19300 Palm Drive,
Desert Hot Springs, California 92240
Office
+1 (760) 251 5370Pro shop
+1 (888) 42-DUNES (toll free)Fax
+1 (760) 251 5371Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Olen Bartley (General Mgr)The Course:
18 holes. Links-style. Relatively flat terrain.
Surroundings:
Desert environment.
Designer:
Robert Trent Jones Jr.
33.908712
-116.498170
3 miles N of Palm Springs
From I-10 at the northern end of the Coachella valley, take exit 123 (Palm Drive) and head north on Palm Drive, direction Desert Hot Springs. After 2 miles turn right into Desert Dunes Golf Club.
Desert Dunes
Desert Dunes Golf Club: Just two miles off Interstate 10, as you head-up towards Desert Hot Springs, you'll find what was one of the best of the Coachella Valley's lesser known gems. Variable maintenance standards would seem to have taken the edge of this layout in recent times.
With the imposing Big Bear and San Jacinto mountains looking down on the course, Desert Dunes is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, imbued with a wonderful, open linksy character. So links-like in fact, that you'll discover an authentic replica of the famous Swilken Bridge, straddling a small stream that separates the par-5 9th and long par-4 18th, with both these holes played to a huge double-green.
In an environment of gently undulating, pristine desert, with no intrusive housing, the wonderfully rolling fairways steer you towards stylishly bunkered, and often slightly elevated greens. Water hazards play their part on only a few holes, while the generally good-width fairways will be a comfort on those windier days.
If you stray too far offline, desert and a line of thick, unforgiving bushes await. On a few occasions things will feel a tad tighter from the tee, not least as you play through an attractive area of tall tamarisk trees at the 10th and 11th, before once again emerging into the desert openness.
As on any links course, your pitching and chipping skills will be fully utilised, with many run-off areas around the greens and abundant opportunities to play bump & run shots. As authentic a British links style design as you'll find anywhere in the American Southwest.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance.
Non-metal spike facility. Golf carts compulsory.
Good
Desert Dunes has hosted many top level competitions including qualifying tournaments for the US Open, PGA Tour and PGA Seniors Tour.
Just three miles north of Desert Dunes is the town of Desert Hot Springs, which became a popular destination from the 1950s because of its small spa and boutique hotels. Due to the San Andreas fault bisecting nearby Miracle Hill, the first homesteader in the area (Cabot Yerxa), discovered cold water on one side of Miracle Hill, but hot water on the other. His large adobe, hand built by Yerxa over 20 years in the early 1900s, is now one of the oldest adobe structures in Riverside County, and houses Cabot's Pueblo Museum.
222 S Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California 92262
+1 (760) 325 4372
Visit websiteDesigned with an award-winning Mediterranean flair, this Palm Springs hotel is located in the heart of Palm Springs, providing comfortable accommodation for business and leisure travellers to the area.
No
Cimarron; Tahquitz Creek
Desert Dunes (8 miles); Mission Hills; Shadow Ridge; Desert Willow; Desert Falls; Classic Club; Desert Springs; Heritage Palms; Indian Wells Resort.
67967 Vista Chino, Cathedral City, California 92234
+1 (760) 322 7000
Visit websiteNestled amid the beautiful San Jacinto Mountains, the Doral Palm Springs Resort offers an oasis of luxury and leisure. This four-star golf resort features world-class shopping, fine dining, and exciting entertainment - all just minutes from Palm Springs Regional Airport. The resort features 285 guestrooms and suites.
Desert Princess (not covered in WhereGolf.com)
Cimarron; Tahquitz Creek; Mission Hills (Player course); Desert Dunes (6 miles).
Mission Hills (Dye course); Shadow Ridge; Desert Willow; Desert Falls; Classic Club; Desert Springs; Heritage Palms; Indian Wells Resort.
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