Channing Benjamin
Tradition Golf Club
Overview
Tradition Golf Club was intended to be Palmer Course Design’s answer to the most opulent private courses in greater Palm Springs, such as No. 85 The Quarry at La Quinta and No. 200 Vintage Club (Mountain). Built on the old Hacienda del Gato Ranch, the front nine is routed over rolling desert and through a flood-control basin, while most of the back nine is tucked at the base of the rocky slopes of the Santa Rosa Mountains, with three holes (15th through 17th) curving around a 90-degree bend dubbed the “Coyote Canyon.” Almost every hole here has a distinguishing feature, from desert wash to serpentine waste bunker to double fairway to boulder landscaping to cascading waterfalls. The common overall theme is fields of wildflowers spread throughout the far roughs. During a 2005 Golf Digest Panelist Summit, Arnold Palmer explained he had those flowers planted to appeal to his first wife, Winnie, who loved flora much more than golf.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked from 2019-'25.
Best in State: Ranked inside the top 15, 2003-'05. Ranked inside the top 20, 2007-'09. Ranked 21st, 2017-'24. Ranked 24th, 2025-'26.
Previous ranking: 21st.
2025-'26 ranking: 24th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Excellent golf experience. They made the most of the design back and forth surrounded with the MTS. Greens are tough but fair, great golf course and demands thinking and shot options."
Read More2025
Review
“A special treat in the desert, and one of the most beautiful courses I've ever played. Tradition pays tribute to The King (Arnold Palmer) throughout this visually stunning layout of a course. The framing of the course by the mountains and the routing through this property complete with Big Horn sheep makes for a very fun day. Layout & shot options provide for excellant risk / reward on the (4) Par-5's. The greens are receptive and roll true. Wonderful bunkering aesthetics will challenge every player level as the sand is rather deep in locations around the course. The back-9 is so visually stunning that it can be hard to concentrate on your next shot. Good recovery options around most of the greens and wonderful use of water features including the stream that flows down #17. The 18th par-5 hole features a bunkering complex in the middle of the fairway that looks intimidating from the back two sets of tees. A well struck shot to the right hand side will leave an approach shot of less than 220-yards. Enjoy the challenge and the reward will be an Eagle putt to end your day. Be sure to ask your host to show you The Kings former home. They members tell stories of Arnold sitting on his back patio watching the play of the #2 hole on the Par-3 Course. If he liked your shot, he would invite you over to say hello and share his boyish smile."
Read More2023
Review
“Beautiful and fun Arnold Palmer design in the California desert. Mountain views are spectacular. Course is playable for all levels of player. Some of the best greens you will ever putt. Staff is accommodating and attentive. Play here if offered the opportunity."
Read More2023
Review
“Tradition is very playable for all types of abilities -- a solid challenge from the back tee, but plenty of forward options and generous landing zones. A breaktaking setting, especially on the back nine as holes run along and into desert ridges. Beautiful (overseeded) conditions, and manicured landscape everywhere you look. Make time to play the Par 3 course and enjoy the practice facilities. This place is a coveted invite in the area."
Read More2022
Review
“Shot options: Most of the holes with good shot options were the par 5's (1/4/13/18), all have good risk/reward if trying to get there in 2. #7, if playing to the left green, is an interesting risk/reward. I also thought 14 was a good risk/reward with the semiblind tee shot. Most others didn't have much. ; Challenge: Not a lot of challenge for the most part, although going for 3 of the par 5's in 2 can put you in the water with a miss. The par 3's present the most challenge, but the par 4's are almost completely void of high challenge (#10 has the most). ; Layout variety: Even though this course is in the hills of La Quinta, most of the holes are quite flat. Much of the course plays to a "medium" distance, with no real long holes; the longest par 4 plays downhill. Of the 5 par 3's, 3 were the same club, and the other 2 were of the same club. ; Aesthetics: The water features on many holes were pleasing, and fun to play the big downhill 17th. On many other holes, playing through houses both sides is less fun. ; Conditioning: Ground was reasonably firm, although for the desert, its about average. Greens rolled reasonably true, and were slightly faster than ave.; Character: Can't find much that is profound about this course; Fun: This course is a fair amount of fun, my wife (the 17 handicapper) enjoyed it. While this doesn't factor in at all, this was the last round and the last day we saw Wheels, may he rest in peace."
Read More2022
Review
“Very fun and playable course, a course that can be enjoyed over and over again. Beautiful setting."
Read More2021
Review
“Creative routing, fun greens"
Read More2018
Review
“Great course with some outstanding holes. Playable for all skill levels. One of the best in the Palm Springs area"
Read More2018
