Indio Named One of America’s Top Golf Getaways — #4 in the U.S.

A new analysis from The Action Network reviewed more than 400 U.S. cities for golf access, lodging cost, and climate to identify the ultimate golf getaways.

The results place Indio at #4 nationally, confirming its reputation as a golf hub within California’s Coachella Valley. The city stands out with 12 public courses per 100,000 residents and an impressive 54 private clubs within 20 miles — among the highest totals nationwide. Its warm desert climate brings just 3.44 inches of rain annually, the second-lowest in the U.S. after Yuma, Arizona, ensuring reliable year-round play.

Other Key Highlights from the Study

  • Scottsdale, AZ (#1): The country’s top-ranked destination, offering 25 public courses per 100,000 residents, 14 private clubs, and a leading overall score of 92.5/100.
  • Fort Myers, FL (#2)
  • Yuma, AZ (#3): Fort Myers combines affordability (five-day lodging at $984) with strong public access, while Yuma delivers consistent desert sunshine, highs of 89°, and just over 3 inches of rain annually.
  • California dominance: With 84 golf getaway destinations in total, California leads the nation for golf travel opportunities. Alongside Indio (#4, 70.8/100), Pleasanton (54.8/100) and San Jose (54.3/100) also ranked among the state’s standout cities.
  • Not all California cities shine: Despite the state’s overall strength, Santa Barbara (#3 worst, 27.35/100), Napa (#5 worst, 29.18/100), and Oxnard (#9 worst, 33.13/100) ranked among the bottom 10 nationally, held back by fewer courses, high lodging costs, and less favorable climates.

Methodology
The study analyzed 411 U.S. cities with at least one public golf course, scoring each on:

  • Public golf courses per 100,000 residents (50 percent)
  • Lodging costs for a five-day stay (30 percent)
  • Climate, including average annual temperature and precipitation (20 percent)
  • Scores were standardized to a 0–100 scale to reveal the most and least golf-friendly destinations in the United States.

You can explore the full dataset and methodology here: The Action Network Golf Getaway Study.

Image Sources

  • Indio golf course: Shutterstock