Gary Player Signature Course at Westin Mission Hills Resort
Lush, gorgeous and impeccably maintained, the Gary Player Signature Course allows you to reach some of your lowest scores. You can even get some instruction at the award-winning Academy at Mission Hills. As public courses go, it's about as beautiful and player friendly as you're likely to find anywhere. If you want a little more challenge than what the Gary Player course offers, book a tee time at the Pete Dye course at the resort and get ready to use every club in the bag.
Westin Mission Hills Resort
71333 Dinah Shore Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
(760) 328-3198
www.westinmissionhillsgolf.com
Trilogy Golf Club at La Quinta
Trilogy has been home to several PGA Tour Skins Games events and has been rated highly by Golf Digest and Zagat for years. Play amid the beauty of the Coachella Valley in the Santa Rosa Mountains and walk the fairways where Tiger Woods and other legends have played.
Trilogy Golf Club at La Quinta
60-151 Trilogy Parkway
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 771-0707
http://www.trilogygolfclub.com/laquinta/
Firecliff at Desert Willow Golf Resort
Check out the two championship courses of Firecliff and Mountain View at Willow Golf, but be sure to play Firecliff. It's a perennial top choice for best public access course in the Palm Springs area--and that's saying plenty--with the abundance of beautiful but challenging courses. Mountain View is a little less challenging than Firecliff, but just as visually stunning.
Firecliff at Desert Willow Golf Resort
38-995 Desert Willow Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 346-7060
www.desertwillow.com
Cimarron Golf Resort
Cimarron's motto, "It's Another Beautiful Day," doesn't just refer to the weather. The scenic splendor of the San Jacinto Mountains is hard to beat and the friendly service at the resort is second to none. Cimarron, considered one of the best places for women to play, also has the distinction of having two very different 18-hole courses. The Boulder course is a destination for serious golfers from around the world and the shorter Pebble course is a winner for couples, juniors and those who want to get their round in under three hours.
Cimarron Golf Resort
67-603 30th Avenue, Cathedral City, CA 92234
(760) 770-6060
www.cimarrongolf.com
Indian Springs Country Club
Indian Springs is annually recognized as the most affordable of the Palm Springs top courses. It is both player friendly with its wide fairways but challenging enough if you want to hit from the back tees.
Indian Springs Country Club
79-940 Westward Ho Drive
Indio, CA 92201
(800) 727-8331
www.indianspringsgc.com
About The Author
I am currently the editor of a monthly health publication that has approximately 75,000 subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. Previously, I worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, covering issues ranging from the environment and government to family matters and education. I earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. I'm married with three children.
