INTRODUCTION
The Lakes Country Club is one of the most visually stunning and community-spirited private golf clubs in the Coachella Valley, and one of the few communities in Palm Desert that truly earns the description of an oasis in the desert. A BoardRoom Magazine Distinguished Club, The Lakes sits on 380 park-like acres in the heart of Palm Desert, built around a concept unlike anything else in the valley: an all-condominium community with 23 self-contained shimmering lakes, waterfalls, and fountains as the dominant visual theme, woven through every hole of a spectacular 27-hole Ted Robinson-designed championship golf course.
The vision belonged to developer Bill Bone, whose reputation for imaginative design was already well-known when in 1982 he turned his attention to creating something truly unique. Rather than a conventional grid of homes around a single course, Bone designed an entirely park-like community where golf, lakes, waterfalls, mature shade trees, and beautifully landscaped street scenes would be seamlessly integrated into a living environment that felt more like a world-class resort than a residential development.
The result is a course widely regarded as arguably the best maintained in the desert, with water in play on 25 of 27 holes, Scottish-style bunkers, grand towering palms, and mature shade trees framing every fairway. Every one of the 902 condominiums has a unique golf course or lake view. Every home is just steps from one of 44 swimming pools and spasdistributed across the park-like grounds. And a vibrant, diverse, year-round social calendar makes "The Lakes Lifestyle"the defining characteristic of the community.
A $700 per season food and beverage minimum ensures the dining program remains active and exceptional throughout the November through May season. The HOA includes social and fitness membership, cable TV, trash pickup, exterior building maintenance, earthquake insurance, and 24-hour in-home alarm monitoring security.
Billy and Stacy Thoman of Billy Thoman Real Estate are your Coachella Valley specialists for The Lakes Country Club real estate. Call today or visit MyHomeInTheDesert.com.
THE COURSE
Ted Robinson 27-Hole Championship Golf Course
27 holes | Three 9-hole courses: East, South, and North
Designed by Ted Robinson | Opened 1982-1983
The championship golf course at The Lakes Country Club is one of the most distinctive and celebrated layouts in Palm Desert. Designed by Ted Robinson and completed in 1982 to 1983, the course is widely regarded as arguably the best maintained course in the desert, incorporating mature shade trees, grand towering palms, and Scottish-style bunkers into a landscape dominated by water.
Water is in play on 25 of 27 holes, a defining characteristic that gives The Lakes its name and its visual drama. Three separate nine-hole courses, The East, The South, and The North, can be combined in any configuration to create an 18-hole round, giving members maximum variety and flexibility in their daily play.
East Course: Back tees play 6,339 yards with a rating of 70.70 and slope of 126
South Course: Back tees play 6,583 yards with a rating of 71.70
North Course: Back tees play 6,638 yards with a rating of 72.00 and slope of 126
A full driving range, pro shop, locker rooms, practice bunkers, chipping greens, two putting greens, and a remarkable 18-hole putting course provide one of the most complete practice facilities of any 27-hole course in the desert. Active Lakes Men's and Ladies' Golf Association organizes tournament events throughout the season.
Golf Membership initiation: Approximately $5,000
Golf Membership annual dues: Approximately $10,000 ($665/month implied by sources but verify directly with club)
Membership cap: 675 members. Equity-owned club
Non-Resident Annual Golf and Social Membership: Approximately $10,400/year (currently at capacity per recent sources)
THE RESIDENCES
The Lakes Country Club offers 902 condominium homes built between 1982 and 1987 on 380 park-like acres in the heart of Palm Desert. Every single home has a unique golf course or lake view and convenient access to one or more of the 44 community swimming pools and spas. All properties are on fee simple land and are jointly owned and managed by the homeowners through The Lakes Country Club Association, Inc., governed by a nine-member board of directors.
Homes range from approximately 1,368 to 4,276 sq ft with 1 to 5 bedrooms across multiple floor plans. Each condominium features a two-car garage and private outdoor areas. Many units have been completely remodeled with contemporary finishes and some feature private pools and spas. The park-like grounds surrounding each home include flourishing green lawns, mature shade and ornamental trees, desert flowers, and attractively landscaped street scenes.
The HOA is among the most comprehensive of any condominium golf community in the Coachella Valley, covering social and fitness membership, cable TV, trash, exterior building maintenance, earthquake insurance, common area insurance, landscaping, and 24-hour in-home alarm monitoring security.
A reserve replenishment fee of nine times the current HOA dues is required from new homeowners. A $700 per season food and beverage minimum applies for the November through May season.
2025-2026 market snapshot: Home values range from approximately $475,000 to $1,100,000+. HOA approximately $1,445 to $1,887/month depending on source and period (verify current amount directly with the club). The community offers consistent year-round buyer demand driven by its unique park-like setting and comprehensive amenity package.
REAL ESTATE AT A GLANCE
AMENITIES
Golf
Clubhouse and Dining
Lifestyle and Wellness Center
Racquet Center
Recreation
HISTORY
The Lakes Country Club was conceived by developer Bill Bone in 1982. Bone's reputation for imaginative design was already well-established in the Coachella Valley when he turned his attention to creating something truly unlike anything else in the desert. His vision was an all-condominium community built around a unique landscape theme: 23 self-contained lakes, cascading waterfalls, and fountains woven seamlessly through golf course fairways, park-like common areas, and attractively landscaped street scenes.
Ted Robinson designed the 27-hole championship course to reflect this vision fully, incorporating water into play on 25 of 27 holes across three distinct nine-hole layouts. The result was a course that is as visually extraordinary as it is strategically demanding, with mature shade trees, towering palms, and Scottish-style bunkers complementing the dominant water theme.
The 50,000 sq ft two-story clubhouse opened in 1983 with a Grill Room, fully equipped pro shop, and main dining room overlooking the Santa Rosa Mountains. A 5,000 sq ft Fitness Center and Spa was added in 1997 and expanded in 2001to accommodate the growing wellness needs of the membership.
From the beginning, The Lakes was designed to be entirely owned and operated by its homeowners. The Lakes Country Club Association, Inc., governed by a nine-member board of directors, manages all property and facilities on behalf of the membership, making it one of the most purely member-controlled communities in Palm Desert.
The club earned recognition as a BoardRoom Magazine Distinguished Club, a designation awarded to clubs that demonstrate excellence in dining, social programming, golf, tennis, and recreational experiences.
LOCATION
The Lakes Country Club is located at 161 Old Ranch Road in Palm Desert, California, off Country Club Drive between Cook Street and Eldorado Drive, in the heart of the Coachella Valley.
El Paseo, the Rodeo Drive of the desert, is minutes away with world-class dining, shopping, and galleries. Eisenhower Medical Center is nearby. The BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden is a short drive away. The McCallum Theatre is within minutes. Highway 111 and Interstate 10 connect residents to Indian Wells, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Springs. Palm Springs International Airport is approximately 20 minutes away.
WHY WORK WITH BILLY AND STACY THOMAN
The Lakes Country Club is one of the most visually unique and community-spirited private golf clubs in Palm Desert, attracting buyers who want a truly park-like resort setting, a comprehensive HOA that covers virtually every expense, and a level of natural beauty that no other condominium golf community in the valley can match.
Billy and Stacy Thoman of Billy Thoman Real Estate specialize in Coachella Valley luxury real estate with deep knowledge of The Lakes Country Club, Monterey Country Club, Indian Ridge Country Club, Ironwood Country Club, Bighorn Golf Club, and the full range of desert country club communities.
Whether you are searching for a ground-level condo with shimmering lake views, a spacious renovated retreat steps from the pool, or a furnished seasonal escape in one of Palm Desert's most distinctive communities, Billy and Stacy bring the expertise and local relationships to find exactly the right fit.
Call Billy and Stacy Thoman at Billy Thoman Real Estate today or visit MyHomeInTheDesert.com to explore current Lakes Country Club listings.
INTRODUCTION
The Lakes Country Club is one of the most visually stunning and community-spirited private golf clubs in the Coachella Valley, and one of the few communities in Palm Desert that truly earns the description of an oasis in the desert. A BoardRoom Magazine Distinguished Club, The Lakes sits on 380 park-like acres in the heart of Palm Desert, built around a concept unlike anything else in the valley: an all-condominium community with 23 self-contained shimmering lakes, waterfalls, and fountains as the dominant visual theme, woven through every hole of a spectacular 27-hole Ted Robinson-designed championship golf course.
The vision belonged to developer Bill Bone, whose reputation for imaginative design was already well-known when in 1982 he turned his attention to creating something truly unique. Rather than a conventional grid of homes around a single course, Bone designed an entirely park-like community where golf, lakes, waterfalls, mature shade trees, and beautifully landscaped street scenes would be seamlessly integrated into a living environment that felt more like a world-class resort than a residential development.
The result is a course widely regarded as arguably the best maintained in the desert, with water in play on 25 of 27 holes, Scottish-style bunkers, grand towering palms, and mature shade trees framing every fairway. Every one of the 902 condominiums has a unique golf course or lake view. Every home is just steps from one of 44 swimming pools and spasdistributed across the park-like grounds. And a vibrant, diverse, year-round social calendar makes "The Lakes Lifestyle"the defining characteristic of the community.
A $700 per season food and beverage minimum ensures the dining program remains active and exceptional throughout the November through May season. The HOA includes social and fitness membership, cable TV, trash pickup, exterior building maintenance, earthquake insurance, and 24-hour in-home alarm monitoring security.
Billy and Stacy Thoman of Billy Thoman Real Estate are your Coachella Valley specialists for The Lakes Country Club real estate. Call today or visit MyHomeInTheDesert.com.
THE COURSE
Ted Robinson 27-Hole Championship Golf Course
27 holes | Three 9-hole courses: East, South, and North
Designed by Ted Robinson | Opened 1982-1983
The championship golf course at The Lakes Country Club is one of the most distinctive and celebrated layouts in Palm Desert. Designed by Ted Robinson and completed in 1982 to 1983, the course is widely regarded as arguably the best maintained course in the desert, incorporating mature shade trees, grand towering palms, and Scottish-style bunkers into a landscape dominated by water.
Water is in play on 25 of 27 holes, a defining characteristic that gives The Lakes its name and its visual drama. Three separate nine-hole courses, The East, The South, and The North, can be combined in any configuration to create an 18-hole round, giving members maximum variety and flexibility in their daily play.
East Course: Back tees play 6,339 yards with a rating of 70.70 and slope of 126
South Course: Back tees play 6,583 yards with a rating of 71.70
North Course: Back tees play 6,638 yards with a rating of 72.00 and slope of 126
A full driving range, pro shop, locker rooms, practice bunkers, chipping greens, two putting greens, and a remarkable 18-hole putting course provide one of the most complete practice facilities of any 27-hole course in the desert. Active Lakes Men's and Ladies' Golf Association organizes tournament events throughout the season.
Golf Membership initiation: Approximately $5,000
Golf Membership annual dues: Approximately $10,000 ($665/month implied by sources but verify directly with club)
Membership cap: 675 members. Equity-owned club
Non-Resident Annual Golf and Social Membership: Approximately $10,400/year (currently at capacity per recent sources)
THE RESIDENCES
The Lakes Country Club offers 902 condominium homes built between 1982 and 1987 on 380 park-like acres in the heart of Palm Desert. Every single home has a unique golf course or lake view and convenient access to one or more of the 44 community swimming pools and spas. All properties are on fee simple land and are jointly owned and managed by the homeowners through The Lakes Country Club Association, Inc., governed by a nine-member board of directors.
Homes range from approximately 1,368 to 4,276 sq ft with 1 to 5 bedrooms across multiple floor plans. Each condominium features a two-car garage and private outdoor areas. Many units have been completely remodeled with contemporary finishes and some feature private pools and spas. The park-like grounds surrounding each home include flourishing green lawns, mature shade and ornamental trees, desert flowers, and attractively landscaped street scenes.
The HOA is among the most comprehensive of any condominium golf community in the Coachella Valley, covering social and fitness membership, cable TV, trash, exterior building maintenance, earthquake insurance, common area insurance, landscaping, and 24-hour in-home alarm monitoring security.
A reserve replenishment fee of nine times the current HOA dues is required from new homeowners. A $700 per season food and beverage minimum applies for the November through May season.
2025-2026 market snapshot: Home values range from approximately $475,000 to $1,100,000+. HOA approximately $1,445 to $1,887/month depending on source and period (verify current amount directly with the club). The community offers consistent year-round buyer demand driven by its unique park-like setting and comprehensive amenity package.
REAL ESTATE AT A GLANCE
AMENITIES
Golf
Clubhouse and Dining
Lifestyle and Wellness Center
Racquet Center
Recreation
HISTORY
The Lakes Country Club was conceived by developer Bill Bone in 1982. Bone's reputation for imaginative design was already well-established in the Coachella Valley when he turned his attention to creating something truly unlike anything else in the desert. His vision was an all-condominium community built around a unique landscape theme: 23 self-contained lakes, cascading waterfalls, and fountains woven seamlessly through golf course fairways, park-like common areas, and attractively landscaped street scenes.
Ted Robinson designed the 27-hole championship course to reflect this vision fully, incorporating water into play on 25 of 27 holes across three distinct nine-hole layouts. The result was a course that is as visually extraordinary as it is strategically demanding, with mature shade trees, towering palms, and Scottish-style bunkers complementing the dominant water theme.
The 50,000 sq ft two-story clubhouse opened in 1983 with a Grill Room, fully equipped pro shop, and main dining room overlooking the Santa Rosa Mountains. A 5,000 sq ft Fitness Center and Spa was added in 1997 and expanded in 2001to accommodate the growing wellness needs of the membership.
From the beginning, The Lakes was designed to be entirely owned and operated by its homeowners. The Lakes Country Club Association, Inc., governed by a nine-member board of directors, manages all property and facilities on behalf of the membership, making it one of the most purely member-controlled communities in Palm Desert.
The club earned recognition as a BoardRoom Magazine Distinguished Club, a designation awarded to clubs that demonstrate excellence in dining, social programming, golf, tennis, and recreational experiences.
LOCATION
The Lakes Country Club is located at 161 Old Ranch Road in Palm Desert, California, off Country Club Drive between Cook Street and Eldorado Drive, in the heart of the Coachella Valley.
El Paseo, the Rodeo Drive of the desert, is minutes away with world-class dining, shopping, and galleries. Eisenhower Medical Center is nearby. The BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden is a short drive away. The McCallum Theatre is within minutes. Highway 111 and Interstate 10 connect residents to Indian Wells, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Springs. Palm Springs International Airport is approximately 20 minutes away.
WHY WORK WITH BILLY AND STACY THOMAN
The Lakes Country Club is one of the most visually unique and community-spirited private golf clubs in Palm Desert, attracting buyers who want a truly park-like resort setting, a comprehensive HOA that covers virtually every expense, and a level of natural beauty that no other condominium golf community in the valley can match.
Billy and Stacy Thoman of Billy Thoman Real Estate specialize in Coachella Valley luxury real estate with deep knowledge of The Lakes Country Club, Monterey Country Club, Indian Ridge Country Club, Ironwood Country Club, Bighorn Golf Club, and the full range of desert country club communities.
Whether you are searching for a ground-level condo with shimmering lake views, a spacious renovated retreat steps from the pool, or a furnished seasonal escape in one of Palm Desert's most distinctive communities, Billy and Stacy bring the expertise and local relationships to find exactly the right fit.
Call Billy and Stacy Thoman at Billy Thoman Real Estate today or visit MyHomeInTheDesert.com to explore current Lakes Country Club listings.
We will be able to provide you with the most advantageous and up to date knowledge of the desert. Buyers and Sellers alike will tell you that they received the highest level of customer service and care.
