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Rating Index Rating
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4.6
960 Reviews (960)
5 Stars
606
4 Stars
270
3 Stars
61
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
11
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.3
89.7%
Recommend this course
886 out of 960 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
13 Reviews (13)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.7
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.2
Amenities
3.8
StaffFriendliness
4.3
76.9%
Recommend this course
10 out of 13 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
35 Reviews (35)
5 Stars
23
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.1
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.6
82.9%
Recommend this course
29 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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Shadow Ridge Golf Club
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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

4.6
960 Reviews (960)

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.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Fun & challenging layout

Overall Awesome! Staff was great. The layout was much better than expected. Each hole was completely different. Most courses although the holes are not the same, there is a similar feel throughout the course. In the case of this course each hole felt different and new. Each challenge unique. I only had 2 complaints, both of which are minor.
1 the fairways were a bit thin. I think it was due to when I played which may have been just after reseeding.
2 The greens although in great shape were very inconstant in speed, making it very difficult to gauge the pace at which to putt the ball. Allowing for slope a 10 foot put should go the same distance on each green, therefore consistent.
So in conclusion, other than my frustration on the greens my experience was great. A must play for anyone in or around the area. My friend an I can't wait till we get to play there again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

PLAY THE RIGHT TEES OR SUFFER!!!

The course is challenging, requires good drives and accurate Irons. Some relief around the greens BUT YOU CAN'T MISS IN THE WRONG PLACE.
Play the right tee box for your game or you will suffer. I had 2 idiots playing with me who insisted on playing the tips and it was hard to watch !!

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Awesome Facility

Had a second opportunity to play this fantastic Course. is well laid out, with awesome greens, terrific fairways and super well-placed bunkers.
the course has some difficult rough and some areas off the fairways that can cause you grief.
Overall a truly terrific experience that you'll want to challenge. I can't wait un till the next opportunity to play here.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

none

none nothing more to say, if not good enough cancel.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

While we are young

Great golf course and in great condition. The bunkers could be better as I thought they needed more sand in them. The pace of play was very bad. There was always at least 3 groups on the same hole from start to finish. The group in front of ours called the clubhouse on several occasions to try to speed up the play, but nothing happened. The ranger came out 1 time and explained to our group that the front 9 was designed to play slow but we would be able to make up time on the back 9. That did not happen.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Enjoyed the day very much!

I booked through golfnow.comsenile on vacation as a single and unfortunately played by myself. The staff tried their best to match me up but couldn't make it happen. Everyone from the starter and pro shop staff to the greens staff and waitress in the restaurant were very engaging to make sure I had a good experience. The golf course was in great shape and a fun challenge

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Tournament course

Shadow Ridge is a very good course. However it is more of a tournament course rather than a resort course. The fairways are wide but the penalties for missing a green are severe. IMHO, the slope and undulation of the greens are a little over done. The fairways are plush and the greens are very fast. Look on Golf Now for a discounted rate as the green fees are a little over priced. Play it to satisfy your curiosity, but there are more player friendly courses at a better rate. The staff is first rate, friendly and helpful for whatever you need. The practice facility is the best I've seen.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Challenging

This was a fun but challenging course. Lots and lots of bunkers. The course is very well maintained

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Can't stop a ball when chipping... Runs out

Was it good condition but the bunkers were terrible there was no sand in them. Didn't care too much for the course.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Spectacular -- Legit 4.5 star course

Fantastic layout -- great mix of holes and distances, some you can relax on and some you can't (#10 and #18 are beasts). Superb course conditions. Challenging w/o being tricked up at all. Very beautiful course. Fairways fairly generous, no rough but bunkers everywhere. Really, really, really fun.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

One of the most beautiful and best maintained courses in the region!

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the great service and absolutely beautiful and still challenging course. Couldn't have asked for better. The price is a lttle high, but worth it!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Brush up on your bunker play!

Everything about this course is top notch. Enjoyed it from the 1st tee on. Mr. Faldo did his best to make it punitive to land in those many traps, but the fairways are generous and the greens accessible with a good shot. Staff was extremely courteous and friendly.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Awesome course

Had a great game! Course was in excellent condition. Weather was exceptional. staff at the course were amazing.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

You have to play this one.

Great staff and the course was in excellent condition. The fairways are generous but you have to play well to score good.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 36
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Plenty of fun and challenge here!

Just reseeded for winter play and cart path only. Very green; greens were a little furry. But all of that was expected and communicated. Plenty of mounding in the fairways and on the greens. Good variety of holes. Very challenging with a great #18.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Very Nice Resort Golf

Lush course for a great round of vacation golf! If you're looking for rolling, yet open fairways; undulating, yet soft, large greens and holes that offer many ways to score low....Marriott's Shadow Ridge is your Coachella Valley golf destination.
You can definitely find much more challenging courses that will test your skills, but Shadow Ridge is a great bet for the average golfer who likes an opportunity to hit great shots and score low. Take the time to play here on your next trip to the desert!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice Course and Design

We were fortunate to play the first day after the course reopened from reseeding and sanding. Becasue of it the course was in great shape with the exceptiosn of the greens. A bit on the hairy side, but I can see how they can get quick once they are mowed.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Well maintained challenging course

Played 2 days before the fall overseed but the course condition was still very good. Would certainly go back and play it under normal conditions. Recommended.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course is great for all kind of golfers.

They were thatching for over seeding on a couple of holes other than that course was in great shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course - Great Conditions

This beautiful challenging course is a must to play. The course combines scenic, fun and challenging holes.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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Golf Packages

Best of Indian Wells Package

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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.

Best of Indian Wells Package

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The Palm Mountain Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

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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

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Aviara Stay & Play Package

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