The Classic Club in Palm Desert opened in 2007 as an Arnold Palmer Signature Design, situated in the Coachella Valley with views of the Santa Rosa Mountains to the south and west. Palmer routed the course across relatively flat desert terrain, incorporating strategic bunkering, water features on multiple holes, and generous landing areas balanced by well-protected greens. The layout measures over 7,300 yards from the championship tees and plays as a modern resort-style course with wide fairways that reward positioning for optimal approach angles.
The course gained immediate prominence as the host of the CareerBuilder Challenge (formerly the Bob Hope Classic and Humana Challenge) on the PGA TOUR, serving in the tournament rotation from 2007 through 2014. During this period, The Classic Club was typically the final-round venue in the multi-course pro-am format, providing a championship test for tour professionals while remaining accessible to amateur players throughout the rest of the year. The tournament exposure established the course's reputation beyond the local desert golf market.
The property features desert landscaping with native vegetation framing many holes, and the design emphasizes playability for a range of skill levels despite its length. Water comes into play on several holes, and the bunkering style reflects Palmer's preference for bold, visible hazards. The club operates as a semi-private facility, offering public access alongside member play, which is common among the newer generation of desert courses built during the early 2000s development period in the Coachella Valley.
Reviews
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Classic at Classic Club has a Course Vaults score of 7.7 out of 10 based on 18 explicit golfer ratings.
Classic was designed by Arnold Palmer.
Yes. Classic at Classic Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Classic is 72.
Classic plays 7,322 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Classic is 144.