Water, water everywhere: Desert Springs Resort's Valley Course in Palm Desert, California

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.

Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort - no. 1

A hilly fairway awaits on the first hole of the Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort.

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Valley Course at Desert Springs Resort - no. 2

The green on No. 2 at Desert Springs' Valley Course is protected by three sand bunkers.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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Desert Springs Resort - main lobby

If the Valley Course doesn't blow you away, the Desert Springs Resort's main lobby will.

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Desert Springs Resort - residences

There are beautiful private residences at Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, California.

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Desert Springs Resort - Valley golf course

Waterfalls are spread all over Desert Springs Resort's Valley golf course.

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Desert Springs Resort - flamingos

Flamingos mingle at Desert Springs Resort's main entrance.

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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.

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