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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4.5
1165 Reviews (1165)
5 Stars
735
4 Stars
269
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
4.5
90.0%
Recommend this course
1027 out of 1165 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
28 Reviews (28)
5 Stars
19
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.4
89.3%
Recommend this course
25 out of 28 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
105 Reviews (105)
5 Stars
68
4 Stars
25
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.6
89.5%
Recommend this course
94 out of 105 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

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
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10 rounds of waived fees
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$120 in tee time credits
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Tee Time Protection
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Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

4.5
1165 Reviews (1165)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Slow but worth it

I had a 1:57 tee time and got 15 holes in. Paid $125 which was worth saving $200+ to miss 3 holes. Such a great strategic course with so many challenges. The only knock is pace of play which is about 4.5 hours.

If not the hardest it is one of the hardest courses I have played but so worth playing

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Used cart

A Great Golf Course

Played the stadium course yesterday in very nice conditions, warm with little wind. Loved the course. It is challenging but fair with lots of tee boxes to accomodate golfers of all ages. I would suggest that players with more advanced skill level should play here as the greens complexes , bunkering and precision needed for the stadium course might improve the pace of play. It took us 5 hours to play. The greens were fast and in good condition. Highly recommended!!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

great course too many players

The Stadium Course is very good. Plays slow because of the difficulty and the number of players they funnel onto the course. Two groups on the tee at every par 3. Basically a 5 hour round.

Course was a great shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 23
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Stadium Course experience

Excellent layout and course condition !

Pete Dye challenge as usual on every hole here at The Stadium PGA West

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Snow bird

The staff was excellent and professional, the started (Frank) was able to get us out earlier in order for us to finish before dark . The greens were as pure and true as I have ever played on .

It’s a must play if you are in the desert!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Cramped T-times

The course was in very good condition. Staff were awesome. I loved the challenge of playing this great course.

However at the price they charge for playing this course one should not need to take 4 hrs and 55 minutes to get a round of golf played.

They need to add at least 2 minutes between groups.

The waiting time at nearly every Tee and approach shot put a serious shadow on what should be an awesome day.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

jomigo

Good course, but played carpath only so lots of walking on hills, berms and sand/waste areas.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Best course in Palm Springs

I’ve played nearly all the public courses in Palm Springs. Can’t think of a close second. This place has it all. The greens were perfect. It’s a tough track but that’s part of the fun. I’ll be back again and again for this one.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 74
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

Real deal

Immaculate conditions, super friendly staff, unreal golf course. What more can you ask for? I teed off a little after 1 and we were the last group to finish all 18. It was 15+ mph winds when I played and even with the tough conditions it was barely over 4 hours, so decent rate of play. Played here when I was around a 20 and it was no fun, much more enjoyable as a 14; would not recommend for beginners or casual players

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Jomigo

Good course, tough bunkers. Challenging for 15 to 20 handicapper

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Stadium was a beauty

Great challenge, great conditions, and the course was in perfect condition. Unfortunately for me, we started at 2, sunset was at 5:ish, so we didn't get to play Alcatraz or finish the round.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

$45 for Tournament Conditions

When I saw a "Hot Deal" for a $55 I could not pass it up, especially a week prior to the PGA Tour event. With my Golfpass membership $10 discount it was definitely on. Although my playing partner and I were only able to finish 15 holes on the Stadium Course, it was unbelievable to play this layout. Having been part of the PGA Live crew in the past, being able to actually play this course has been a goal, so thank you Golfnow for making tee times available at great rates. The greens are fast, and bump-and-run shots can yield some surprising results. The staff was very personable and friendly.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Played On
Reviews 9
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 Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Wow! What an experience.

For any true fan of the game, this course is a must play. We were lucky to give er’ a go a week and a half before the American Express, which was cool to see. Course is very challenging (which makes it fun), big trouble if you are off the fairways and most green side bunkers are vicious. The greens are a good test and tricky to hold without a soft landing with some backspin. You are treated as a “pro” right when you get there, from your clubs being picked up, cold water bottles in the cart, a spectacular range with balls provided, and proper plastic PGA West marked tees in the cart. A great test for anyone that considers themselves a “golfer”, which we all do if we are honest right? A phenomenal deal at under $100 and highly recommended to all those who find themself taking practice swings in your bathroom mirror. We will be bragging to our friends in frozen Canada about this round all winter.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

Terrible Experience

It was terrible experience. The staff rushed us so hard beacuse the course owner was right behind us.

We were 5min late, but the staff noticed us once. So we went faster. The staff kept following us during the hole.

After a couple holes, the another staff came to us, and noticed us again that we were 5 min late again.

I got the notice 6 times in total . One of the staff said they dont want to make any delay for their course owner.

This course just totally ignored customers because of their employer loyalty. I paid around $1100, but i want entire refund.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Beautiful!

Such an awesome course! Quite expensive but the course was packed. Very cool to play while they’re setting it up for the Amex

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 35
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging course, but well worth it

Course was excellent. Fun to play. Was in excellent condition and well maintained.

We played 2 weeks before a pga event, and it was in great shape..

Only negative is not letting carts drive to the bag drop area. Was a huge bottleneck at the end of the day. We carried our bags up, rather than deal with the semi madness.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
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PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at Palm Mountain Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, Indian Canyons – North Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.

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