With a guarantee of eight hours of sun, short-sleeve temperatures, less than an inch of rain in the month and more than 100 golf courses to choose from, few destinations can rival the Greater Palm Springs area in December.
Arguably at the top of the list of California desert golf is iconic PGA West, which in 2026 will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Pete Dye Stadium Course. PGA West, located a short drive from Palm Springs in La Quinta, California, has nine courses (five resort and four private), earning the moniker of the “Western Home of Golf in America.”
“With courses designed by the talents of Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf and Greg Norman, PGA West provides an immediate draw,” says resort executive director Ben Dobbs. “Golfers know they’re getting architectural variety and strategic interest, not just a collection of similar resort layouts. The recent restoration work on the iconic Pete Dye courses has strengthened that appeal even further, bringing their original character back to the forefront while enhancing playability.”
Dobbs notes that golfers at the PGA West resort move through dramatic desert landscapes, lush green corridors and iconic water features with enjoying their rounds.
“Each course carries its own personality, from Pete Dye’s bold visual framing and iconic Hole 17 on the Stadium Course — known famously as ‘Alcatraz’ for its challenging island green – to the more classic feel of the Nicklaus designs, such as Hole 18 on the Nicklaus Tournament course, a long par 4 with bunkers with a long water hazard on the right side,” Dobbs says. “It gives players a sense of taking several golf trips within one stay.”
A new addition to the PGA West golf portfolio is the Performance Lab, a state-of-the-art facility redefining golf instruction in the Coachella Valley of Southern California. The Performance Lab builds on PGA West’s premier Golf Academy, blending expert instruction with cutting-edge tools designed to help golfers of all levels refine their skills.
“The new Performance Lab provides visitors access to PGA Tour caliber diagnostics and coaching in a single session,” says PGA West director of instruction Bryan Lebedevitch. “Travelers can pair vacation golf with customized game improvement, which has become a major draw. It elevates PGA West from a great place to play to also a great place to develop as a golfer.”
Lebedevitch sees a trend of more and more golf travelers not only taking advantage of great golf but top-notch instruction while on a vacation.
“Golfers want experiences with lasting value,” he says. “A round is memorable. A round plus insights that help them play better back home is even more appealing. Technology-driven instruction has made that possible in shorter time frames.”
The debut of the Performance Lab follows PGA West’s recent multi-million-dollar revitalization, completed in January 2025, which included updates to its three Pete Dye golf courses and enhancements to the Pete Dye Clubhouse. Together, these updates help reinforce PGA West’s status as one of California’s most legendary golf destinations.
“When golfers ask me my favorite things about PGA West I always list the variety of golf, the conditioning and the scenery at the top,” Lebedevitch says. “And the courses challenge players in different ways but consistently present fun moments as a golfer navigates them. And our incredible practice facilities and instructional offerings give guests a well-rounded environment to make the most of their experience. It’s not every day you can take a golf lesson with a Top 100 instructor who has trained pros, and that’s part of the appeal at PGA West.”
PGA WEST is offering what it calls “Festive Fairways” through Jan. 5. The special costs $799 and includes:
- Three rounds of golf on Pete Dye’s Stadium, Mountain and Dunes Courses.
- Unlimited range access to warm up before each round.
- A holiday welcome gift.
- Merchandise discounts at the PGA WEST golf shops.
- Seasonal food and cocktails.
- Complimentary time on the indoor golf simulator.
Dobbs has been at the resort close to a decade and overseen numerous improvements that has kept PGA West’s impeccable reputation.
“I’m proud of the work we’ve done to honor the legacy of PGA West while restoring the courses to the standard they deserve,” Dobbs says. “Maintaining the history and integrity of these designs is our priority, and it’s been rewarding to bring them back to their prime through thoughtful improvements and elevated conditioning. We continue to advance the property. The debut of the Performance Lab represents the next chapter in PGA West’s evolution, where golfers of all levels can hone their skills, all in a destination renowned for PGA pros playing here or family or group golf getaways.”
Dozens of professional Tour events over more than three decades have allowed a visual showcase to potential golf travelers around the world.
“The long history with the PGA Tour has catapulted our courses into a spotlight that very few destinations receive,” Dobbs says. “When players can walk the same fairways the pros have faced, it adds instant credibility and curiosity. Many guests want that “I played where the Tour plays” moment, and several of our private club members first fell in love with PGA West during vacations here to watch The American Express tournament.”
Oh yeah, and then there is that weather factor.
“When much of the country receives snow and cold rains these days, Palm Springs delivers sunny fairways, warm temperatures and a full slate of golf,” Dobbs says. “December through February is peak golf season for a reason. Players can reliably count on playable weather and exceptional conditions.”