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Golf Trips / Palm Springs, CA / Planning Guide

Palm Springs Golf Trip Planning Guide

The original desert golf playground. 300+ days of sun, more than 100 courses across the Coachella Valley, and a mid-century downtown packed with rooftop bars and pools. Easy to fly into, easy to rent a giant house with a pool.

The Breakdown

Quick Facts

Best Time to Visit

Spring, Fall

Nearest Airport

PSP (10 min drive)

Green Fees

$40–$165

Lodging From

$250/night

Walkable Courses

0 of 5

Budget Est. (8 guys, 3 nights)

~$294/person

The Game Plan

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Here's a realistic 3-day itinerary for a group golf trip to Palm Springs. Every venue below is real and pulled from our curated database — no filler.

Day 1

Morning — Golf

Indian Canyons Golf Resort (North) desert, $80–$165 · 4.5★

Classic 1960s Rat Pack-era course at the base of the San Jacinto mountains — Sinatra played here

Dinner

LULU California Bistroupscale, $$$ · 4.4★

Big, buzzy Palm Canyon Drive flagship — handles large parties on the patio and people-watching is elite

After Dark

Bootlegger Tikitiki · Open late

Tiny iconic tiki bar pouring serious rum cocktails — the move for a one-of-a-kind round

Day 2

Morning — Golf

Escena Golf Club desert, $70–$150 · 4.5★

Nicklaus design with a buzzing clubhouse lounge right by the airport — easy first-day round

Afternoon — Activity

Palm Springs Aerial Tramwayhalf day, $30–$35/pp

Rotating cable car climbs 8,500 feet to pine forest and trails — wild contrast to the desert floor

Dinner

Mr. Lyons Steakhousesteakhouse, $$$$ · 4.6★

Sexy mid-century chophouse with a separate cocktail lounge — proper steak night

After Dark

Tonga Hut Palm Springstiki · Open late

Big retro tiki lounge with bowls to share and a back patio — group-friendly and rowdy

Day 3

Morning — Golf

Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort (Legend) desert, $55–$120 · 4.4★

Two solid municipal-style 18s minutes from downtown — the value play of central Palm Springs

Afternoon — Activity

Joshua Tree Jeep / ATV Tourhalf day, $120–$200/pp

Off-road tours into the San Andreas Fault canyons and Joshua Tree — classic arrival-day rip

Dinner

Las Casuelas Terrazamexican, $$ · 4.4★

Margarita-soaked Palm Springs institution with misters, mariachi, and a huge patio

After Dark

The Reef at Margaritavillerooftop · Open late

Rooftop pool bar downtown with frozen drinks and sunset mountain views

The Rota

Course-by-Course Guide

Palm Springs has 5 courses worth playing.

Indian Canyons Golf Resort (North)Premium

Classic 1960s Rat Pack-era course at the base of the San Jacinto mountains — Sinatra played here

4.5 (720)
$80–$165
Par 72 · 6,943 yds
desert
Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort (Legend)Solid

Two solid municipal-style 18s minutes from downtown — the value play of central Palm Springs

4.4 (640)
$55–$120
Par 72 · 6,775 yds
desert
Escena Golf ClubPremium

Nicklaus design with a buzzing clubhouse lounge right by the airport — easy first-day round

4.5 (520)
$70–$150
Par 72 · 7,173 yds
desert
Desert Dunes Golf ClubSolid

Robert Trent Jones Jr. links-style desert layout — windswept and the best value gem in the valley

4.3 (340)
$45–$110
Par 72 · 6,876 yds
links
Cimarron Golf Resort (Boulder)Solid

Two affordable 18s in Cathedral City — the par-3 Pebble course is a fun group warm-up

4.4 (380)
$40–$95
Par 71 · 6,800 yds
desert
Base Camp

Where to Stay

Palm Springs has 2 group-friendly lodging options in our database, starting at $250/night for the whole house. Several options include hot tubs — a non-negotiable for most groups.

houseSleeps 1018

$500–$2000 /night

Movie Colony, Vista Las Palmas, or Deepwell — mid-century homes with big pools walkable to downtown

private poolhot tubputting greenoutdoor barfire pitmountain views
resort houseSleeps 1016

$250–$600 /night

Downtown Palm Springs hotels (Kimpton Rowan, Margaritaville) or stay-and-play desert resorts

resort poolspamultiple restaurantson-site or adjacent golffitness center
The Table

Group Dining Guide

4 restaurants vetted for group golf trips. Several can handle large parties without a reservation headache.

LULU California Bistro

$$$
upscale

Big, buzzy Palm Canyon Drive flagship — handles large parties on the patio and people-watching is elite

4.4$30-60/personReservation needed

Mr. Lyons Steakhouse

$$$$
steakhouse

Sexy mid-century chophouse with a separate cocktail lounge — proper steak night

4.6$60+/personReservation needed

Las Casuelas Terraza

$$
mexican

Margarita-soaked Palm Springs institution with misters, mariachi, and a huge patio

4.4$15-30/person

Tac/Quila

$$$
mexican

Modern Mexican on Palm Canyon with 100+ tequilas and a lively street-side patio

4.5$30-60/personReservation needed
After the Round

Nightlife

4 bars curated for groups. 4 stay open past midnight.

Bootlegger Tiki

Late night
tiki

Tiny iconic tiki bar pouring serious rum cocktails — the move for a one-of-a-kind round

Tonga Hut Palm Springs

Late night
tiki

Big retro tiki lounge with bowls to share and a back patio — group-friendly and rowdy

The Reef at Margaritaville

Late night
rooftop

Rooftop pool bar downtown with frozen drinks and sunset mountain views

Truss & Twine

Late night
cocktail

Award-winning craft cocktail bar — the serious-drinks stop before the night gets loose

Off Days

Activities Beyond Golf

4 off-course activities for rest days or afternoons.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

hikinghalf day$30–$35/pp

Rotating cable car climbs 8,500 feet to pine forest and trails — wild contrast to the desert floor

Joshua Tree Jeep / ATV Tour

atvhalf day$120–$200/pp

Off-road tours into the San Andreas Fault canyons and Joshua Tree — classic arrival-day rip

Indian Canyons Hike

hiking2-3 hours$12–$15/pp

Palm oasis canyons on the Agua Caliente reservation — easy scenic morning before golf

Spotlight 29 / Agua Caliente Casino

casinohalf day$40–$200/pp

Valley casinos for blackjack, sportsbook, and late-night action when the rental gets quiet

Logistics

Getting There

Fly into Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) — it's a 10-minute drive to Palm Springs. For groups of 8+, consider booking a shuttle or party bus from the airport (local providers include Palm Springs Party Bus and Desert Charters). Renting two SUVs usually works for groups of 4-8.

Ready when you are

Build the Palm Springs trip.

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