9 Golf Courses in Greater Palm Springs, Recommended by Locals

Each year, Palm Springs Life invites readers to vote for their favorite businesses, experiences, and attractions across Greater Palm Springs in our city-by-city Best of the Best competition. Below, you’ll find this year’s winners for Best Public Golf Course.

Explore the full list of 2025 winners across all 29 categories at the link below.

The next round of voting opens in April 2026.

Palm Springs

Indian Canyons Golf Resort

Two courses in the shadow of the San Jacinto Mountains were once favored by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope. 

Desert Hot Springs

Mission Lakes Country Club

At a higher elevation than any other course in Greater Palm Springs, Mission Lakes looks out across the entire valley — one hole even has you teeing off the mountainside. 

Cathedral City

Cimarrón Golf Resort

The longer Boulder course accommodates players of all abilities, while the shorter Pebble course is popular with couples and juniors. 

Rancho Mirage

The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa

This 6,706-yard layout by course designer Pete Dye features his signature railroad tie borders around the tee boxes and ponds. 

Palm Desert

Desert Willow Golf Resort

The picturesque, environmentally sensitive Mountain View and Firecliff courses, designed by Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, and John Look, offer layouts for both challenging and more forgiving play. 

Indian Wells

Indian Wells Golf Resort

The resort’s Celebrity and Players courses, nicknamed “Beauty and the Beast,” have been ranked by Golfweek among the best municipal courses in the United States. The site also features a luxurious 53,000-square-foot clubhouse. 

La Quinta (Tied)

Palm Royale Country Club

At the walking-only, Ted Robinson-designed course, sneaky elevation changes and water features keep all players engaged. 

PGA WEST

Five public courses include the Pete Dye Stadium Course and Nicklaus Tournament Course, which host The American Express tournament each January. 

Indio

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Golfweek has listed the Clive Clark–designed Eagle Falls course among its Top 25 casino golf courses in the United States.