How to Play Desert Golf: Shots, Rules and Tips

How to play desert golf? Hit the fairway, club for firm ground and roll, and treat the desert as trouble you avoid, not a place to play heroic shots from. When you do land in it, take a clean, ball-first strike from bare dirt and let the ball run out. Bring extra balls, stay away from cactus and wildlife, and know your course's local rule for the desert.

Below are the shots that play differently on desert courses, how desert areas are treated under the rules, and what to wear in the heat. Want a desert look on the course? Browse our cactus golf shirts.

How to play desert golf: what makes it different

Desert courses in places like Scottsdale, Palm Springs and Las Vegas are built as green ribbons of turf through native sand, rock and brush. That changes three things:

• Firm, dry turf. Balls bounce and roll farther, and thin lies are common around greens.
• Penal misses. A ball just off the fairway can sit clean on dirt or end up under a bush with no shot.
• Heat and altitude. Warm, thin air helps the ball carry, so many players club down.

The desert shots worth practicing

Golf Digest asked short-game coach Stan Utley, who teaches in Scottsdale, about the shots native to drier, firmer conditions (Golf Digest desert golf cheat sheet). The key ideas:

1. The bare dirt lie: hit the ball first

Utley says you can get a clean bare lie "or you could be three feet away in a bush and have no shot." From dirt, "the bottom of your swing has to happen after the ball, not before it." Make your normal swing and do not try to scoop or sweep it, or you will blade it.

2. The dry uphill pitch: read the grain

Desert greens surrounds often use grainy grass. If the grass shines toward you, you are hitting into the grain. Use enough bounce and hit the ball first, or the club will snag and the ball will stay at your feet.

3. The sidehill pitch: restore your lie angle

On tilted lies, choke down to stand closer and steepen the shaft. With the ball above your feet it tends to go left, so adjust the face and keep it pointing up through the finish.

4. Know your carry and roll

Firm ground means the ball keeps rolling. Utley notes many amateurs only know one stock yardage per wedge. Learn how far each wedge carries and how far it runs out from tight lies.

5. The low recovery pitch

To keep the ball under branches, play a lofted wedge back in your stance with the hands forward and a short, low finish. You keep the spin of a wedge without the height.

Desert rules: penalty area or play it as it lies?

There is no single desert rule. Under the Rules of Golf, a committee can mark desert areas as penalty areas (usually red stakes or lines), which lets you take relief with a one-stroke penalty. Many desert courses do this. Others leave the desert as part of the general area, so you play the ball as it lies or declare it unplayable. Always read the scorecard or local rules sheet before your round, and ask in the pro shop if you are unsure.

Desert golf etiquette and safety

• Do not chase a ball deep into cactus or rocks. A new ball is cheaper than a cholla spine or a snake encounter.
• Stay on cart paths where required. Desert courses often restrict carts to paths to protect turf.
• Drink water every hole and plan rounds early in the day in summer.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen; afternoon heat and glare build quickly.

What to wear for desert golf

Choose light colors, a breathable polo, a hat and sunglasses. Many players add long sleeves for sun cover on hot days. Our cactus golf shirts come in men's and women's polos, long sleeve and sleeveless styles, with a custom name option; check each product page for the exact styles and sizes. For course clothing rules, see our golf dress code guide.

FAQ

How do you play golf in the desert?

Aim for the fairway, plan for extra roll on firm ground, and treat the desert as trouble. From bare dirt, play the ball back slightly and hit the ball first.

Is the desert a penalty area in golf?

Only if the course marks it that way. Many desert courses mark it as a penalty area with one-stroke relief; others make you play it as it lies. Check the local rules.

How do you hit a golf ball off dirt?

Make a normal swing and make sure the low point comes after the ball. Do not try to scoop or sweep it.

What should I wear to golf in the desert?

Light, breathable clothing, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Long sleeves help with sun cover.