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
1153 Reviews (1153)
5 Stars
727
4 Stars
265
3 Stars
95
2 Stars
40
1 Stars
26
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.6
90.4%
Recommend this course
1016 out of 1153 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
59 Reviews (59)
5 Stars
37
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.7
88.1%
Recommend this course
52 out of 59 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
153 Reviews (153)
5 Stars
101
4 Stars
32
3 Stars
11
2 Stars
7
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.2
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.5
89.5%
Recommend this course
137 out of 153 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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$120 in tee time credits
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Reviews

4.5
1153 Reviews (1153)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
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
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
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
4.0
First Time Playing

Time of year!

The course was enjoyable and the staff was great. The only thing keeping me from a 5 star rating was the condition of the greens. Simply shaggy and slow (said 9.5 stint, but closer to 8).

I’m sure that was a result of the time of year. I’d definitely come back but only when the greens are right.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Very Hot

Beautiful.

Green were very hard and dry, and also top dressed. Still fun to play.

Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Response from on 09/19/2025:
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 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Bucket list course!

This course was very challenging. The ball never really landed flat. I had an amazing time playing the game was at a perfect pace of speed. definitely good for bragging rights.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 09/17/2025:
Thanks for the glowing feedback! It’s always a pleasure hearing that guests had a fantastic time. Hope to see you again soon!
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Terrible greens!!!

The greens were terrible. For the money I paid it was not worth it with the greens in this bad of shape. They were all full of sand and so slow. I was not told about them before the round. One of the greens they were watering in the middle of us playing it which made it worse with the sand already on the green.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 16
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great Course Layout, Condition So-So

Greens had been sanded with no notice when signing up or going out to play. Very difficult course. Rough stringy, and ball sits way down in rough.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Previously Played

Sandy Greens

The PGA STADIUM Golf Course had the Greens filled with sand. It was absolutely Horrible. A waste of money. Very disappointing 😥

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 24
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful course

This is one heck of a golf course. It's difficult but fair. Some of the most beautiful views I've ever seen on a golf course. Especially early in the morning when the shadows and the Hills and the trees. The greens are in great shape. Bring your A game that's all I got to say.

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
4.0
First Time Playing

Greens understandably rolling slightly slower in the summer. Crossed this dream course off the bucket list!

Have been dreaming of playing a round here at the stadium course for ages. Considering it’s the summer, course was surprisingly green and lush with the greens rolling a little slower than what I prefer. For comparison, last week at the Greg Norman course the greens were running miles faster than at stadium. With that being said, I knew what I signed up for since the course had just opened back up days before after being closed for maintenance last month. Besides that, our round was an absolute treat. Be prepared to score considerably higher than what you’re used to. Equally punishing as it is exhilarating. Survived Alcatraz (after admittedly taking 1 mulligan) and escaped with a bogey on 18 playing from the tips to finish our round. Cannot recommend this absolute monster of a course enough to all my locals from the Coachella Valley in the summer. Great price in the evening if you can stand the heat, and the staff were extremely welcoming. An affordable PGA tour venue in great condition? It’s a no brainer.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
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 Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great Course

Greens had been aerated recently which affected their speeds which was a shame but also meant it was only $78 for the round. Course was gorgeous in amongst the mountains. Everyone very friendly. Obv it’s out of season but would have loved the halfway hut open and more regular visit from the drinks cart for more waters & drinks options. Otherwise cannot complain about playing a tour course for that price!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 83
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Challenging course in La Quinta!

Fun course with challenging water features. They put in new greens recently so they were playing super firm. Always nice to play a PGA tour course for such a good deal (I snagged a hot deal)!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 14
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Good conditions before they punch greens. Tough course play up!

Good conditions before they punch greens. Tough course play up! Used Hot Deal coupons for cheap twilight round, well worth it. Greens are getting burnt out but fairways, rough, collars everything else is lush. Get it before they punch greens end of July. Highly recommend white tees. Awesome views.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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Desert Golf Around Package

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