PGA West Stadium Course: #17
PGA West Stadium Course #17: Welcome to “Alcatraz.” Home to Lee Trevino’s “Hole in One” – one of the most famous shots in golf history – which gave him the “Skins Game” victory over Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Raymond Floyd.
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Rating Index Rating
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4.5
1174 Reviews (1174)
5 Stars
742
4 Stars
270
3 Stars
95
2 Stars
41
1 Stars
26
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.5
90.0%
Recommend this course
1035 out of 1174 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
31 Reviews (31)
5 Stars
21
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.4
87.1%
Recommend this course
27 out of 31 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
107 Reviews (107)
5 Stars
70
4 Stars
24
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
5
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.6
88.8%
Recommend this course
95 out of 107 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Resort
Par 72
Length 7300 yards
Slope 148
Rating 75.8

This is the monster of all monsters, the one that carries so many folktales of golfer terror with it that it should qualify as its own myth. The developers asked Pete Dye to make this "the toughest golf course in the world" and many argue he succeeded. Too well.

The Stadium Course at PGA WEST in La Quinta is one of those tracks that any self-respecting golf nut has to play once. Just to experience it. Just to say you did. Just to have stories of golf cruelty to tell at the office water cooler. There's a 19-foot deep bunker on the 16th hole. That's right. A 19-foot deep bunker. Your ball won't get out. Heck, you might not get out. From the back tees it measures 7,300 yards with an incredible 148-slope rating.

Every hole is a story waiting to be told. Either in success to be bragged about or failure to be even more bragged about. The PGA players moaned about this course so loud that it's no longer a regular stop on tour. Yet for average hackers, it's often a joy of punishment. Go in with the right attitude and it's liable to be one of your most unforgettable days of golf.

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PGA WEST - Pete Dye Stadium Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1987
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Pete Dye (1987) Alice Dye (1986)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes - "PGA WEST Golf Academy"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes
Practice Hole Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code No denim, collared shirt and bermuda shorts required

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Available Sports

Fitness, Tennis

Accolades

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10 rounds of waived fees
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$120 in tee time credits
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Reviews

4.5
1174 Reviews (1174)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fantastic course

The course was in fantastic shape. Second time playing it; course was much more difficult than I remember. That being said, I would go back to play in a heartbeat.

Make sure you practice your short game, as the green complexes were quite difficult, with runoffs/collection areas around most greens.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 02/18/2026:
We truly appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to hear you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working hard to make every experience just as memorable.
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Bucket list track

A must play if you’re in the area! We came to came to La Quinta for my Wife’s 50th birthday and she allowed me to play a couple days after her celebration, since it was a bucket list course. Unfortunately we didn’t get play all 18 due our tee time at 2:06 pm. That’s the only downside of trying to save a couple hundred bucks, the morning rate was super expensive.. I was able to go in front a few player as the sun was setting and play Alcatraz! We definitely plan to return for my 50th birthday in May and I’m paying the extra to get the entire round in!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 02/18/2026:
We truly appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to hear you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working hard to make every experience just as memorable.
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Poor experience

The experience was poor and not worth the time and effort. Too many other great courses in this area to bother with the Stadium Course. To pay around $500 for a round and to have a 5 hour and 20 minute round on a poorly conditioned course isn’t worth it.

Not sure if the rangers slept in that day, but we would often have three groups on the same hole waiting 5-15 minutes to hit a shot and we had a 9:54a tee time. Can’t imagine anyone teeing off after 12:30 finished before sunset.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Response from on 02/18/2026:
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We understand this visit didn’t fully meet expectations and will use your comments to continue improving. We hope to provide a better experience next time.
Played On
Reviews 29
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Spectacular

If you are hitting your ball well you will love this challenge, if not, just look around. It is gorgeous!! I was looking around most of the day. Love it and can’t wait to play again. Maybe my irons will play well the next time

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 02/13/2026:
We truly appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to hear you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working hard to make every experience just as memorable.
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Be prepared for this one.

Had a phenomenal day but an unforgiving round. Course was in great shape and played like nothing else. Be prepared for an errant shot and an awful recovery shot. Still one of the best times I have had playing a round.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Response from on 02/06/2026:
We truly appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to hear you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working hard to make every experience just as memorable.
Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Challenging Course

This course is extremely challenging with fast, extremely undulating greens, and lots of false fronts. We had a great time playing the course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Unbelievable!

Got an outstanding deal to play this course just 8 days after the American Express tournament was played! Wow, what an experience!! Great conditions, friendly staff. A must for anyone coming to this area to play golf.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
4.0
First Time Playing

Too disorganized at first hole. Pro shop dumps u on starter who has 50 sheets of paper on his table. Not friendly. All groups teeing off late. The late time groups there was no direction to play quickly and we saw the Marshall and he just drove by the group ahead of us that were definetly out of position and holding us up. We played Terra Lago at the exact same time and got it in the day before.

Living off thier past rrputation

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Must play, at least once

My only complaint was the glizzy at the turn, 6/10. Other than that, hard to beat.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Response from on 01/05/2026:
We really appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to know you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working to make every experience just as good.
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Everyone needs to play here at least once.

I came to the area for my birthday golf trip and wow was it worth it. This was the second course I played and it was worth every cent. From the bag drop off being inviting and friendly to the pro shop cracking jokes and being very helpful, this establishment makes golfers feel welcome and excited to play. Course conditions were amazing and the greens were a tad bit long but understandable as they were letting them grow for the American Express match. Difficult, iconic, and overall amazing course. Tough shots over the water and through lakes but very doable as long as you don’t try to be a hero on every shot. 10/10 will be returning next year.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Stadium Course

Had an enjoyable round at the Stadium Course. Unfortunately pace of play only allowed us to complete 17 holes. Course was in great condition. My only disappointment was that the pin location sheet provided was inaccurate on every single hole. It is very difficult to manage approach shots when you don’t have the correct information.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Look no further when in Palm Springs

This course is phenomenal

A must when in the area

Challenging yet rewarding

Beautiful views and course was in impeccable shape

My only minor complaint is pace of play but that’s more patrons than have no clue how to behave. Also if your drive goes 155. No need to wait on a par 5 that group ahead leaves the green on a par 5 to hit your second shot. 2 minutes delay per hole ads half hour of wasted time per round

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Spectacular

Have played The Stadium Course the past three years and love it. They just came out of over seeding so the green were just a bit slow but still great. Love this place

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great day except for Cart Path only

Great conditions, don't really see why it is Cart Path Only, the fairways are perfect. Greens are rolling good.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Nice course

I want to say if you want to play a nice course, pga west is your must choice

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 38
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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