JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm golf course
0 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm golf course
The Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs was designed by Ted Robinson Sr. and touched up by Ted Robinson Jr. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - driving range
1 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - driving range
The driving range at JW Marriott Desert Springs resort in Palm Desert, California. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 1
2 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 1
A long par 5 greets players as they get ready to start their round on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, California. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - no. 1
3 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - no. 1
A look at the first green and fairway on the par-5 first hole of the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, California. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 2
4 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 2
The par-4 second is among 12 holes with water features on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - 2nd
5 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - 2nd
Here's another look at the second hole on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, California. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 3
6 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 3
The par-3 third hole on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs plays over water. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 4
7 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 4
The par-4 fourth green on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs is protected by bunkers with crushed marble sand. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm G.C. - hole 5
8 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm G.C. - hole 5
The par-4 fifth is the No. 1 handicap hole on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, Calif. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm G.C. - 5th
9 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm G.C. - 5th
The bunker on the right is almost as large as the green at the par-4 fifth on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, Calif. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 6
10 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 6
The par-4 sixth green on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs is protected by water in front and a deep bunker in back. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm G.C. - 6th
11 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm G.C. - 6th
Watch out for the pond next to the sixth green on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, California. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 7
12 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 7
The par-5 seventh, at 575 yards, is the longest hole on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 8
13 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 8
The par-3 eighth green on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs is surrounded by bunkers. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm G.C. - hole 17
14 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm G.C. - hole 17
The par-3 17th green on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs is protected by water and sand. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 18
15 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm GC - hole 18
The 423-yard par-4 18th on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs is a great finishing hole. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm G.C. - 17th
16 of 17
JW Marriott Desert Springs - Palm G.C. - 17th
The par-3 17th is the one of the most beautiful holes on the Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, California. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
17 Images

A nice touch: Ted Robinson Sr.'s son spruces up his Palm golf course at JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, California

PALM DESERT, Calif. -- The Palm Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs was originally designed by Ted Robinson Sr. in the mid-1980s. When a touch-up of the course was needed, the resort decided to keep it in the family.

Ted Robinson Jr. retouched the Palm Course in the summer of 2011 (at a reported $15 million). The elder Robinson was known as "The King of Waterscapes," and the younger Robinson didn't adjust any of his signature water features. The Palm has water on 12 holes, so keep plenty of golf balls around.

Upgrades to the course included new tees, bunkers with crushed marble sand and greens that are now all up to USGA specifications.

The final three holes are as challenging as any you'll the Coachella Valley. The 409-yard, par-4 16th could be the best of any of the 36 on the property. The 160-yard, par-3 17th is an island green (so accuracy is key), and the 423-yard, par-4 18th features water all along the left side. It's a great finishing hole.

Born and raised in the former Soviet Union, photographer Oleg Volovik moved to the United States in 1992 and now lives with his wife and two children in Los Angeles. He joined the TravelGolf editorial team in 2010. Originally graduated with a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering he continued to dedicate his time and energy to his passion for visual arts and photography. Oleg has extensive experience in fine arts, fashion, event, architecture and journalistic photography. His work has been exhibited in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Moscow, where he also taught a master class, sponsored by Hewlett-Packard, in April 2007. He may be a novice golfer, but Oleg always wears a white leather glove during photo sessions. "Golf photography is my own 'game' with the beauty of nature and human creativity.

Related Links

The Valley Course at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, Calif., is surrounded by the Santa Rosa Mountains and offers a quiet play. A little more friendly than its sister Palm Course, Valley offers a stunning landscape covered with swaying palms and blue lagoons.
15 Images
Latest Popular Content
2 Min Read
September 6, 2023
Golf course logos come in a huge variety of styles, making hats, shirts and other accessories from pro shops very collectible. What are your favorite logos?
5 Min Read
July 27, 2023
Even with two of us winning on the same day on the PGA Tour, limited availability of golf clubs from major manufacturers still makes it tough to be a southpaw.
4 Min Read
September 14, 2023
Here's a look at the history of golf handicaps, how they are calculated, and where you can get one.
12 Min Read
August 30, 2023
Get to know every hole at the Home of Golf, the mother of golf courses around the world.
Spring will be here in no time—and our world-class courses, luxury accommodations and fine dining will be waiting! Will you be ready? Plan your 2023 golf outings now!
2 Min Read
September 6, 2023
This terrific twosome in Nisswa, Minnesota, is one of the anchors of golf in Brainerd, one of the Midwest's best golf destinations.
2 Min Read
July 16, 2023
Aces are meant to be celebrated, but how wild should you go?
Now Reading
A nice touch: Ted Robinson Sr.'s son spruces up his Palm golf course at JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, California