Best Palm Springs Golf Courses for Weekend Trips
These are the best Palm Springs golf courses for quick weekend trips, offering great design, mountain views, and easy access for group getaways.
Jump to Section
There’s a special kind of energy in a Palm Springs golf weekend, the crisp desert mornings, the light bouncing off the San Jacinto Mountains, and the buzz of a group ready to squeeze every hole possible into three days. Whether you’re planning a buddies' trip or a relaxed couples’ getaway, the key is finding courses that balance quality, pace, and proximity.
These are the best Palm Springs golf courses for weekend trips, where great architecture meets convenient access and the kind of resort atmosphere that makes every round feel like a vacation.
Quick Answer: Best Palm Springs Golf Courses for Weekend Trips
For a fast, unforgettable golf weekend in Palm Springs, base your itinerary around Indian Wells Golf Resort, PGA West, and Desert Willow Golf Resort. Each offers multiple championship layouts, easy lodging access, and world-class conditioning that make them perfect for two or three-day trips.
Add an early Friday tee time, a Saturday 36-hole day, and a Sunday morning closer, and you’ll have a desert golf weekend that feels like a full vacation.
Indian Wells Golf Resort: Best for Walkable Luxury and Access
Located just 25 minutes from Palm Springs International Airport, Indian Wells Golf Resort (designed by Clive Clark and John Fought) blends playability with resort polish. Both the Celebrity and Players Courses rank among California’s top public options, combining sculpted fairways with mountain backdrops that glow pink at sunset.
- The Celebrity Course (7,050 yards) winds through streams and waterfalls, while the Players Course (7,376 yards) stretches wider for groups wanting a test.
- On-site lodging at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort makes it a seamless one-stop weekend base.
- According to Golf Digest, Indian Wells consistently ranks among the top 20 “Best Courses You Can Play” in California.
Best if your group wants a high-end, one-stop resort with minimal driving between rounds.
- Pros: Two elite courses, great group amenities, and easy airport access.
- Cons: Premium green fees during peak season.
