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
1166 Reviews (1166)
5 Stars
736
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
90.1%
Recommend this course
1028 out of 1166 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
4.1
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.4
89.3%
Recommend this course
25 out of 28 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
106 Reviews (106)
5 Stars
69
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
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.6
89.6%
Recommend this course
95 out of 106 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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Reviews

4.5
1166 Reviews (1166)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played

$200 green fees in Summer?

I’ve played this course close to 100 times in the last 35 years.

Management has ruined it by removing so many trees last year. I get that Mesquite trees are water hogs but they removed all the shade from tee boxes and along the fairways.

Charging $200 a round in SUMMER is absolutely ridiculous!

This management Co. is GREEDY!

There are many courses in this valley to choose from. Don’t be afraid to take your business else where

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Stinking hot

Overall was really pleased

Location is solid tucked back near the “Cove”

Price was stellar for that day at $56, was a steal in my opinion. Range balls were included. Carts came with water and and ice plus had additional ice available and Marshall had extra water if needed

Cart also had Bluetooth connection so didn’t need to use personal speakers. My brother in laws cart #8 had a faulty speaker so sounded poorly. My cart was rocking

Greens were a little brown in them and could

Use more love. Not sure how Hurricane impacted the course the week before.

Didn’t get to utilize restaurant but talking to others it’s a good place

At the turn snack cart wasn’t open so had to head back to restaurant/clubhouse. But got more ice and drinks.

Marshall was on the course checked in on us a few times.

Did have a person that lived on the course that was playing that was very unpleasant and almost hit us. Even though we played under 4 hours he was hitting to early. We let him pass and told him but he gave a snotty response of that he was better than us.

Again I will close with a great overall experience.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 36
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Hot fun in the sun!

Played in 104 degree heat by staying very hydrated. Greens and fairways dry as expected but did not affect play. Course layout never disappoints. Avoided the “moat” and “San Andreas fault”, stayed dry on “Alcatraz”. What more can you ask for?!

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

Ok

First 2 greens were rough, But got better after 3. Fairways were patchy but for the most part like the greens did improve.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Toughhhhhh.

Tough course but very gorgeous and unique. Must play for sure and the staff was amazing.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
Verified Purchaser

Hurricane Hilary came thru and I didn’t get to play. Any chance for a refund of fees.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times 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 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Stay in the fairway!

Such a fun course! Make you focus to stay in the fairways! Otherwise your in Augusta! Lol I want to play again soon

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great playing where the pro’s play!

Our group had a blast playing PGA West Stadium Course in the heat of August! A wonderful Pete Dye layout - which was overall in good shape given the intensity of the summer desert heat. Grateful for the opportunity and look forward to playing the Stadium Course again and watching the PGA Tour players handle the course at The American Express next January!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great Experience

Staff was fantastic from the parking lot to the course. Fairways in good shape and rough a little long. Greens were punched in past few weeks, which is to be expected this time of year in Coachella Valley. Given recent weather the course was in excellent shape and presented a great challeng and staff kept us hydrated out there. With rough a little high. Lost a few balls but our fault for not hitting it true. Bar staff and food exceptional. Great round for me and my son. Many thanks to the team at PGA West! If I can offer any criticism, I’d like more rakes around the traps, but never should have been in ‘em in the first place.

Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

SLOW.

Played at 11 AM on a Sat. 100 degrees. and waited after the first hole on every single shot the whole day. the two groups in front of us pulled out range finders from 10 yards off the green and tossed up grass on every shot...all 6 or 7 on every hole. Pace was a game destroyer and probably added 8 strokes to my game. That and the heat. I came from the coast. The course was nice and challenging, I came up short on 5 or 6 greens, not sure if it was the heat or hangover from the night before. I'd play this course all the time if I lived in the area.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
3.0
Previously Played

What happened?

Not sure what happened to this place but 14 out of 18 greens have no grass on them, and basically look dead. I’ve never seen this before at such a prestigious place. I heard from the pro shop they ruined the punching and are going to shut down the stadium in hopes of saving the greens.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course Needs Help

Something must be wrong with the grass because all the greens and many areas on the fairways are in terrible condition. The greens are almost unplayable . I hope Theo can be fixed. I should have been told about the course conditions at the time of booking

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/05/2023

Hi, gkates. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing The Stadium Course at PGA WEST.

Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greens recently punched

Greens were recently punched. We’re in poor condition. Large brown patches, inconsistent.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 06/05/2023

Hello, marln8r. Thank you for visiting us at The Stadium Course at PGA WEST. We appreciate your 4-star rating and review. We hope you join us for another round soon.

Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/30/2023

We love hearing about our golfers' experiences, Galvez. Please tell us more about what you enjoyed during your round. Thanks for choosing The Stadium Course at PGA WEST!

Played On
Reviews 4
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Terrible greens. One par four reduced to a par three. Not even close to being a $200.00 course. Was my favorite and always play when I’m in La Quinta but took a big hit in my books this time !

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/30/2023

Hello u000006909527, thank you for taking the time to review us, and for the 3 stars. We're sorry to hear the course may not have been in the best shape on the day of your round. We appreciate your feedback as we work to make any necessary improvements. Thank you for choosing to golf with us, and we look forward to seeing you again soon at The Stadium Course at PGA WEST.

Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times 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
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/30/2023

mdube, thank you for the awesome rating! We hope to see you again at the course very soon for another great experience, and thanks for choosing The Stadium Course at PGA WEST.

Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Course

Great course but no idea the greens had just been punched until the first green. Very disappointing. Charge full price but punched greens and no warning so we could play another course.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/30/2023

Thank you for taking the time to review us, hindu121. Your feedback is valuable, and we appreciate your business. The Stadium Course at PGA WEST thanks you!

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