December in Palm Springs, CA: peak season for golf — great conditions and a wide playing window. Best tee times: mid-morning through early afternoon.
| Average December Weather | |
|---|---|
| Avg daily high | 68°F |
| Avg daily low | 50°F |
| Rainy days | 3 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 6.9 mph |
Most golfers arriving in Palm Springs in December expect warm desert sunshine and are slightly caught off guard by morning temperatures that can sit right at 50°F. That 18-degree daily swing is the real story: tee off at 7 AM and you're reaching for a fleece; by noon the same round feels like a comfortable 68°F afternoon. The courses are full because the season-tier badge says "Peak," but the conditions are more nuanced than the marketing suggests.
The other surprise is the wind — or the lack of it. December is actually the calmest month of the year here at just 6.9 mph peak wind, which means flagsticks barely move and approach shots hold their line. Pair that with only 3 rain days for the month and the actual playing conditions are quite good once the morning chill burns off. Golf in Palm Springs in December rewards golfers who start late-morning rather than chasing the earliest tee time.
Because December mornings hover near 50°F, booking a 10 AM or later tee time lets the desert floor warm up and keeps you out of the coldest air without sacrificing the calm wind conditions that define this month. Demand is high — this is peak season — so lock in that mid-morning slot at least two to three weeks out, especially on weekends around the holiday stretch. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
November runs 7°F warmer on average highs (75°F vs. 68°F) and sees only 1 precipitation day versus December's 3, so the month before feels noticeably more like classic desert golf. January drops another 2°F on the high to 66°F and adds a fourth rain day, meaning December sits right in the middle — cooler than the fall shoulder but marginally drier and calmer than what follows. If you're choosing between the three, November wins on temperature, but December's 6.9 mph winds are the lowest of the trio.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Palm Springs, CA for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
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Cold is relative here: average highs reach 68°F, which is comfortably within the ideal 60–80°F playing range, but the average low of 50°F means early-morning rounds feel brisk by desert standards. Most golfers find conditions comfortable from mid-morning onward, and the winds are actually the calmest of any month at 6.9 mph, which helps.
December averages 3 precipitation days, making it the third-wettest month of the year in Palm Springs — though that figure is low in absolute terms and most days remain dry. Courses rarely close due to rain, but it's worth checking a short-range forecast before booking a non-refundable early-week round.