A Slice of Golfing Greatness: The Best Private Courses in the Coachella Valley

25.05.23 04:39 PM

A member invitation is your key to swing the sticks at these great clubs

The Coachella Valley, a veritable mecca for golf enthusiasts, is home to some of the finest private golf courses in the world. From meticulous design to exceptional amenities and stunning views, these exclusive courses offer a premium golfing experience. Here's a look at some of the most prestigious private golf courses in the region.


  1. The Vintage Club, Indian Wells

Located in the heart of Indian Wells, The Vintage Club is one of the United States' most exclusive private golf clubs. It boasts two 18-hole courses designed by Tom Fazio – the Mountain Course and the Desert Course. With lush greens, sparkling water features, and stunning mountain backdrops, it’s easy to see why The Vintage Club is a favorite among discerning golfers.


  1. Bighorn Golf Club, Palm Desert

Home to two magnificent courses, the Mountains Course and the Canyons Course, Bighorn Golf Club offers members a world-class golfing experience. The Mountains Course is known for its challenging elevation changes and panoramic views, while the Canyons Course is characterized by its wide fairways and beautiful desert flora.


  1. The Quarry at La Quinta

Nestled in a secluded cove at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, The Quarry at La Quinta is regularly ranked among the top golf courses in the country. Its unique layout features a 18-hole championship course, a 10-hole short course, and a 7-hole quarry course. With dramatic elevation changes and stunning views, it's an unforgettable golfing destination.


  1. Madison Club, La Quinta

Considered one of the most exclusive private clubs in the valley, the Madison Club features a Tom Fazio-designed course that perfectly integrates with the natural desert landscape. The course features spacious fairways, meticulously manicured greens, and an array of beautiful water features, offering a unique and challenging round of golf for members.


  1. Tradition Golf Club, La Quinta

With its old-world charm and classic design, the Tradition Golf Club offers a step back in time. The 18-hole championship course was designed by Arnold Palmer and offers stunning views of the Santa Rosa Mountains. An additional 9-hole par-3 course is perfect for sharpening your short game.

  1. The Hideaway, La Quinta

The Hideaway offers two distinct 18-hole courses, one designed by Pete Dye and the other by Clive Clark. Both courses blend seamlessly with the surrounding desert landscape, offering challenging play and superb views. The club’s commitment to providing a first-class golf experience makes it a standout among private golf clubs.

  1. Eldorado Country Club, Indian Wells

One of the oldest private clubs in the Coachella Valley, Eldorado Country Club exudes an air of tradition and elegance. Its beautiful 18-hole course, designed by Tom Fazio, features wide fairways, strategically placed hazards, and beautiful mountain views.

  1. The Palms, La Quinta

Known for its pure golf experience, The Palms is a favorite among serious golfers. This Fred Couples and Brian Curley-designed course is characterized by its generous fairways, challenging water hazards, and stunning views. It offers a classic, no-frills golf experience that harks back to the sport's origins.

Each of these private golf courses offers not just a game, but an experience. With their stunning designs, exceptional facilities, and unsurpassed views, they represent the pinnacle of golf in the Coachella Valley. They're a testament to the area's deep love of the sport and commitment to offering the best golf experiences. While access to these courses is generally limited to members and their guests, those fortunate enough

to play them are guaranteed an unforgettable golfing experience.

  1. Toscana Country Club, Indian Wells

At Toscana Country Club, you can indulge in two exceptional Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses. Both courses blend the desert's natural beauty with challenging elements for an unforgettable round. Each hole is a careful calculation of distance, direction, and hazard placement.

  1. Ironwood Country Club, Palm Desert

With two meticulously designed courses, the North and South Courses, Ironwood Country Club delivers a golfing experience that’s as challenging as it is scenic. The courses weave through the natural desert landscape, boasting spectacular views and challenging terrain. The North Course is known for its challenging layout, while the South Course provides a slightly more forgiving game.

  1. Indian Ridge Country Club, Palm Desert

This vibrant club features two beautifully maintained Arnold Palmer signature courses. The Arroyo Course and the Grove Course both offer challenging and engaging play with stunning desert landscapes and mountain backdrops. With well-placed hazards and lush, rolling fairways, these courses offer a top-notch golfing experience.

  1. Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage

Home to three championship courses, Mission Hills Country Club has a rich golfing tradition. The Dinah Shore Tournament Course, host to the LPGA's ANA Inspiration, is famous worldwide. The Pete Dye Challenge Course and the Arnold Palmer Course both provide unique challenges and are beautifully maintained, promising an excellent golfing experience.

13. La Quinta Country Club, La Quinta

Along with PGA West, LQCC is a perennial host to the PGA Tour's American Express.  La Quinta was one of the first country clubs in the Coachella Valley and consequently is known for its mature growth trees and gently rolling terrain, having predated many of the earth moving technologies that enabled more recent Valley additions like Madison Club or Quarry.  The course is a more of a strategic course than many others in the desert, with immaculate putting greens that many tour pros recognize as the best on tour.  If you miss a putt at LQCC, it's because you really missed it!


Each of these private courses in the Coachella Valley provides not only a great golf game but also an immersion into a world of luxury and elegance. The manicured greens, sparkling water features, world-class facilities, and stunning vistas are a testament to the quality and prestige of these establishments.

However, golfing at these courses is not just about the game; it's about the experience. It's about strolling down lush fairways, admiring the beautiful surroundings, relishing the challenge of each hole, and afterward, enjoying the exceptional facilities and services. These clubs' exclusivity adds an extra layer of allure, making each round of golf feel like a truly special occasion.


In conclusion, whether you're a scratch golfer or new to the game, the private golf courses of the Coachella Valley offer an unrivaled experience. They embody the unique blend of natural beauty, luxury, and challenge that makes golfing in the Coachella Valley so distinctive and cherished. Whether it's the timelessness of the Tradition, the exclusivity of the Madison Club, or the historical charm of Eldorado, there's a course to suit every golfer's taste. So, here's to private golfing in the Coachella Valley – where every round is a memorable event.

Cullen Hilkene