How much does a Palm Springs golf trip cost?

Most three day Palm Springs golf trips cost 750 to 2,200 per person depending on season, tee times, and lodging choices.

What is the most expensive part of a Palm Springs golf trip?

Lodging is usually the biggest expense, ranging from 120 to 475 per night depending on hotel or resort level.

What is the cheapest time of year for Palm Springs golf?

Summer offers the lowest prices, while October, November, and May deliver the best blend of value and weather.

How much do Palm Springs tee times cost?

Public tee times cost 65 to 200 depending on the course and season, with premium winter mornings highest.

Palm Springs

What Does a Palm Springs Golf Trip Cost?

A full cost breakdown of Palm Springs golf trips with real tee time prices, lodging ranges, food budgets, car rentals, and group money-saving strategies.

November 16, 2025 · 9 min read

Palm Springs has long been one of the most reliable golf destinations in the West, partly because the weather is steady and partly because the valley has a deep inventory of public courses that spread out the pricing spectrum. When the early light spills across the Santa Rosa Mountains, the whole place feels premium. But that does not mean every trip must be expensive.

With smart tee sheet decisions, group-friendly lodging picks, and an understanding of seasonal price swings, you can build anything from a budget weekend to a resort-level escape.

This guide breaks down actual price ranges you can expect today, drawing from course data, Visit Greater Palm Springs tourism figures, and market averages across the valley. Costs vary by season, but the structure stays consistent. Let’s map it out.

Quick Answer: What Does a Palm Springs Golf Trip Cost

A typical Palm Springs golf trip costs $750 to $2,200 per person for three days, depending on lodging style, tee time windows, and how aggressively you layer in food and nightlife. Public tee times run $65 to $200 in peak winter conditions, with summer rates often dropping below $60.

Lodging swings widely, from budget hotels at $120 to $180 per night to full resort stays at $280 to $475 in prime season. Food and drinks track similarly, with group-friendly mid-tier dining averaging $40 to $75 per person nightly.

According to the LCVBA’s annual tourism report, winter demand pushes pricing to the highest, while shoulder seasons create the best value windows for golfers. With the right mix of courses and timing, groups can keep costs controlled without sacrificing the desert experience.

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Golf Costs in Palm Springs

Public golf has a wide pricing spectrum based on season, course pedigree, and tee time.

Peak season (Jan–April) ranges from $130 to $200 at high-demand tracks like Desert Willow Firecliff by Hurdzan Fry or Indian Wells Celebrity by Clive Clark. These are among the region’s most scenic options, covered in our Most Scenic Golf Courses in Palm Springs guide.
Shoulder seasons (May, Oct–Dec) offer strong value, often $85 to $150 for top-tier courses and $60 to $100 for mid-tier layouts.
Summer (June–Sept) is the bargain window with morning tee times often $50 to $75, even at premium courses. Groups that can handle the heat get the best dollar for scenery tradeoff.

Best if your group wants predictable tee sheet pricing with clear seasonal tiers.

Pros: wide choices across budgets, shoulder seasons offer exceptional value
Cons: premium courses spike in winter, and late-day tee times can slow the pace

Lodging Costs

Lodging typically becomes the largest single expense on a Palm Springs golf trip.

Budget-friendly hotels cluster around $120 to $180 per night, especially in Palm Desert and Cathedral City, making them ideal for groups that prioritize golf over amenities.
Mid-tier hotels and boutique properties usually sit around $180 to $260 depending on proximity to downtown. These work well for mixed groups wanting easy nightlife access.
Resort stays, like La Quinta Resort or the Indian Wells Resort Corridor, can reach $280 to $475 in peak season. These deliver spa access, pools, and walkable dining, often cited in LCVBA visitor surveys as top satisfaction drivers.

Best if your group wants control over the comfort and price balance.

Pros: options at every budget level, plenty of multi-room suites
Cons: high-season resort pricing spikes, limited walkability outside downtown

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Transportation Costs

Coachella Valley is spread out, so transportation planning matters.

Rental cars run $55 to $90 per day, depending on size, and groups usually split two vehicles for flexibility.
Rideshare is widely available but can add up quickly if your group moves between golf, hotel, and dinner daily. Expect $12 to $26 per ride on average.
Parking is generally free across most golf courses, a pleasant difference from major metros.

Best if your group wants cost control with easy course access.

Pros: cheap parking, predictable rental pricing
Cons: distances add up, rideshare surges during events

Food and Drinks

Palm Springs has a strong dining scene, but costs vary widely.

Casual group-friendly meals fall around $18 to $30 per person.
Mid-tier dinners commonly run $40 to $75 per person with cocktails.
Higher-end dining in downtown or resort areas can reach 90 to 140 per person with drinks included.

Best if your group wants good food variety with clear price tiers.

Pros: strong mid-tier options, many patios built for big groups
Cons: resort dining ups the bill quickly, and weekends inflate bar pricing

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Nightlife Costs

Bachelor groups and weekend crews should account for nightlife inflation on busy weekends.

Local bars average $7 to $11 per drink.
Lounges or hotel bar cocktails range around $14 to $22.
Cover charges are rare, but event weekends like Modernism Week or Pride can push pricing upward.

Best if your group wants lively but manageable nightlife.

Pros: many low-cost bars, walkable downtown
Cons: surge weekends raise prices, and cocktails can blow out budgets

Full Three Day Sample Budget

This model assumes three rounds, three nights, shared rooms, and standard food spend.

Golf: $225 to $450
Lodging: $360 to $1,200, depending on style
Food: $150 to $375
Drinks: $75 to $150
Transportation: $60 to $140 per person, depending on rental split
Tips + extras: $35 to $75

Total estimated trip cost: $750 to $2,200 per person

This tracks with pricing trends referenced in the Ultimate Guide to Golf in Palm Springs, which outlines the valley’s seasonal cost curves.

Best if your group wants a clear, reliable total trip estimate.

Pros: accurate for most groups, easy to scale up or down
Cons: does not include premium dining or luxury upgrades

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Cost Factors That Matter Most for Groups

There are five big lever groups that can be used to shape their budget.

Seasonal timing: spring drives the highest pricing. October, November, and May are the sweet spots for savings.
Tee time selection: late morning tee times are usually cheaper and still land in great light for photos.
Location: Palm Desert and La Quinta tend to offer better value than downtown Palm Springs for lodging.
Course selection: pairing one premium round with two mid-tier value rounds is the best formula, reflected in our Best Budget Friendly Golf Courses in Palm Springs guide.
Group size: larger groups often benefit from multi-bedroom vacation rentals.

Best if your group wants maximum control over cost without sacrificing quality.

Pros: biggest savings come from simple timing decisions
Cons: peak season groups may have fewer available deals

Money Saving Tips for Palm Springs Golf Trips

These are real ways groups lower costs without trimming the experience.

Play one marquee course like Firecliff or Indian Wells Celebrity, then supplement with value rounds such as Cathedral Canyon or Tahquitz Creek.
Book twilight rounds in spring, which offer lower rates and incredible lighting as the mountains glow.
Use midweek travel windows, which consistently show lower hotel pricing in tourism data.
Stay in Palm Desert or Indian Wells, where hotels run cheaper than central Palm Springs but are closer to many golf hubs.
Skip resort breakfast and hit local diners to save $12 to $18 per person daily.

Best if your group wants high-quality golf with smart budget adjustments.

Pros: improved budget flexibility, better tee sheet availability midweek
Cons: twilight rounds reduce shot count, further lodging from nightlife

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When the desert mornings hit that soft pink light, even the simplest itinerary feels premium. Budget-friendly or not, Palm Springs delivers.

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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