RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- The Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort has been around for more than three decades, but regulars will tell you it's almost never been in better shape. With KSL taking over the namesake next-door resort, the 27 holes of Ted Robinson golf are getting more money for maintenance and a completely new attitude.
This is an old-school Palm Springs golf course, full of palm trees (1,500 of them) and water, but it also has a few tricks up its sleeve. Like the 129-yard hole with a two-tiered mini waterfall (No. 6 on the West nine). The West starts you out with the four toughest holes in the whole complex and then takes you on a ride that weaves through parts of the resort. Rancho Las Palmas is the middle of a golf community, full of houses along fairways, but it's still anything but cookie cutter.
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
Rancho Las Palmas Golf spreads 1,500 palm trees among 27 holes.
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Fountain at Rancho Las Palmas
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort brings shooting fountains and water aplenty.
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Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
You have to clear water to reach greens at Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage, California.
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Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
Houses are close enough that you could putt from someone's garage at Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage, California.
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Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
Go off-line and you'll find yourself with awkward approaches at Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage, California.
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The West nine at Rancho Las Palmas
The West nine at Rancho Las Palmas gives you greens uphill, tucked in by trees.
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Mountain background at Rancho Las Palmas
Mountains loom in the background at Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort in Rancho Mirage, California.
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Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort in Rancho Mirage, California.
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Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort in Rancho Mirage, California.
Chris Baldwin/WorldGolf.com
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort in Rancho Mirage, California.
Chris Baldwin/WorldGolf.com
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Chris Baldwin/WorldGolf.com
Palm trees at Rancho Las Palmas
The palm trees are old and tall at Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort in Rancho Mirage, California.
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Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
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Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Chris Baldwin/WorldGolf.com
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort in Rancho Mirage, California.
Chris Baldwin/WorldGolf.com
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort in Rancho Mirage, California.
Chris Baldwin/WorldGolf.com
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort in Rancho Mirage, California.
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Rancho Las Palmas - Teebox
Regulars say Rancho Las Palmas' tee boxes are in their best shape in decades.
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Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort
Rancho Las Palmas Golf Resort in Rancho Mirage, California.
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