The evolution of the golf courses 

The golf courses have actually been around since the mid-1980s. They were originally designed by Ted Robinson, and they were certainly good tests of golf, but nowhere near where they are now in terms of quality and enjoyment.

The transformation came as a result of redesigns of both courses in 2006 and ’07. Clive Clark redid what is now known as the Celebrity Course, and John Fought did the work on the Players Course. Known as the “Beauty and the Beast,” they contrast and complement each other well, and if you’re planning a trip to Indian Wells, you should most certainly play both of them. 

The Celebrity Course is the more “resorty” of the two. And it looks nothing like desert golf. That’s because it’s wall-to-wall grass and particularly stunning in late fall, winter and spring after it’s overseeded. Plus the flowers, cascading water, trees, and contours of the fairways and greens of the parkland layout make it one of the most picturesque courses you’ll ever play. It’s not particularly long and there are several sets of tees, so it’s really enjoyable for every level of golfer. Off the tee, it’s hard to put it in a spot where you can’t find it and hit it again. But you do have to hit some quality aproach and short-game shots and putts if you want to score. 

There are lots of memorable holes on the Celebrity Course. One that comes to mind immediately is the par-5 fourth. Hit a good drive there, and if you have some length, it’s reachable in two, but you will have to carry a pond to find a rather receptive green. A couple of holes later is one of the course’s signature par 3 holes, the sixth, which can play around 200 yards from the tips. There’s a pond and a cascading creek right of the green. It’s incredibly beautiful, and not easy. But again, if you play up, it’s only 100 yards or so from the front tees. 

The Players Course, as the name implies, is more of a tournament layout. While generous off the tee, the rough isn’t overseeded so there’s that contrast between the fairways and dormant Bermuda that gives it a different look. The bunkers are a little more penal on the Players Course, and the greens are more subtle and difficult to read. There’s some really tough holes, like the fifth, a 469-yard par-4 with a huge waste bunker right and below the fairway of this difficult dogleg right. Hit your tee shot in that sandy abyss, and you’re likely making double bogey or worse. And while there are certainly scoring opportunities, you’ll definitely need to play well to have success on the Players Course. The finishing hole, by the way, is not for the faint of heart. It’s a long par 4 with an approach over water to a wide green, where even if you’re successful, you could have a really difficult 100-foot putt depending on pin position. 

Beyond the golf courses, however, this is a great place to practice. Most recently, Indian Wells Golf Resort added the Toptracer experience to its covered range. There you can see your shots on the screen — distance, curvature, and how close they are to your targets. You can set up various games with your friends, while taking advantage of food and drink at the nearby food truck, which serves excellent burgers and quesadillas. In the evening the whole practice area is known as “Shots in the Night.” One of the most fun experiences is the laser putting game by Nextlinks on seven dedicated greens that you can play with your friends.