Indian Wells Golf Resort
Two contrasting par 72 courses, a vast clubhouse and the Santa Rosa Mountains for a backdrop, all open to the public in the heart of Greater Palm Springs. Indian Wells is one of the desert's best value 36-hole stops, the Celebrity by Clive Clark and the Players by John Fought.
Photo: Indian Wells Golf Resort via Google.
The verdict
Indian Wells Golf Resort is the desert golfer's reliable double header, two distinct championship courses owned by the city and open to all, set against the Santa Rosa Mountains in the most golf rich corner of California. The Celebrity Course, a Clive Clark design from 2006, is the showpiece, all waterfalls, flowers and dramatic framing over about 6,985 yards. The Players Course, John Fought's 2007 layout, is the firmer, more strategic test at about 6,626 yards, built for the golfer who wants to think.
Together they make Indian Wells a standout stop on a Palm Springs golf trip, recognized among the best municipal golf in the country and far more polished than the word municipal suggests. The 53,000 square foot clubhouse, the conditioning and the mountain views all punch above the green fee, which is exactly why traveling golfers keep coming back to a course you do not need a membership to enjoy.
Indian Wells at a glance
- Opened
- 2006 and 2007
- Designers
- Clark and Fought
- Type
- Desert resort
- Par
- 72 and 72
- Yardage
- To about 6,985 yds
- Green fee
- From about 90 dollars
Designers, opening years and pars verified June 2026 from Indian Wells Golf Resort and leading course databases. The Celebrity Course (Clive Clark, 2006) is a par 72 of about 6,985 yards and the Players Course (John Fought, 2007) is a par 72 of about 6,626 yards. The indicative fee from about 90 dollars in summer to roughly 225 in 2026 winter high season changes by season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking.
The two courses worth the trip
The Celebrity Course is the postcard. Clive Clark draped it with water features, including a signature island fairway and waterfall holes, manicured flower beds and bold mountain backdrops that make it the camera favorite of the pair. It is fun, generous off many tees and demanding around the greens, and it plays as the resort showpiece for good reason.
The Players Course is the connoisseur's pick. John Fought built it firmer and more old school, with deep bunkering, smart angles and a stronger emphasis on shot shaping and the ground game. It asks more questions off the tee and rewards a complete player, which is why many regulars rate it the better test even as the Celebrity wins the photographs.
Playing both over two days is the move, ideally in the cooler months when desert turf runs firm and fast. The contrast is the appeal: one course to enjoy and photograph, one to study and conquer, both immaculately kept and both open to anyone who books a tee time.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public, daily fee city resort; both courses open to visiting golfers by tee time |
| Green fee | From about 90 dollars in summer to roughly 225 in winter high season, indicative 2026; rates vary by season, day and time |
| Booking | Book online or through the golf shop; reserve well ahead for the winter and spring peak season |
| On the day | Carts standard in the desert heat; the clubhouse and practice facilities are excellent; consider an early or twilight tee time in summer |
| Getting there | Indian Wells, Coachella Valley, about 25 minutes from Palm Springs and two hours from Los Angeles by car |
| Best months | November to April for the desert high season; summer is hot, so play early or at twilight for value |
Access and fees verified June 2026; desert resort pricing changes sharply by season and demand, so always confirm the current green fee and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Indian Wells is ringed by resort hotels, several within a short shuttle of the first tee, and the wider Greater Palm Springs area offers everything from boutique mid century stays to large group friendly resorts. It is one of the easiest places in American golf to build a stay and play around, with dozens of courses within a short drive.
For a fuller California desert golf trip, Indian Wells anchors a Coachella Valley swing well, and pairs naturally with the area's other standout public courses across the region's best California golf.
Looking for a base in Greater Palm Springs? See our recommended hotels and resorts.
Build a California desert golf trip
We arrange the Indian Wells tee times across both courses, pair them with the best of the Coachella Valley and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Indian Wells Golf Resort questions
Who designed the courses at Indian Wells Golf Resort?
Indian Wells Golf Resort has two courses. The Celebrity Course was designed by Clive Clark and opened in 2006, and the Players Course was designed by John Fought and opened in 2007. Both are par 72 desert layouts.
What are the par and length of the Indian Wells courses?
The Celebrity Course is a par 72 of about 6,985 yards and the Players Course is a par 72 of about 6,626 yards, both framed by the Santa Rosa Mountains near Palm Springs.
How much does it cost to play Indian Wells Golf Resort?
Indicative green fees run from about 90 US dollars in summer to roughly 225 in the 2026 winter high season, when the desert is at its best. Rates change by season, day and time, so always confirm directly before booking.
Can visitors play Indian Wells Golf Resort?
Yes. Indian Wells is a public, daily fee resort facility, so visiting golfers can book both courses. The peak season runs through the cooler winter and spring months, so reserve ahead.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designers, opening years, pars and yardages verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.