It's no wonder that most think of Palm Springs as a golfer's paradise. With well over thirty challenging regulation courses, comfortable winter temperatures, world-class resorts and a dry climate to play in, there are few places that can hope to rival Palm Springs for a Golf Vacation destination. Putting them all against the backdrop of decidedly breathtaking mountain scenery makes this golfer's Mecca irresistible. You'll feel like a kid in an old-fashioned candy shop while you're there. The hardest part of writing this proved to be choosing which of these great courses to share.

They take the game of golf seriously in Palm Springs. Palm Springs Golf Packages and vacations are immortalized as one of the ultimate golfing destinations. Palm Springs is home to an enormous list of PGA tours, and most of these resorts have hosted at least one of them! Many of these resorts offer 27 to 36 holes, playable in various challenging combinations. With courses like that, you could spend your entire vacation at just one resort course and still not get it all ironed out. But why would you, with so many wonderful choices available, all within a short pleasant drive of each other? Lakes, ponds, hills, traps and even waterfalls are all par for the course in this magic kingdom.

The list of courses and their designers is a literal Who's Who of the golfing world. The list of PGA tour hosts is about equal rival to that. Each of these courses offers its own pleasures, sweet spots and challenges. Each of them has beautiful vistas to share. Accommodations are accessible and luxurious, polite and friendly.

We all appreciate a day on the course, and the beauty of Palm Springs won't go wasted, but that's only part of the story in this lap-of-luxury town. It's great to be able to shed those winter clothes on the plane and be soaking up the sun a few hours later. Boasting clear, blue skies nearly every day of the year, (and a pool in just about every back yard,) you're virtually guaranteed a trip full of wonderfully good days and comfortable rays.

There are a myriad of world-class resorts with luxurious day spas, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, and cocktails. Each is served up by pleasant, knowledgeable, capable sun-worshipping staff members. These are all part and parcel of the magic Palm Springs weaves for its visitors.

The desert nightlife includes everything from gourmet dining to surf & turf and sushi. Or if you'd rather something a bit less formal, you can relax with a pizza or burger and a beer. That's the great thing about this place ¾ there's literally something for every mood and moment. When the sun goes down, you can dance until dawn if you like. If a quiet evening out by the pool, taking in the desert stars is more your style, you're welcome to enjoy that as well.

The valley, which encompasses Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Indio, is indeed a magical place. Yet it's only a couple hours' drive from Los Angeles or San Diego and the ocean. If you're so inclined, you can play 18 holes in the morning and still make it to the mountains for a little downhill skiing. There are antique and Native American shops, art galleries, plenty of places to take in the Southwest feel of things amidst this hangout of Hollywood's most elite.

As you can see, in the end I decided not to decide. It's simply not possible to pick any one course or resort. They were all worthy of distinction, and each held sway during the time spent there. Naming any one place would be unfair to all of the others and their wonderful staffs, each of which went out of their way to make sure my stay was both pleasant and memorable. Perhaps this is the best recommendation: Book a flight and stay in the Palm Springs area for your next golf vacation. Enjoy the wonderful weather, the world-class courses and resorts. You're certain to be back often. Try each of them out and decide for yourself which part of this golfer's paradise you like best. Bet you can't pick just one!

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