Golf Tips for Playing on Coachella Valley

Having played many rounds as a single, I meet a variety of people visiting the area. If you are playing at my home course, I typically act as a guide to the course. I get the questions on other course recommendations, restaurants, and other things to do in the area. Living here year-round, I have developed some habits to help keep me playing safe and having fun.

Besides the golf courses, there are many activities to see and do in Coachella Valley. The Palm Springs Arial Tram, Walk of the Stars, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, The Shops at El Paseo, Palm Springs Street Market, Jeep Tours, Joshua Tree, Coachella Music Festival, Stagecoach Festival, various museums and art houses, Casinos, live shows, many great restaurants and much more. We also have the best medical professionals, emergency personal, and hospitals in the country, but these are not places or people high on anyone’s list to see when visiting. Everyone wants to come and have a good time so the goal of the tips page is to provide information to make the golf experience enjoyable.

Note: I am not a medical professional nor am I giving medical advice. You should talk to your physician about playing in extreme conditions.

Weather

Golf courses in different parts of the country close for Winter, but you can play golf all year round in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. Obviously, there are some factors to consider, and the weather is a big one.

The weather in the valley changes throughout the year from extremely hot to chilly. You need to be aware of the playing conditions and plan accordingly. Weather.com is a very helpful website to track the weather forecast. Specifically, the hourly temperature forecast can help you zero-in on the ideal time to avoid extreme weather conditions.

From mid-October to end of March is the regular Golf season, but there are some caveats to the months of October and November that will be covered below. Temperatures during the season are cool to chilly. Wearing warmer clothing is recommended. The music festivals in March and April mark the end of the season as the weather starts to heat up.

The hotter months of June through September get very hot. Temperatures in the summer of 2024 hit 117F during the day, and drop to 100F at night. It is possible to play golf in the summer months, but this will require t get up at 4:30AM to get a 6AM to 6:30 AM tee time to get the cooler temperatures (90F to 100F). Be aware playing that early in the morning with sun low in the horizon means you might have play with the sun in your eyes for a few holes.  Most course will have the last tee time scheduled for 10AM, but you might only get 9 holes in before the temperature is too hot to play.

The wind is also something to consider. Palm Springs is known for all the windmills in the San Gorgio Pass. Free electricity from the wind is great, but the wind can wreak havoc on a round of golf. Again, check the weather forecast ahead of time.

• Hydration – Staying hydrated is the key to playing a safe round of golf in the desert. Bring a water bottle. Most courses have water stations at various points on the course where you can fill up a water bottle. Make sure there is plenty ICE in the golf cart cooler and get drinks before you start your round. Some courses have water bottles in the coolers already. Keep in mind, there might not be a drink cart on the course during the summer.


• Cooler with bottle water on ice in your car- If you drove to course, I recommend keeping a cooler with bottle water on ice. The short drive to your hotel or rental can get longer when you are hot and thirsty. Having a cool drink at the ready when waiting for a stop light can make the driver back more comfortable.


• Sun screen, Aloe Vera, and lip balm – There are several dermatologists in the area for a reason. It goes without saying that you will be playing in the sun and getting UV exposure during your round. Covering the skin with sun screen before your round is strongly advisable. Even if it is a cloudy day, wear sun screen. Using lip balm is something that shouldn’t be neglected. Even if you don’t get a sunburn, Aloe Vera can help moisturize the skin after your round.


• Golf sleeves - during the summer months, sun screen might not be enough, and it is a good idea to put on the golf sleeves to protect your arms.


• Neck Towel – There are some special golf towels design to get cool when placed under water. Having a cool towel around the neck is helpful on the hot days, but it doesn’t last long.


• UV clothing – Most sportswear manufactures are calling out their clothing’s UV protection. I don’t know what is scientifically proven. I have experienced some sportswear are better than others.

Wild Life

• Leash rule – if the animal is not on a leash don’t touch or approach it. One person told me about a strange dog they spotted on the course and they want to pet it. The strange dog was coyote, and coyotes are looking for food. Don’t be their food. Mostly coyotes are scared of you, but don’t chance it.


• Eye and ears – take caution if you have to search for wayward balls off the fairway. Some of the wild life can blend into the landscape.


• Wayward pets – Sadly some pet parents decide to not be parents anymore and just drop off their pets in the desert. If you spot one of these strays, please take a picture of the pet and alert the golf staff so they can get animal rescue. The picture helps the rescuers to know what to look for.

Golf Course Closures During the Year

• Finding which courses are open during aeration and overseeding can be a challenge so make sure you check out the course’s website for their maintenance schedule. The course page on this site has links to all the courses.

Golf Stores

Have a Great Round

I hope you find these tips helpful. Feel free to send questions or recommendations. Play safe, have fun, and knock it close.