Desert Falls CC
A view of a green and snowy mountains in background at Desert Falls Country Club.
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
3.9
1437 Reviews (1437)
5 Stars
437
4 Stars
637
3 Stars
232
2 Stars
83
1 Stars
48
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.9
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
3.9
Pace
4.2
Amenities
3.3
77.9%
Recommend this course
1170 out of 1437 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.9
79 Reviews (79)
5 Stars
20
4 Stars
37
3 Stars
18
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.9
Value
4.0
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.1
Amenities
3.0
StaffFriendliness
3.4
81.0%
Recommend this course
64 out of 79 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.8
140 Reviews (140)
5 Stars
38
4 Stars
58
3 Stars
32
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
8
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.9
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.2
Amenities
3.1
StaffFriendliness
3.7
76.4%
Recommend this course
107 out of 140 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Semi-Private
Style Links
Par 72
Length 6686 yards
Slope 143
Rating 79.5

Can bunkers qualify as their own continent? Desert Falls Country Club in Palm Desert seems determined to find out.

This Ron Frehm design boasts bunkers so huge that they look like the inventor of the Big Gulp came up with them. And escape is anything but guaranteed. Sometimes getting out of one bunker, just means landing in another at Desert Falls.

That is just part of the reason this course totes a 128 slope rating - putting it among the five highest slope ratings in the entire Palms Springs area. Remember, this is the golf mecca with Pete Dye's Stadium Course, which was only designed to be "the toughest golf course in the world." Desert Falls is on that list.

There are five sets of tees to take away some of the bite. But the greens are still an obstacle of their own. These are undulating greens that are large enough to offer several varieties of challenges.

Just getting on the green is not enough at Desert Falls. It's important to land on the right part of the green. This is also a course with more hills than you expect to see in the desert.

Book a Tee Time at
Desert Falls Country Club
Powered by GolfNow.com
Hot Deals at Desert Falls Country Club

Course Details

Year Built 1984
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Tifdwarf Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Ron Fream (1984) Chris Pitman (1984)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Proper golf attire required.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities, Banquet Facilities
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

3.9
1437 Reviews (1437)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Early TeeTime

Course was in excellent condition, rough was very manageable when you got off the fairway. Finding your ball was easier than previous years I’ve played there when you were lucky to find your ball in the very thick rough. Greens were very receptive and fast. Greens keeper had the pins tucked away in the corners today. Was challenging and very difficult to get at if you were short sided. Had the first TeeTime of the day so got through the course in excellent time

Played it yesterday and am playing it again on Friday.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun time

This course is a fun layout for any golfer. Plenty of challenges depending on the pin placement. I will visit them again for the right price like this time

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Desert Falls Stumble

The course took me down again. The bunkers aren't well maintained & are close to dirt. Other that that course was in good shape and the greens rolled good with pretty good speed. The water on #9 & #18 will get your attention.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 29
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Interesting Layout

Well maintained course with an interesting layout. Some of the holes are quite challenging, but overall a very nice course to play. We really enjoyed our round.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Just average

Pro shop was awesome, staff were terrific. Fairways weren’t. Greens ok. Not the best value.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Desert Falls

Disappointed, mostly in the layout. Too difficult for average golfer resulting in slow play. A few nice holes but too many holes requiring layups, awkward terrain with unnecessary mounds and water. Not too crowded I think because word of mouth is probably not good and there are dozens of other courses in the area that are a lot prettier and fun.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

American Express golf tournament trip

Have recommended this course many times since playing it on January 14, 2025. The course is in great condition. Layout is very challenging. Multiple tee boxes permit play by all levels of golfers.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great golf day

First time at Desert Falls. Marvelous experience. Highly recommend for any golfer.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Nice pace

Had a relaxing round all the snow birds have not arrived yet so it was great. Was a twosome round so it was awesome

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked

Desert Falls is underrated

Desert Falls is a very good track but gets no love among golfers. There are reasons for this but as a zero handicap, I have comments for the haters. First, the condition of the course is consistent with a public track. If you're looking for pristine Palm Springs conditions you will be happier at Indian Wells or even Desert Willow. Yes, you need to purchase range balls and there is no decent food and beverage offering but the course is the winner here. The bunkers are fair and in good shape (despite the negative talk) and the greens, while slow, are healthy and hold good shots. Second, this track has architecture chops. Some of the greens from front to back total 75 yards (not feet, yards!). The 14th green is a diabolical cloverleaf design and would be home among any top 100 course. On day one on the 18th hole, I was driver/9 iron to a front flag but on day two (after mostly the same distance for my drive) I was driver/hybrid out of rough to a back flag. You won't find that much variety among most Palm courses. And speaking of rough, yes there is rough but if you watch where your ball lands you will find it. The rough will cover the soles and sides of your shoes, not your ankles. Last point is value. To all the singles, you can book a single time early (great for family trips) and my fees were $70 and $100. For a difficult golf course, that is excellent value. And you can walk too which is way more enjoyable than cart golf. All in, I would definitely recommend this track to golfers who take their golf seriously and aren't bothered by a public vibe. Good luck!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Nearby Courses
Palm Desert, California
Private
0.0
0
Palm Desert, California
Private
4.25
4
Palm Desert, California
Private
0.0
0
Palm Desert, California
Resort
4.1737215999
2188
Palm Desert, California
Resort
4.7267215341
792
Palm Desert, California
Private
0.0
0
Palm Desert, California
Private
5.0
1
Palm Desert, California
Resort
4.4932714344
670
Palm Desert, California
Private
3.6666666667
3
Palm Desert, California
Private
3.6666666667
3
Palm Desert, California
Private
0.0
0
Palm Desert, California
Resort
4.2470278346
1818
Golf Packages

Best of Indian Wells Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy accommodations at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort, the Tommy Bahama Resort & Spa, the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, or the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa and golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort - Celebrity & Players Courses.

Best of Indian Wells Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy accommodations at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort, the Tommy Bahama Resort & Spa, the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, or the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa and golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort - Celebrity & Players Courses.

The Palm Mountain Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at Palm Mountain Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, Indian Canyons – North Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.

The Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.

The Lodge At Torrey Pines Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
LA JOLLA, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge at Torrey Pines and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Torrey Pines – South Course and Torrey Pines – North Course.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account