Coachella Valley Night Golf!

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Indio Municipal Golf Course Lights Up the Sky
Par-3 course challenges golfers

Historic Indio Municipal Golf Course all the more special.

Reputed to be among the longest par-3 courses in the country, the Indio Muni is the only track in the desert to be lit at night.

Yes, standing tall across the nearly 50 acres of city-owned play are light towers which illuminate the 18 holes from dusk until the grounds close at 10 nightly.

And while the lights make the course an ideal option for a sun setting, temp-dropping evening activity, the welcome demands of the grounds prove more than a casual pitch-and-putt par-3.

Tracking at 3,004 yards from the blue tees and 2,662 from the reds, the course sports seven holes designated at more than 179 yards each (including three holes at 200 or better) and just three holes charting at fewer than 137 yards.

Yes, there’s some meat here, and the added test of water (and wind) makes this an excellent test of ball control and mid-iron play.

On the front side, the eyebrows raise on the back-to-back challenges of Nos. 3 and 4. The two straightaway plays combine for 442 yards and will punish the cocky that felt it wise to leave longer clubs in the trunk.

Rounding back to the clubhouse, the 158-yard No. 8 features reeds and lake water lurking left. Regardless of which heralded courses in the desert one may have played, know that this hole should be counted among the top par 3s in the entire valley.

On the backside, the 210-yard 13th with tight O.B. along the left side will ruffle those who may have found some groove to the round. The two lake-laden finishers (especially the tree-guarded, 184-yard No. 17) may request that you’ve left an extra ball in the bag.

A game play for buddy, date or family evenings, the Indio Muni isn’t merely unique for its night play option. This time-tested track will indeed light the wick for single-digit players as well.

Indio Municipal Golf Course, 83-040 Avenue 42, Indio, 760-391-4049