Apple Valley Golf Course carries more history than almost any public track in Southern California. A U.S. Open champion once lived across the street from the 18th hole. A president wrote a book in a house on the back nine.
You get all of that plus a fair, walkable layout on the edge of the Mojave Desert. This guide covers the course, the 2026 rates, the amenities, and what makes the place worth the trip.
By the end, you will know exactly what to expect before you tee off. Let us get to it.
What Is Apple Valley Golf Course?
Apple Valley Golf Course is a public, 18 hole course owned by the Town of Apple Valley in San Bernardino County, California. Anyone can book a tee time and play, no membership required.
The course sits roughly 100 miles from Los Angeles, on the southern edge of the Mojave Desert. It is known locally for having the best greens in the High Desert.
This year marks decades of continuous play on the same piece of desert ground, and the course still draws locals and travelers who want a taste of Southern California golf history alongside their round.
The layout plays to a par of 71, with a maximum length of 6,820 yards and an SCGA slope rating of 72/125. Wide, forgiving fairways make it a course you can enjoy without fear of disaster on every shot.
Course at a Glance:
| Detail | Information |
| Type | Public, town owned |
| Holes | 18 |
| Par | 71 |
| Max Yardage | 6,820 yards |
| Slope Rating | 72/125 (SCGA) |
| Year Opened | 1948 |
| Architect | William F. Bell |
| Owner | Town of Apple Valley, California |
| Location | Apple Valley, San Bernardino County |
History of the Course
Two oil field wildcatters named Newton “Newt” Bass and Bernard “Bud” Westlund built the course in the mid 1940s. Both men are widely credited with founding the town of Apple Valley itself.
The course opened for play in 1948 under the name Apple Valley Country Club. Decades later the Town of Apple Valley took over the facility and opened it to the public.
That history runs deeper than most municipal courses can claim. Tour legends like Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Dr. Cary Middlecoff walked these fairways well before the course became a public amenity.
The most famous local connection belongs to Lloyd Mangrum. The Hall of Fame golfer made his home across the street from the 18th hole. He won the 1946 U.S. Open and died in Apple Valley in 1973.
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans lived next to the sixth tee for decades. Richard Nixon also lived in a home on the back nine after his 1960 presidential loss, where he wrote his book “Six Crises.”
Who Designed Apple Valley Golf Course?
Golf architect William F. Bell, known in the industry as Billy Bell Jr., designed the course. He worked alongside his father, William P. Bell, on the original routing.
The Bell family put their name on more than 50 California courses during the mid 1900s, including Rancho Bernardo Inn and Mesa Verde Country Club.
Their design philosophy shows up clearly at Apple Valley. Wide, forgiving fairways sit next to small, quick “postage stamp” greens, so the challenge lives in your short game rather than your tee shot.
Course Layout and Features
The layout balances an easy driving experience with tight, well guarded greens. You play through open desert terrain framed by distant mountain views on almost every hole.
Scorecard and Yardage
The course plays to a par of 71 with a maximum yardage of 6,820 from the back tees. The SCGA slope rating sits at 72/125, verified as of February 2024.
Multiple tee boxes let you shorten or lengthen your round to match your game. Shorter tees suit beginners and higher handicaps, while the back tees give low handicap players a real test.
Reviewers consistently describe the course as long and harder than it first appears, especially once the greens come into play. The forgiving fairways make it a good fit for golfers who want to swing freely off the tee.
The Greens That Made Apple Valley Famous
Golfers and course staff alike point to the greens as the defining feature here. Superintendents describe them as small “postage stamp” greens, mowed and rolled on a tight schedule to keep them fast.
That combination rewards precise iron play and a sharp short game. Miss a green in the wrong spot and the recovery shot demands real touch, even though the fairway leading up to it gave you plenty of room.
Holes Tied to Apple Valley’s History
A few spots on the course carry more than golf significance. The sixth tee sits next to the former home of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, where Evans lived until her death in 2001.
The 18th hole runs past the house where Lloyd Mangrum spent his final years. He passed away there in 1973, not long after decades of PGA Tour success.
Walking these two holes gives you a small piece of golf and entertainment history most public courses simply do not have.
The Playing Experience
Playing here feels relaxed, historic, and a little bit like stepping into old Southern California. The desert backdrop and mountain views stay with you for all 18 holes.
Course conditions draw consistent praise. Golfers describe tight, well kept fairways and greens that rank among the smoothest in the region, particularly for a public facility.
Is the Course Hard to Play?
The course plays moderately hard, and it is friendlier than a 6,820 yard scorecard suggests. Wide fairways give you plenty of room to miss off the tee without major trouble.
The real test comes on approach. Those small, quick greens punish sloppy iron play, so accuracy matters more than raw distance once you reach the fairway.
Advice for Beginners
New golfers can enjoy a round here without feeling overwhelmed. Play from the forward tees, and aim to keep the ball in the fairway rather than chasing extra yardage.
The wide landing areas forgive a crooked drive better than most desert courses. Save your focus for the greens, where precision actually decides your score.
- Tee it forward to keep approach shots shorter and easier.
- Focus on hitting greens rather than attacking every flag.
- Two putt and move on. These greens are fast and small.
- Take a cart or a pull cart if the desert heat is on.
Notes for Experienced Players
Stronger players will not find much length trouble here, but the greens demand respect. Precise wedge play and a confident short game separate good rounds from great ones.
The postage stamp greens punish anyone who gets careless with distance control. Stay below the hole whenever possible, and take the conservative miss over the aggressive one.
Rates and Booking
Green fees at Apple Valley run on a time of day structure rather than a seasonal one. Prices shift by prime time, mid day, and twilight, with discounts for seniors, military, and juniors.
How Much Does It Cost to Play?
An 18 hole round with a cart runs from 34 dollars to 57 dollars depending on the day and the time you tee off. Weekday rates are lower across the board than weekend and holiday rates.
| Weekday | Green Fee | Cart | Total |
| Prime (Open to 11 AM) | $26 | $21 | $47 |
| Mid Day (11 AM to 3 PM) | $17 | $21 | $38 |
| Twilight (3 PM to close) | $14 | $21 | $35 |
| Senior (55+) | $16 | $21 | $37 |
| Military (with ID) | $16 | $21 | $37 |
| Junior (17 and under) | $13 | $21 | $34 |
| 9 Holes | $12 | $15 | $27 |
| Weekend/Holiday | Green Fee | Cart | Total |
| Prime (Open to 11 AM) | $38 | $21 | $57 |
| Mid Day (11 AM to 3 PM) | $27 | $21 | $48 |
| Twilight (3 PM to close) | $21 | $21 | $42 |
| Senior (55+) | $22 | $21 | $43 |
| Military (with ID) | $22 | $21 | $43 |
| Junior (17 and under) | $17 | $21 | $38 |
| 9 Holes | $17 | $15 | $32 |
Pull cart rentals cost 5 dollars for either 9 or 18 holes, a solid option if you would rather walk. An additional fee applies for any non playing rider, so check with the golf shop for the current amount.
How to Book a Tee Time
Booking runs entirely online through the course website. You can cancel or change a reservation right from your confirmation email, provided you do it more than 24 hours before your tee time.
Once your tee time falls inside that 24 hour window, cancellations no longer qualify for a refund unless weather shuts the course down. Book early for weekend prime time, since those slots move fast.
Amenities and Facilities
The course covers the essentials well for a public facility. You get a driving range, a putting green, a chipping area, and a well stocked pro shop.
- Driving range, putting green, and chipping area for warming up before your round.
- Pro shop carrying Callaway, Titleist, Adidas, and TaylorMade gear, plus rental clubs on a first come basis.
- Two tennis courts available for public use alongside the golf course.
- Golf carts equipped with GPS, plus pull cart rentals for walkers.
- Banquet and meeting rooms for groups and private functions.
Did You Know? The course property once included a full country club setting, and locals still sometimes call it by its original name, Apple Valley Country Club.
The Course Bistro and Bar sits inside the clubhouse and serves as the dining hub for golfers. Expect breakfast, lunch, and wood fired pizza on weekends, along with a full bar for relaxing after your round.
Group and private lessons are available through the course’s instruction program. Golfers of any age or skill level can register to start improving their game.
Events and Tournaments
Apple Valley Golf Course hosts corporate, company, and charity tournaments throughout the year. The course comfortably handles groups from 16 players up to 120.
Hosting an Outing or Event
Planning a tournament here is straightforward. Call the golf shop directly, and staff will help you build an event around your group size, your budget, and your date.
The setting helps too. The course sits in a quiet, private section of Apple Valley known as Desert Knolls, which makes for a scenic, low distraction backdrop for a tournament day.
Beyond golf outings, the clubhouse also hosts weddings, banquets, and meeting functions. Check the event calendar on the course website for openings and current availability.
Memberships and Regular Play
Apple Valley Golf Course does not require a membership to play. As a public, town owned facility, anyone can book a tee time and walk on without joining anything first.
For golfers who play often, the pro shop offers loyalty options and punch passes from time to time. Ask directly at the golf shop for whatever program is currently available.
Tips for Playing Apple Valley Golf Course
A little preparation goes a long way on this course. Use these tips to protect your score and enjoy the round.
- Respect the greens. Small and fast beats long and slow here.
- Play from the tees that match your actual driving distance.
- Bring water and sun protection. The desert heat adds up fast.
- Ask the pro shop about rental clubs if you are traveling light.
- Book early for weekend prime time slots, since they sell out.
- Take a few minutes to appreciate the history on 6 and 18.
How to Get There
Apple Valley Golf Course sits at 15200 Rancherias Road in Apple Valley, California. The town sits in San Bernardino County, in the High Desert region north of the San Bernardino Mountains.
That location puts you about 100 miles from Los Angeles and a short drive from Victorville. It works well as a golf stop on a High Desert trip or a quick escape from the city.
Contact Details
Need to reach Apple Valley Golf Course for tee times, lessons, or event planning? Here is the key information in one place.
| Detail | Information |
| Address | 15200 Rancherias Rd, Apple Valley, CA 92307 |
| Phone | (760) 242-3125 |
| golf@applevalley.org | |
| Website | applevalleygolf.com |
| Course Hours | 7 AM to 5 PM daily (2026 winter hours) |
| The Course Bistro & Bar | (442) 292-2127 |
You can book tee times online at any hour. For tournaments, lessons, or general questions, the golf shop team answers calls directly during regular course hours.
Final Thoughts
Apple Valley Golf Course offers something few public courses can match. You get a fair, playable layout and a direct connection to golf and entertainment history in the same round.
The forgiving fairways make it approachable for newer golfers, while the quick, small greens keep experienced players honest. Add in the desert scenery and the story behind nearly every hole, and the day adds up to something memorable.
For 2026, it remains one of the most historically rich public rounds in Southern California.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Valley Golf Course is a public, 18 hole course owned by the Town of Apple Valley, California.
- The course opened in 1948 and was designed by architect William F. Bell.
- It plays to a par of 71 with a maximum yardage of 6,820 and a slope rating of 72/125.
- Lloyd Mangrum, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and Richard Nixon all lived on or near the course.
- Wide fairways make it forgiving off the tee, while small, fast greens demand a sharp short game.
- Green fees with a cart range from 27 dollars to 57 dollars depending on the day and time.
- The course hosts corporate, charity, and private tournaments for groups of 16 to 120.
- Amenities include a driving range, pro shop, two tennis courts, and The Course Bistro and Bar.
- No membership is required. Anyone can book online and play.
- The course sits about 100 miles from Los Angeles in the High Desert region of California.
FAQs
Can you rent golf clubs at Apple Valley Golf Course?
Yes, the course offers rental club sets for golfers who need them. Sets are available on a first come, first served basis, so there is no guarantee of availability during busy periods. Calling the golf shop ahead of your visit is the safest way to confirm rentals before you arrive.
Is there a dress code at Apple Valley Golf Course?
Yes, the course asks golfers to wear appropriate golf attire on the course, the driving range, and the putting green. This is standard for most public facilities and is not strictly enforced beyond common courtesy.
Can you host a wedding or private event at Apple Valley Golf Course?
Yes, the clubhouse hosts weddings, banquets, and meeting functions in addition to golf tournaments. The facility includes dedicated banquet and meeting rooms suited to private functions. Contact the golf shop directly to check availability and discuss options for your event date.
What type of grass is on the fairways and greens?
Apple Valley Golf Course uses Bermuda grass across both its fairways and greens. Bermuda grass handles the High Desert heat well and stays durable through a long playing season. It also contributes to the fast, firm putting surfaces the course is known for locally.
