FAMILY GOLF VACATIONS can be a risky proposition when not everyone plays golf — especially when teenagers are involved. Someone is thrilled, someone is mildly entertained and someone is dramatically asking why they weren’t allowed to stay home. But during a January visit to Indian Wells Golf Resort, something rare happened: Everyone had a great time.

Playing golf with my family is one of my favorite things in the world. My husband is an avid golfer who never needs convincing. Our 15-year-old son has recently fallen head over spikes for the game. If there’s daylight, he’s playing. If there’s no daylight, he’s practicing under lights. And when he’s not playing? He’s recapping every hole, shot by shot, in vivid detail. A nice Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with that.

Our 13-year-old daughter, meanwhile, is perfectly happy riding along in a golf cart, blasting her playlist while practicing cartwheels in the rough. Ideally, though, she’d appreciate the game from a pool chair with a smoothie and a water slide nearby. Honestly, that was me at 13, so I’m holding out hope that she will discover her love for the game on her own someday, just like I did.

Two words (technically three) stood out to me on my computer screen when researching our family winter getaway: golf and water slide. Done. Booked. We rolled up looking like contestants on a golf reality show, yet the valet welcomed us like old friends. When Gabriel opened my door and greeted me with “Miss” instead of “Ma’am,” it took real restraint not to hug him. “Miss” hits differently after a long car ride.

While our daughter evaluated the pool like a resort critic, our son was already asking for directions to the driving range. That’s the magic of Indian Wells GR — it’s a serious golf destination that never forgets it’s also a family resort.

My husband joined our daughter while I hustled to catch up to the boy. The driving range deserves its own standing ovation. Toptracer technology at every hitting bay meant instant feedback instead of mom saying, “Yes, your clubface was open. Trust me.” There were couches, fi re pits, shade during the day and even a mobile bar that appeared at precisely the right time. Practice felt less like grinding and more like a social event.

The resort boasts two golf courses, and my son and I set out to tackle the Celebrity Course fi rst, designed by Clive Clark. The back tees — creatively named the Cabernet Tees (which sounds much more elegant than Black or Blue) — play just under 7,000 yards.

The course lives up to its billing with lush landscaping, streams weaving through fairways and mountain views that practically demand selfies. It’s as scenic as it is challenging, yet forgiving enough to keep your ego intact.

We were paired with a member named Bob, and before we even teed off , several members said the same thing: “You’re playing with Bob? You are in for a treat!”

They weren’t wrong.

Bob was kind, patient and full of helpful course knowledge. By the end of the round it felt less like we’d met a stranger and more like we’d played with an old friend.

After the round, the patio scene was equally perfect: a food truck serving exactly what hungry golfers want, people laughing about shots that “would have been great if the wind wasn’t weird,” and that relaxed desert energy where no one seems to be in a rush.

LATER THAT EVENING we tried the newly remodeled Kestrel — A Richard Blais Kitchen + Lounge. Walking in felt like stepping onto a Food Network set — with our two teenagers as the wildcard judges.

First came the amuse-bouche: shrimp and crab guacamole in a shell that looked like a piece of art. Both kids devoured it without hesitation. My husband and I exchanged stunned looks because seafood in our house usually gets the same enthusiasm as a mandatory family photo. The rest of the meal lived up to the hype and the kids were already discussing what they plan to order the next time we come to visit.

The next day we mixed it up. My daughter and I did some retail cardio while my husband and son tackled the newly renovated Players Course, designed by John Fought. At just over 7,300 yards, it’s longer and more strategic, with sculpted bunkers and water features that add both beauty and danger. It has more of a links-style feel than the Celebrity Course, making each golf course distinct from the other, which is always a welcome attribute when a resort features two courses on the same property.

To everyone’s delight, Bob was in their group again. My son isn’t easily impressed, but his face lit up when he heard the news. A great golf course matters — but the company matters just as much.

By the end of the weekend something magical had happened: The golfers got incredible golf; the non-golfer got a real vacation; and we all got to meet Bob.

Indian Wells GR didn’t just accommodate our family — it welcomed us.

And every great golf trip should come with a Bob.