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.