Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort - 6th
The sixth green on the Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort is protected by the sand bunker from the left.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Desert Springs Resort - flamingos
Flamingos mingle at Desert Springs Resort's main entrance.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Desert Springs Resort - Valley golf course
Waterfalls are spread all over Desert Springs Resort's Valley golf course.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Desert Springs Resort - residences
There are beautiful private residences at Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, California.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Desert Springs Resort - main lobby
If the Valley Course doesn't blow you away, the Desert Springs Resort's main lobby will.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort - 18th
The approach shot on no. 18th of the Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort is over the pond with a waterfall.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort - 17th
The 17th green on Desert Springs Resort's Valley golf course is elevated, and the fairway is very "wavy.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort - no. 11
Hit it short and you are setting in sand on No. 11 at Desert Springs Resort's Valley golf course.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort - no. 9
You'll want to keep it straight all the way to the green on the par-5 ninth on Desert Springs Resort's Valley golf course.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort - no. 8
You'll need to hit your tee shot over the water hazard on no. 8 at Desert Springs Resort's Valley Course.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort - no. 7
The seventh at Desert Springs Resort's Valley Course doglegs right to the green, protected by the water from the front and by the sand bunker from the back.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort - no. 5
The par-4 fifth hole on Desert Springs Resort's Valley Course slightly doglegs left to the green, protected by four sand bunkers.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort - no. 4
A green protected by three bunkers and a nearby residence await on the fourth hole of Desert Springs Resort's Valley Course.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort - no. 2
The green on No. 2 at Desert Springs' Valley Course is protected by three sand bunkers.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort - no. 1
A hilly fairway awaits on the first hole of the Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort.
Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
15 Images
PALM DESERT, Calif. -- Long a haven for everyone from Hollywood types to golfers on the go, the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, Calif., is a relaxing spot where guests enjoy frosty margaritas, hanging by the pool and listening to live music.
That is, of course, when they are not on one of Desert Springs' two stellar golf courses.
Surrounded by the Santa Rosa Mountains, Desert Springs Resort's Valley Course -- one of two Ted Robinson designs -- runs 6,627 yards with a slope of 127, with fairways molded to funnel even some sub-par shot back to more playable lies.
A bit quieter and playing a little more friendly than its sister
Palm Course, Valley meanders along the outskirts of the resort property. Considered the less challenging of the two, the course offers a stunning landscape covered with swaying palms and blue lagoons (between the two courses, there are more than 35 acres of water features).
Valley also features player-friendly fairways that beginners will enjoy. That doesn't mean it is a push-over. Far from it, the golf course offers a fair amount of challenges.
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The sixth green on the Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort is protected by the sand bunker from the left. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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Flamingos mingle at Desert Springs Resort's main entrance. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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Waterfalls are spread all over Desert Springs Resort's Valley golf course. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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There are beautiful private residences at Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, California. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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If the Valley Course doesn't blow you away, the Desert Springs Resort's main lobby will. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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The approach shot on no. 18th of the Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort is over the pond with a waterfall. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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The 17th green on Desert Springs Resort's Valley golf course is elevated, and the fairway is very "wavy. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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Hit it short and you are setting in sand on No. 11 at Desert Springs Resort's Valley golf course. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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You'll want to keep it straight all the way to the green on the par-5 ninth on Desert Springs Resort's Valley golf course. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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You'll need to hit your tee shot over the water hazard on no. 8 at Desert Springs Resort's Valley Course. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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The seventh at Desert Springs Resort's Valley Course doglegs right to the green, protected by the water from the front and by the sand bunker from the back. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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The par-4 fifth hole on Desert Springs Resort's Valley Course slightly doglegs left to the green, protected by four sand bunkers. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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A green protected by three bunkers and a nearby residence await on the fourth hole of Desert Springs Resort's Valley Course. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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The green on No. 2 at Desert Springs' Valley Course is protected by three sand bunkers. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
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A hilly fairway awaits on the first hole of the Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor
Born and raised in the former Soviet Union, photographer Oleg Volovik moved to the United States in 1992 and now lives with his wife and two children in Los Angeles. He joined the TravelGolf editorial team in 2010. Originally graduated with a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering he continued to dedicate his time and energy to his passion for visual arts and photography. Oleg has extensive experience in fine arts, fashion, event, architecture and journalistic photography. His work has been exhibited in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Moscow, where he also taught a master class, sponsored by Hewlett-Packard, in April 2007. He may be a novice golfer, but Oleg always wears a white leather glove during photo sessions. "Golf photography is my own 'game' with the beauty of nature and human creativity.
