Ladera Golf Course (Championship)

Overview: Ladera Golf Club is a minimalist walking-only facility built on a former mango and lemon grove in the Coachella Valley near Thermal, California. Architect Gil Hanse designed the layout to highlight the natural desert floor rather than relying on artificial water features or tropical turf. The course features wide, rolling fairways lined with sandy washes and complex greens that challenge approach shots with dramatic slope changes.

History: Opened in 2023, the course was commissioned by entertainment executive Irving Azoff and Apple executive Eddy Cue. Hanse and partner Jim Wagner spent months shaping the terrain to mimic the surrounding desert canyons, transforming flat agricultural fields into a rugged topography that feels entirely native to Southern California.

Did You Know? Unlike typical desert layouts in Palm Springs, the facility does not have paved paths running through the fairways. Instead, it is designed strictly for walking with caddies, a detail that reinforces its minimalist philosophy and highlights the quiet solitude of the desert landscape. This design decision ensures that the pristine sandy ground remains undisturbed by tire tracks and utility vehicles.