IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING DOGS AT DESERT SPRINGS RESORT
Dear Owners and Residents,
We are writing to clarify the Desert Springs Resort policy regarding dogs on the Golf Club premises and throughout the Resort.
Golf Club Premises
To protect and maintain the high standards of presentation and playing conditions of the Indiana Course and its facilities, please be reminded that, unless specifically authorised by the Golf Club, the following applies:
Dogs and other pets are strictly prohibited from:
- The Golf Course, including greens, tees, fairways, rough, desert areas and bunkers.
- The Golf Academy driving range, chipping and putting greens.
- The Golf Club Reception, Changing Rooms, and surrounding internal Clubhouse areas.
Clubhouse – ‘El Torrente’ Restaurant and External Areas
Dogs are permitted in the external terrace areas of El Torrente Restaurant, provided they are kept on a leash and under control at all times. Access to the internal areas of El Torrente Restaurant with pets is not permitted.
Other Resort Areas
Dogs are allowed to be walked on Resort roads, public pathways, and designated open spaces, subject to the following conditions:
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
- Owners must prevent their dogs from entering the Golf Course.
- Owners must immediately clean up after their dogs.
Thank you for keeping our area clean and pleasant for everyone.
Important: Golf Course Protection
A matter of growing concern that is having a significant impact on the condition and presentation of the Indiana golf course is damage caused by dogs.
Unfortunately, we are experiencing increasing issues with dogs urinating and defecating on the course, particularly on sensitive areas such as the greens and collars. Dog urine burns and damages the turf, and dog faeces not only cause unsightly mess but also presents hygiene concerns and degrades the playing experience.
From April to November last year, extensive damage was caused by this issue, requiring our golf course maintenance team to undertake repeated repairs using turf purchased from a nursery. This is a time-consuming and costly process, and each section of replaced turf must be carefully maintained to establish roots and survive. As we move into the warmer months, maintaining this work becomes even more challenging.
In addition, we are now seeing more frequent damage to the golf course bunkers due to dogs entering them, leaving tracks and displacing sand. These bunkers are raked at the start and end of each week by our dedicated course maintenance team. Just last Monday, four members of our team spent the whole morning preparing all bunkers to ensure they were in the best playing condition. Sadly, by that evening, fresh dog tracks were found in multiple bunkers, undoing the work that had just been completed.
To reinforce: Dogs are not permitted on the golf course at any time, even if leashed, except as may be specifically authorised by the Golf Club.
We acknowledge and are grateful to the many dog owners who act with care and respect, supporting the rules that help maintain the quality of our facilities. However, repeated incidents caused by those who disregard the Golf Club’s requests are resulting in both reputational and physical damage to the course. This not only affects the enjoyment of the course for everyone, undermining the quality of the facility but also places a considerable and unnecessary burden on our Maintenance Teams. We kindly ask all to work together with us to preserve the high standards we all value.
We are proud to present and maintain a golf course that is enjoyed by our members and players from around the world, and we ask for your cooperation in protecting this valuable community asset.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
