cons: limited strategic variety, pace can slow on weekends

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Tahquitz Creek Resort Course

This William Bell design blends approachable resort-style shaping with a central valley location just five to eight minutes from downtown.

At 6,705 yards, the Resort Course uses water and palm-lined corridors to create visual interest without adding overwhelming difficulty. The style suits groups who want a playable mid-tier round with reliable desert vibes.
Tahquitz Creek is particularly strong for budget-conscious groups, as its seasonal pricing remains significantly lower than Escena or Indian Canyons. According to local course data, it is one of the most commonly booked repeat play venues for visitors wanting central location convenience.
The course benefits from wide fairways and forgiving greens that help pace of play stay steady even during spring peak, making it appealing for bachelor groups charting a full three-day itinerary.

Best if your group wants central valley convenience with resort-style playability.

Pros: good pricing, forgiving layout, ideal for mixed handicap groups
Cons: fewer signature holes, modest scenery compared to premium courses

Tahquitz Creek Legends Course

The Legends Course offers a slightly older school feel with broad corridors and classic Palm Springs shaping.

Measuring around 6,600 yards, this course provides an easygoing routing that suits relaxed groups or players easing into a multi-day trip. The open fairways and gentle doglegs reflect Bell’s original mid-century design language.
Legends is known for approachable pricing and consistent availability during shoulder seasons, making it a strong second-round option after a premium morning tee time elsewhere in the valley.
Though the scenery is less dramatic than Indian Canyons or Escena, morning rounds still catch soft light from the eastern horizon, giving the palm groves a warm glow that is very Palm Springs in feel.

Best if your group wants a casual, affordable round close to downtown.

Pros: great value, relaxed routing, easy to book
Cons: limited challenge, less dramatic visual framing

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Palm Desert Country Club (Bonus Value Pick)

Though technically outside downtown, Palm Desert CC deserves mention because it offers one of the best price-to-convenience ratios within a 20 to 25-minute drive.

The routing combines short par 4s and par 3s that create fast, fun rounds ideal for groups trying to add a second nine or fill a late afternoon window.
Prices stay among the lowest in the valley, making this a strong fit for cost-conscious travelers who want additional reps between premium rounds.
The friendly, walkable design adds to its accessibility for groups with varied skill levels, noted frequently in traveler reviews as a budget gem.

Best if your group wants a simple, affordable good time with quick pacing.

Pros: excellent pricing, perfect for 36-hole days
Cons: less dramatic scenery, shorter overall routing

Which Courses Are Closest to Downtown Palm Springs

Distance matters when you want restaurants and nightlife within minutes of your hotel. These are the approximate drives:

Escena Golf Club: 10 minutes
Indian Canyons South Course: 10 minutes
Tahquitz Creek Resort & Legends: 5 to 8 minutes
Mesquite Golf Club: 6 minutes (under renovation at times, not always reliable availability)
Palm Desert CC: 20 to 25 minutes, but a valuable budget option

This group of courses provides a mix of modern desert, classic resort, and budget-friendly layouts that appeal to a wide range of players. Routing variety also makes them strong picks for weekend trips covered in our Best Palm Springs Golf Courses for Weekend Trips.

Best if your group wants close access without sacrificing choice.

Pros: minimal drive times, diverse course styles
Cons: fewer high-elevation or canyon-style courses near the city center

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When you base your trip near downtown, the sunsets feel closer, the restaurants stay lively, and every course feels like part of the same desert neighborhood. Palm Springs rewards proximity.

Author

Ryan from 18Away Golf trip designer and editor

I help groups plan unforgettable itineraries across the top golf destinations in the U.S., blending real-golfer feedback with first-hand course research.

About the author · [email protected]

About This Palm Springs Guide

Every 18Away guide is independently written and updated by real golfers. We evaluate public access, group-friendly value, and proximity to top courses, referencing thousands of verified reviews, rate data, and on-site experience. Guides are refreshed regularly as conditions & pricing change over time.

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