Desert Springs – Valley Course

Overview

The forgiving sibling with a deceptive island par-4

18 Holes

72 Par

6,679 Yards Black tees

131 Slope Rating 72.2

Where the Palm Course deploys water aggressively throughout, the Valley Course uses it with more restraint and rolling terrain to create a round that rewards positioning without the constant forced-carry tension. The Santa Rosa Mountain panoramas are at their best on the back nine, where the terrain opens up and the scale of the Coachella Valley becomes genuinely visible between shots. The island-green par-4 16th is the course's defining strategic moment — a hole that asks for a clear decision off the tee before the green comes into range. Sharing 35 acres of resort water infrastructure with the Palm Course, the Valley enjoys the same spectacular water features at a slightly reduced difficulty level, making it the practical starting point for a two-course Desert Springs day. The 1988 Golf Digest Best New Course recognition puts it in elite company for a resort course of its era.

Golf Digest Best Courses You Can Play in Palm Springs (featured) 2025

Golf Digest Best New Resort Course — runner-up 1988

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74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260

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(760) 341-1756

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desertspringsgolf.com

Before You Play

At Desert Springs – Valley Course

Caddie's Notes

4 things worth knowing before your round — from tee selection to where to eat when you're done.

Course Character & Design

The Valley Course is the more forgiving companion to the Palm Course on the same JW Marriott property, using rolling terrain and gentler lines where the Palm deploys water aggressively. Ted Robinson Sr. still brought his signature water features — the island-green par-4 16th is one of the more unusual holes in the valley — but the overall routing gives more room off the tee and fewer forced carries. The Santa Rosa Mountain panoramas on the back nine are among the best views available from any resort course in the area.

Signature Holes

The par-4 16th with its island green is the standout — an unusual format for a par-4 that creates genuine decision-making on the approach. The steep hillside bunkering on several holes adds visual drama and demands precision on approaches, but the wider fairways mean the tee game is less punishing than on the Palm Course. The back nine's mountain views elevate what might otherwise be a straightforward resort round into something more memorable.

Course Conditions

TifEagle Bermuda greens match the Palm Course standard. The Valley shares the same 35-acre water system and the full grass range and short game area. Winter overseed follows the same schedule as the Palm — lush November through March, with transition variability on either end. The rolling terrain drains well, so the Valley tends to recover quickly after the rare desert rain.

Before You Play

Carts are required on both Desert Springs courses. The Valley is the recommended starting point for first-time visitors to the property — it's more forgiving off the tee and lets you acclimate to Robinson's water-feature vocabulary before taking on the Palm's more aggressive version. Same Rockwood Grill dining, same Marriott stay-and-play packages. Green fees mirror the Palm Course at $69–$275 depending on season.

Course Details

The Essentials

Designer Ted Robinson

Opened 1987

Access Resort

Course Type Desert

Walking Cart only

Caddies Not available

Greens TifEagle Bermuda

Fairways Bermuda

Short Game Area Yes

Driving Range Grass

Club Rental Available

GPS Carts Included

Golf Trail Palm Desert & Indian Wells

Instruction Available

Dining Rockwood Grill

Lodging JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

Green Fees $69 – $275

Best Months November-April

Peak Season January-April

Nearest Airport PSP · 25 min

Notable Features

Ted Robinson Sr. companion to the Palm Course at the JW Marriott Desert Springs; more forgiving lines and rolling terrain offset by an island-green par-4 16th and steep hillside bunkering; Golf Digest Best New Course runner-up 1988; shares 35 acres of resort water features with the Palm Course; Santa Rosa Mountain panoramas frame the back nine.

Tee Information

Scorecard

Tee	Gender	Par	Yardage	Rating	Slope
Black	M	72	6,679	72.2	131
Black/Blue	M	72	6,499	71.4	129
Blue	M	72	6,377	70.8	127
Blue/White	M	72	6,203	70	125
White	M	72	6,063	69.4	123
Red	M	72	5,314	66	115

◆ Ratings and yardages are approximate and may vary by season. Verify with the pro shop before your round.

Photo Gallery

Desert Springs – Valley Course in Pictures

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Getting Here

Location

Desert Springs – Valley Course

74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260

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✈ PSP — approx. 25 min Palm Desert

⛳ Desert Springs – Palm Course — Less than 1 mile away

FAQ

Common Questions

Start with the Valley Course — it's the more forgiving layout and gives you a better read on the property's rhythm before taking on the Palm Course's more demanding finish. If you only have time for one, the Palm Course has the stronger closing sequence.

Yes — both courses overseed with ryegrass November through March. Winter playing conditions are lush; expect variable turf during transition windows in late October/November and March/April.

The par-4 16th island green is the defining hole — it requires a clear strategy off the tee before the green comes into play. The approach angle rewards a precise drive; the water surrounds the entire putting surface.

Desert Springs – Valley Course

The forgiving sibling with a deceptive island par-4

At Desert Springs – Valley Course

The Essentials

Scorecard

Desert Springs – Valley Course in Pictures

What Golfers Are Saying

Location

Common Questions

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