Overview
City-owned Clive Clark design with Golfweek Top 20 credentials
18 Holes
72 Par
6,985 Yards Cabernet tees
136 Slope Rating 73.5
Clive Clark brought a distinctly British sensibility to the Celebrity Course — the water features here aren't the standing-lake variety but moving water, brooks and streams and waterfalls that create depth perception challenges uncommon in the desert. Split-level lakes compound the issue by making carries appear shorter than they measure, which is the kind of design intelligence that separates a competent resort course from a genuinely interesting one. The Golfweek Top 20 recognition for Best Courses You Can Play in California reflects the quality of what city ownership has been able to maintain through Troon's management — tournament-calibre conditioning at public rates. The shared 53,000-square-foot clubhouse with the Players Course and Kestrel's food and beverage operation makes the Indian Wells facility genuinely destination-worthy beyond the golf itself.
Golfweek Best Courses You Can Play in California — #24 2019
Golfweek Best Municipal Courses in the Country — #6 2009
Golfweek Top 200 Resort Courses — T198 2025
GolfPass Golfers' Choice — Top Courses in California #15 2024
Before You Play
At Indian Wells – Celebrity Course
Caddie's Notes
4 things worth knowing before your round — from tee selection to where to eat when you're done.
01
Course Character & Design
Clive Clark designed the Celebrity Course with a distinctly British sensibility — the water features here aren't standing lakes but moving water, with brooks, streams, and cascading waterfalls creating an audio and visual environment unlike any other desert course. The 2006 layout threads fairways through split-level water features on city-owned land managed by Troon, and the combination of design pedigree and municipal ownership creates a rare intersection of quality and accessibility. The two-time PGA Skins Game host (2007–2008) and 2025 Epson Tour Championship venue.
02
Signature Holes
The cascading waterfall holes are the Celebrity's calling card — several approach shots play over or alongside moving water in a way that creates pressure you simply don't encounter on courses with static lakes. The Skins Game holes from 2007–2008 remain among the most dramatic sequences on any public course in the valley, combining water, bunkering, and elevation in high-stakes combinations.
03
Course Conditions
TifEagle Bermuda greens are maintained to a standard that matches the Golfweek Top 20 ranking — Troon management keeps the conditioning at a level that justifies the premium end of the fee range. The 53,000 sq ft clubhouse anchored by Kestrel, Richard Blais's kitchen, elevates the overall experience beyond what most public courses offer.
04
Before You Play
Walking is allowed but the course sprawls enough that carts are the practical choice. Full grass range and short game area on-site. Kestrel — the Richard Blais restaurant in the clubhouse — is a destination dining experience that warrants planning around, not just a post-round afterthought. The Celebrity and Players courses share the same facility, so a two-course day is seamless. Green fees run $60–$300, with the peak-season premium reflecting both Troon conditioning and the clubhouse experience.
Course Details
The Essentials
Designer Clive Clark
Opened 2006
Access Public/muni
Course Type Desert
Walking Walk or ride
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 Kestrel (Richard Blais Kitchen + Lounge)
Lodging None
Green Fees $60 – $300
Best Months November-April
Peak Season January-April
Nearest Airport PSP · 20 min
Notable Features
Clive Clark design opened 2006 on city-owned land managed by Troon; fairways threaded through streams, brooks, and split-level lakes linked by cascading waterfalls; two-time PGA Skins Game host (2007–2008) and 2025 Epson Tour Championship venue; one of only two courses at a single California facility both ranked in Golfweek's Top 20 Best Courses You Can Play; 53,000 sq ft clubhouse anchored by Kestrel, Richard Blais's acclaimed kitchen.
Tee Information
Scorecard
| Tee | Gender | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabernet | M | 72 | 6,985 | 73.5 | 136 |
| Blue | M | 72 | 6,580 | 71.7 | 131 |
| Yellow | M | 72 | 6,270 | 70.3 | 127 |
| White | M | 72 | 5,942 | 68.8 | 123 |
| Green | M | 72 | 5,542 | 66.9 | 119 |
| Silver | M | 72 | 5,214 | 65.4 | 115 |
Ratings and yardages are approximate and may vary by season. Verify with the pro shop before your round.
Photo Gallery
Indian Wells – Celebrity Course in Pictures
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Getting Here
Location
Indian Wells – Celebrity Course
44500 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells, CA 92210
✈ PSP — approx. 20 min Indian Wells
⛳ Indian Wells – Players Course — Less than 1 mile away
FAQ
Common Questions
The Celebrity Course is the more established layout with the stronger tournament pedigree (PGA Skins Game host, longer conditioning history). The Players Course completed a $13.5M renovation in December 2025 and is brand new in feel — greens and tees rebuilt throughout. Both are Golfweek Top 20 CA courses.
Yes — Kestrel, Richard Blais's restaurant in the 53,000-square-foot shared clubhouse, is genuinely one of the best post-round dining options in the valley. Build in time after your round.
Yes — ryegrass overseeding runs November through March. Expect transition variability in late October/November and March/April.
