Desert Springs Golf Club
Desert Springs Golf Club delivers an 18-hole desert experience framed by sweeping mountain views and a strategic layout that balances challenge and approachability. With well-maintained greens and firm fairways, it offers a distinctive round suited for golfers seeking both adventure and precision in Southern California's desert landscape.
Course Overview
Desert Springs Golf Club in Palm Desert, California, offers an 18-hole, public course that combines classic desert golf with enviable mountain backdrops and a playful layout that encourages strategic shot-making. This course weaves through gently rolling terrain marked by desert flora, sandy waste areas, and expertly placed bunkers that challenge golfers without overwhelming them. The fairways undulate across a sun-drenched landscape, opening up to panoramic views of the surrounding San Jacinto Mountains, which influence not only the scenery but also the subtle breaks on the pristine greens.
The course’s design strikes a balance between accessibility and test, appealing to a wide range of skill levels. Golfers who appreciate a thoughtful approach will find ample opportunities for shaping shots and negotiating clever risk-reward scenarios, especially around the greens where undulations and desert hazards come into play. The desert climate means expected dry air and firm conditions, demanding precision and creativity from the tee to the putting surface.
Amenities support a relaxed and convenient round, with well-maintained rental clubs and cart services facilitating play. Food and beverage carts circulate regularly, allowing players to stay refreshed amid the arid environment. The course encourages early tee times, as cooler morning air offers ideal playing conditions and the chance to witness the desert come alive with native wildlife.
Walking is permitted and manageable, though recommended footwear should accommodate firm, sometimes uneven desert trails. The course’s natural setting feels alive, where occasional breezes test tempo and where subtle contours coax players into thoughtful execution. While not a mountain or links-style layout, Desert Springs delivers a unique desert golfing experience that rewards focus, adaptability, and a sense of adventure.
This course suits players seeking a memorable day of golf under bright skies, with vistas and challenges specific to Southern California’s high desert. Whether you’re planning a vacation round or testing your game against desert conditions, Desert Springs Golf Club offers solid golf value backed by scenic views and attentive service.
Course Highlights
Desert Springs features well-manicured greens and fairways with rolling elevations and strategically placed bunkers. The course’s proximity to the San Jacinto Mountains enhances its character, affecting wind patterns and putting reads. Notable holes include a par 3 framed by desert shrubs and a signature par 5 that requires a well-placed tee shot to avoid fairway bunkers guarding the landing zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Patrick Kelly
I had another great experience playing golf at Dessert Springs Golf Club. Each year, we have a trade expo at the JW, and you can choose to play in the tournament or.you can stay the day after and play the coirse for real. I played the palms course and teed off exactly at 6 am and done by 815am. It was a great morning and a great round of golf. Everyone was very helpful in checking in, renting golf clubs, getting carts, and the Marshall. I was the first one to tee off this morning and truly had a great experience out there. Great coirse and great people. Will be back next year to play again. Food and drink carts come around a couple of times, but make sure you load up and store it in the ice box on the cart. The course is fun, so be ready to hit some trick shots from the middle of the fairway. Lots of rolling hills and sand traps for your enjoyment.
shawn harrington
Beautiful place for a round.
Danny A
The greens are in amazing shape, well maintained and decent pace of play. The scenes though are some of the best with flamingos to top it off. Definitely would golf here again.
Marc Dippold
The course itself is great, so the 3-star rating is driven by recurring issues with the golf bag dropoff process and the pro shop staff. Sadly, it is widely known the bag dropoff process at Desert Springs feels second-class ... no staff are stationed at the dropoff area and the sign that says "Don't Leave Your Bags Unattended" lists a phone number to call for bag pickup which doesn't work. When we mentioned this as a recurring problem (we've played this course two other times with the same substandard experience) the pro shop staff (AM staff on May 2nd) cavalierly dismissed our polite and well-intentioned feedback like it was unreasonable to expect the dropoff to be staffed ... this is exactly the same smug response we received during our last visit. This is a JW Marriott ... as a Marriott owner, we've come to expect a high-level of customer service from dropoff to departure ... this is not a small local municipal course ... JW Marriott can and should operate at a much higher standard. We hope the hotel manager takes this feedback to heart and engages with and retrains the staff to meet the standards of a JW Marriott property.
Eric C
This place is by far the worse golf course in Palm Springs and I beg you not spend your hard earned money. I left a review based on my 700$ range finder being stolen and was told that they take these matters very seriously. They DO NOT. They don’t answer any phone calls, and they allow people between the pro shop and cart room to steal and get away with it. TODD doesn’t know how to run a pro shop much a less a course. I’m embarrassed for them. Such a prestigious company like Marriott really dropped the ball with this one. I repeat do not spend your hard earned money at this golf course. There are plenty of options in the area.
Tom Alfano
Beautiful setting. Nice course. NO Marshall though. Teed off at 12:30 and couldn’t finish the round because play was sooo slow. Left after 14 holes when we pulled up to 3 groups on the 15th par 3 hole. Geez.
Eric C
This place is by far the worse golf course in Palm Springs and I beg you not spend your hard earned money. I left a review based on my 700$ range finder being stolen and was told that they take these matters very seriously. They DO NOT. They don’t answer any phone calls, and they allow people between the pro shop and cart room to steal and get away with it. TODD doesn’t know how to run a pro shop much a less a course. I’m embarrassed for them. Such a prestigious company like Marriott really dropped the ball with this one. I repeat do not spend your hard earned money at this golf course. There are plenty of options in the area.
Bobby Whitney
Well maintained course with challenging but fair layout. Beautiful Mountain Views everywhere. Most of the rough in manageable but there are a few places where of you are off, you are lost. Well placed bunkers with consistent sand. Greens were slow but consistent. Remember where the mountains are before you judge a putt. They do influence the read!
Ovell Scott III
Played the PALM side on 14 July 2025. The course staff was very welcoming and helpful. Complimentary range balls and a small chipping and putting service. The course look beautiful and has some great scenery. The layout has a good amount of hills which can create some blind spots. The course is pretty open but has its challenges of dog legs. The greens roll nice, bunkers well maintained, and has a lot of restrooms and drinking water for those hot rounds. My only critiques of this course are the tee boxes where bushy on some holes and a few fairways looked as if they hadn't been cut in some time. Other than that, this is a great course that all should enjoy. They also give military discount which was a plus!!!
Michael O'Neill
Great 18. Plenty of risk-reward on a well maintained course. Definitely worth re-visiting on our next trip
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Course Details
Access & Location
74-855 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260, USA
Desert Springs Clubhouse featuring a pro shop, dining, and locker rooms
Walking is allowed; course terrain is mostly firm with some gentle slopes. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
Open to the public with tee times available via online reservation or phone booking
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