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Rating Index Rating
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4.7
955 Reviews (955)
5 Stars
606
4 Stars
266
3 Stars
60
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
11
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.4
90.2%
Recommend this course
882 out of 955 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
8 Reviews (8)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.0
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.3
75.0%
Recommend this course
6 out of 8 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
35 Reviews (35)
5 Stars
27
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.8
85.7%
Recommend this course
30 out of 35 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Strategically placed bunkers and heavily undulated greens create a rewarding challenge that consistently earns top marks for course layout and conditions. Exceptionally friendly staff and strong overall value make this desert resort course a repeat favorite for visiting golfers.

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Resort
Par 71
Length 7006 yards
Slope 135
Rating 73.7

Nick Faldo brings his exacting, often critical eye to West Coast golf for the first time at this Shadow Ridge Golf Course in Palm Desert. Faldo wanted a design that forced a ton of strategic choices and the architect team of Brian Curley and Lee Schmidt delivered for him.

Options? You want options!

Ten of Shadow Ridge's 18 holes are doglegs. The towering Santa Rosa Mountains serve as backdrop. The tall native tawny grasses contrasts sharply with the white sand bunkering. But it's the golf choices that are likely to seize your attention at this 7,006-yard, par-71 course.

The finish alone is enough to rattle an average golfer to the bone. No. 17 is a 157-yard par 3 that puts the wind in your face and nothing but trouble straight ahead. There's a lake to carry, deep bunkers and a green that slants left to right like a wayward chalkboard. No. 18, a 446-yard par-4, places both a stream and big fairway bunkers right in the straightest path to the green.

"The fairways are generous and the bunkering style is bold," Faldo said. "And the greens have plenty of subtle undulations that reward and encourage a variety of approach shots."

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Course Details

Year Built 2000
Golf Season Year round
Architect Nick Faldo (2000) Lee E. Schmidt (2000) Brian Curley (2000)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
GPS Yes
Clubs No

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes - "Golfzon Leadbetter Academy"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed No
Dress code Proper golf attire required.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities, Sauna, Locker Rooms

Available Activities

Swimming, Billiards

Available Sports

Fitness

Accolades

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Reviews

4.7
955 Reviews (955)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 44
Patio Dining 32
Brunch 20
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 79
Undulating Greens 70
Water Hazards 57
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 52
A Weekend Splurge 42
Locals 37
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 66
Convenient to the City 44
Worth the Drive 26

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great track

It was very windy on the driving range, but the layout of the course was amazing if you could keep your ball low, what a wonderful track to play on a calm day it must be amazing. It was my first time and can’t wait to play there again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing

Over rated

Horrible greens. Slow and not maintained. I dont understand why ppl giving good rating. A lot of dried up fairways. Go to other courses in Palm Springs area. Not worth the price

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
5.0

odd

I really wanted to play this course, but Golf Now has turned off the ability to read the reviews on courses.. when you pay 200-300.00 a round, it's nice to see the reviews before you commit. Especially when you need to cancel for an injury, and they only give you credit to use on Hot Deals even though you paid full price..

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Very Good

Great course. Superb practice facility. Greens and fairways in great condition. Rough over🫲🏽-seeded as well. One of the best courses I’ve played in the valley.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Always such a pleasure

My husband and I love this course and play when we are in the desert (we live in Canada).

Yesterday was the perfect day! We didn't see a single sole our entire round. Just the two of us and the weather was gorgeous and warm (but not too warm) and it was so peaceful and after all the recent precipitation, the course is in incredible condition.

The staff is amazing and so friendly and helpful. My husband forgot his phone in the clubhouse (They brought out) and then he left his rangefinder on the first hole and they brought that to him too. Just over the top. Definitely one of our favourite courses to play, I played white tees and husband played white/gold combo. Nice challenge but not so much that you're exhausted or defeated. Happy Hour in Giuseppe's after round was a great finish. Highly recommend this course and resort.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Picturesque

Very pretty golf course, with great views of the mountains. Challenging but fair golf course. Big deep bunkers throughout. Truly enjoyed playing here.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Loved it

Plays a little shorter than some other courses, but really fun and one of the best in the area

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 34
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Wish I would have known

The back 9 was being aeration and closed, so had to golf the front 9 2 (two) times.

I would have never accepted to play at this facility if golfnow accurate included this in their notes, while I was booking.

Yhe course sent an email 22 hrs prior to golfing, but it was to late to rebook and get a refund.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
4.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Walked

A Decent Round, But Missing the Desert Charm

The course is located right in the heart of the Marriott Villas, offering convenient access. The fairways and greens were in excellent condition, but the bunkers could use improvement—many had too little sand, making bunker shots difficult.

The layout is fairly straightforward and more forgiving than typical desert courses, which may appeal to casual players. However, the greens are heavily undulated, and if it's your first time playing here, those tricky slopes could easily cost you a few strokes.

Pace of play was reasonable—my round took about four hours, which is fair considering the June heat.

That said, I don’t plan to return. The course lacks the distinct character or ambiance you'd expect from a desert golf experience. It felt like a simple, pleasant layout—something you could find at a nice course anywhere, rather than a destination worth traveling for.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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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

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

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