Chaparral Country Club ☆ Follow

Located at 100 Chaparral Drive in Palm Desert, California, Chaparral Country Club features an 18-hole executive golf course designed by Ted Robinson Sr. The course, affectionately known as "The Little Monster," is set against the backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains and is characterized by tight fairways, elevated greens, and strategically placed water hazards. With a total par of 60, the layout is compact yet demanding, offering a walkable experience that blends visual drama with strategic playability. The design incorporates water features on numerous holes, a signature of Robinson’s work, which adds both challenge and aesthetic appeal. Key holes include the fifth, where an approach shot must navigate over a pond to a slightly elevated green, and the ninth, which presents a demanding carry over water to a large green complex to close the outward nine. The inward nine features similarly challenging tests, such as the tenth hole, which requires a long, accurate tee shot over water to an elevated narrow green, often playing into prevailing winds. The fourteenth hole stands out as a long par three requiring a precise shot to a severely tiered and elevated green. The course includes varied terrain with rolling greens and bunkers guarding many approaches. Hole five is noted for its large tree on the left and fairway bunkers, while hole thirteen requires a tee shot that avoids a lake on the left and residential homes on the right. The final hole, the eighteenth, serves as a strong finish with a lake left of the green and bunkers guarding both sides. The course also features a practice facility with a driving range, short club range, and two putting greens near the clubhouse.