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
1213 Reviews (1213)
5 Stars
771
4 Stars
277
3 Stars
97
2 Stars
41
1 Stars
27
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.6
90.9%
Recommend this course
1073 out of 1213 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
52 Reviews (52)
5 Stars
38
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.1
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.7
94.2%
Recommend this course
49 out of 52 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
91 Reviews (91)
5 Stars
62
4 Stars
20
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.6
91.2%
Recommend this course
83 out of 91 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
This iconic stadium course delivers a bucket-list layout with stunning mountain views, challenging water hazards, and conditions that consistently impress recent golfers. Welcoming staff from bag drop to pro shop make every visitor feel genuinely excited to play.

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+ Annual
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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Tee Time Protection

Reviews

4.5
1213 Reviews (1213)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 42
Patio Dining 28
19th Hole Scenic Views 26
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 70
Water Hazards 67
Forced Carries 49
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 61
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 52
A Weekend Splurge 31
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 42
At a Resort 34
Convenient to the City 18

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 25
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
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Too challenging for the average and senior golfers

No GPS yardage mapping units in the electric carts as most such other high-end coursed provide. The hole flags on the greens were not color coded. No maps of holes on score card. There were several blind approach shots to the greens that were heavily bunkered and surrounded by sand moats. As such, for a new player on this course it was often like trying to pin the tail on the donkey blindfolded. Overall not a good experience.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Challenging

I'm a 12 and if you get in the traps, which are everywhere prepare to add some strokes. It is also severely sloped so adjusting is so important. Greens are true fairways were nice, it's just challenging. I loved it but wouldn't pay full price to play there.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
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 Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great

Been here 4 times before, and this is by far the best conditions and staff experience I have ever had. Keep up the good work.

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
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

A Good Day

Fantastic golf experience

The price is significantly higher then a few years ago.

Challenging design.

Punishing for most miss shots

You feel an accomplishment for good shots in some intimidating holes

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
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 9
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 75
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
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