The Stadium Course at PGA WEST
About
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.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 72 | 7300 yards | 75.8 | 148 |
| Black (W) | 72 | 7300 yards | 82.5 | 154 |
| Blue | 72 | 6739 yards | 73.1 | 140 |
| Blue (W) | 72 | 6739 yards | 79.3 | 147 |
| Blue/White | 72 | 6383 yards | 71.2 | 136 |
| Blue/White (W) | 72 | 6383 yards | 77.2 | 142 |
| White | 72 | 6166 yards | 70.2 | 133 |
| White (W) | 72 | 6166 yards | 75.9 | 139 |
| Gold (W) | 72 | 5700 yards | 73.9 | 134 |
| Gold | 72 | 5700 yards | 67.9 | 125 |
| Gold/Red | 72 | 5370 yards | 66.4 | 120 |
| Gold/Red (W) | 72 | 5370 yards | 71.7 | 130 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5092 yards | 69.9 | 127 |
| Red | 72 | 5092 yards | 65.1 | 115 |
| Silver | 72 | 4084 yards | 60.7 | 103 |
| Silver (W) | 72 | 4084 yards | 64.2 | 114 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black M: 76.0/148 W: 82.3/154 | 445 | 371 | 471 | 192 | 535 | 255 | 346 | 559 | 452 | 3626 | 416 | 617 | 363 | 214 | 389 | 468 | 600 | 168 | 439 | 3674 | 7300 |
| Black/Blue M: 74.6/145 W: 80.6/150 | 382 | 371 | 448 | 170 | 535 | 223 | 346 | 559 | 430 | 3464 | 416 | 591 | 363 | 195 | 389 | 436 | 600 | 146 | 405 | 3541 | 7005 |
| Blue M: 73.4/141 W: 79.1/147 | 382 | 348 | 448 | 170 | 514 | 223 | 309 | 526 | 430 | 3350 | 380 | 591 | 347 | 195 | 372 | 436 | 517 | 146 | 405 | 3389 | 6739 |
| Blue/White M: 71.7/137 W: 77.1/142 | 358 | 348 | 383 | 170 | 514 | 187 | 309 | 526 | 382 | 3177 | 351 | 530 | 347 | 167 | 372 | 404 | 517 | 131 | 387 | 3206 | 6383 |
| White M: 70.6/134 W: 75.8/138 | 358 | 328 | 383 | 151 | 496 | 187 | 295 | 486 | 382 | 3066 | 351 | 530 | 308 | 167 | 348 | 404 | 474 | 131 | 387 | 3100 | 6166 |
| White/Gold M: 69.0/129 W: 74.0/134 | 334 | 328 | 356 | 133 | 496 | 146 | 295 | 486 | 362 | 2936 | 327 | 482 | 308 | 167 | 328 | 367 | 474 | 131 | 318 | 2902 | 5838 |
| Gold M: 68.4/127 W: 73.2/132 | 334 | 320 | 356 | 133 | 460 | 146 | 281 | 471 | 362 | 2863 | 327 | 482 | 287 | 153 | 328 | 367 | 463 | 112 | 318 | 2837 | 5700 |
| Gold/Red M: 66.8/122 W: 71.3/128 | 334 | 320 | 327 | 111 | 437 | 133 | 281 | 429 | 313 | 2685 | 327 | 442 | 287 | 105 | 328 | 338 | 428 | 112 | 318 | 2685 | 5370 |
| Red M: 65.5/118 W: 69.7/125 | 304 | 290 | 327 | 111 | 437 | 133 | 240 | 429 | 313 | 2584 | 294 | 442 | 249 | 105 | 293 | 338 | 428 | 83 | 276 | 2508 | 5092 |
| Red/Silver M: 63.0/111 W: 66.6/118 | 239 | 230 | 262 | 111 | 437 | 112 | 240 | 429 | 231 | 2291 | 237 | 442 | 249 | 105 | 209 | 270 | 428 | 83 | 232 | 2255 | 4546 |
| Silver M: 60.9/106 W: 64.0/112 | 239 | 230 | 262 | 106 | 335 | 112 | 190 | 358 | 231 | 2063 | 237 | 350 | 220 | 94 | 209 | 270 | 343 | 66 | 232 | 2021 | 4084 |
| Handicap | 9 | 15 | 3 | 17 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 13 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 18 | 10 | 12 | 4 | 16 | 14 | 2 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 9 | 5 | 1 | 17 | 7 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 16 | 10 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Available Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet FacilitiesAvailable Sports
Fitness, TennisReviews
Reviewer Photos
-
Photo submitted by matpdx on 05/28/2026
-
Photo submitted by u314163979566 on 05/28/2026
-
Photo submitted by u314163979566 on 05/28/2026
-
Photo submitted by u314163979566 on 05/28/2026
-
Photo submitted by u00000969175 on 03/16/2026
-
Photo submitted by u00000969175 on 03/16/2026
-
Hole 17, Alcatraz! Photo submitted by Anthony4831484 on 02/16/2026
-
Photo submitted by Only1Wade on 02/04/2026
-
Photo submitted by u000001545303 on 11/26/2025
-
Photo submitted by wangsiyong on 11/18/2025
-
Photo submitted by wangsiyong on 11/18/2025
-
Photo submitted by wangsiyong on 11/18/2025
-
Photo submitted by JGaith3 on 09/21/2025
-
Photo submitted by Langstongolf12345 on 07/03/2025
-
Photo submitted by davetheref on 04/16/2025
-
Photo submitted by chrissyoonn on 01/11/2025
-
Photo submitted by captainjto on 09/16/2024
-
Photo submitted by dclavergne on 03/26/2024
-
Photo submitted by Ster15 on 01/11/2024
-
Photo submitted by Ster15 on 01/11/2024
-
Just to prove that i was there for real Photo submitted by u314163680578 on 01/04/2024
-
Photo submitted by brianmcneely on 12/20/2023
-
Photo submitted by ckarta on 11/16/2023
-
Photo submitted by RyanYoo on 09/04/2023
-
Photo submitted by rtmarett on 04/13/2023
-
Photo submitted by David7946689 on 03/10/2023
-
Photo submitted by derrickstratman on 12/30/2022
-
Photo submitted by dentureguy1 on 12/28/2022
-
Par 3 Hole# 13 Photo submitted by Patrick2494966 on 12/28/2022
-
The moon coming over the mountains was an added bonus Photo submitted by Denis1turenne on 11/08/2022
-
Photo submitted by u314161487788 on 04/28/2022
-
Photo submitted by mprice26 on 01/31/2022
-
Photo submitted by Bob5227955 on 01/15/2022
-
Photo submitted by Bob5227955 on 01/15/2022
-
Photo submitted by Bob5227955 on 01/15/2022
-
Photo submitted by rdrpops1976 on 05/19/2021
-
Photo submitted by hhindman1 on 03/23/2021
-
Great Island Green Photo submitted by Rethoghead on 03/10/2021
-
Photo submitted by u314161146232 on 01/15/2021
-
Photo submitted by u425184049 on 12/29/2020
-
Photo submitted by u314160828540 on 09/26/2020
-
Photo submitted by elsinoreracer on 09/12/2020
-
Photo submitted by gerardo2187051 on 06/18/2020
-
Photo submitted by u527637026 on 01/31/2020
-
Photo submitted by u929327549 on 01/28/2020
-
17th "Alcatraz" Photo submitted by u314159354135 on 01/02/2020
-
Keep it left, 300 yard waste area Photo submitted by u314159354135 on 01/02/2020
-
Hitting over water often. Photo submitted by u314159354135 on 01/02/2020
-
Photo submitted by Stephen1429457 on 12/29/2019
-
Photo submitted by Ogle0437 on 11/27/2019
-
Photo submitted by Ogle0437 on 11/27/2019
-
Pepper on teh 6th Tee Photo submitted by Gremlingolfer on 05/15/2019
-
Photo submitted by GREGCGOLFER on 09/26/2018
-
Photo submitted by GREGCGOLFER on 09/26/2018
-
Photo submitted by GREGCGOLFER on 09/26/2018
-
Photo submitted by GREGCGOLFER on 09/26/2018
-
Photo submitted by MikeBaileyGolf on 03/13/2018
-
Photo submitted by MikeBaileyGolf on 03/13/2018
-
Photo submitted by MikeBaileyGolf on 03/13/2018
-
Photo submitted by MikeBaileyGolf on 03/13/2018
-
Hole # 17 Photo submitted by Jsratike on 12/31/2016
-
LOTS OF MOGULS Photo submitted by davidmadden on 04/10/2016
-
Photo submitted by Walkitin80 on 04/10/2016
-
17th hole Photo submitted by uPKKY6157PK on 04/17/2015
-
Alcatraz Photo submitted by Joe9098914 on 07/16/2014
-
Island green on #17 Photo submitted by 00maniac on 11/28/2013
-
#6 "Amen" 100 yard plus carry over water Photo submitted by alanm0075 on 09/18/2013
-
#5 "Double Trouble" Water post tee box and guarding the green plus a double dog leg. Photo submitted by alanm0075 on 09/18/2013
-
#7 "Black Hole" water post tee box and guarding the green. Photo submitted by alanm0075 on 09/18/2013
-
Photo submitted by djripper on 05/20/2013
-
Photo submitted by djripper on 05/20/2013
-
Photo submitted by djripper on 05/20/2013
The best course I've played in SoCal!
First time I've played this course and I was SO impressed. The conditions and staff were top notch but the star of the show was the absolutely amazing layout of this Pete Dye course!!! This course demands and rewards accuracy. I'm about a 12 handicap but I can be erratic off the tee. I had a fairly good day and shot an 86 from the whites. I've now played 48 courses in the Inland Empire and North San Diego County over the last 2 1/2 years. I had more fun playing this course than any other course! Truly a "MUST PLAY"!
Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating, u314162076099! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing The Stadium Course at PGA West!
Hi, u00000736813. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time at The Stadium Course at PGA West. We look forward to seeing you on the course soon for another 5-star experience!
Hi, shenley. Thank you so much for the great review. We are glad you had an incredible time, and we hope to see you again soon! Thanks for choosing The Stadium Course at PGA West.
This is golf!
Fantastic golf course - layout, conditions, greens, pace of play, price, staff. Professional all the way.
Hi, davidjohl. Thank you so much for the great review. We are glad you had an incredible time, and we hope to see you again soon! Thanks for choosing The Stadium Course at PGA West.
Hi, u000004145513. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time at The Stadium Course at PGA West. We look forward to seeing you on the course soon for another 5-star experience!
So worth it
Me and 3 of my buddies played this course for our first times ever and boy did it not disappoint! So challenging, but so much fun. We played the blue/white combo which turned out to be perfect for us. Turns out the pros play off a good amount of the blues locations. Pretty near. Can’t wait to play this course again.
Thank you for your review, Daniel3910. We will pass along your positive experience to our team at The Stadium Course at PGA West. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Must play course
This Pete Dye masterpiece is a must play course. Considering the amount of play it is in very good condition. We played in a 2 club wind making #17 a real challenge! The wind was in our face! Love this course and play it when I'm in town.
Hello, u314161175221. We appreciate you leaving a review and rating us 5 stars. We're delighted to hear how much you enjoyed the pristine course conditions. We work hard to provide an exceptional experience, and it's very satisfying to hear from golfers like you who appreciate our efforts. We will inform the entire team so they know their hard work is paying off. We look forward to having you back The Stadium Course at PGA West!
Less than I expected
Great layout but there were a lot of bare spots in some of the fairways. Also some of the green side bunkers could use more sand
Thank you for your review, trandalljones. We will pass along your positive experience and feedback to our team at The Stadium Course at PGA West. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Great course
Loved playing this course. Greens too slow. Brian the starter was wonderful. Back nine more aesthetically pleasing than the front.
Thank you for taking the time to review us, u314160697504. Your feedback is valuable, and we look forward to delivering you excellent service again soon. The Stadium Course at PGA West thanks you!
Sadistic
This is a great course to embarrass your friends. First two holes are deceptively easy, then Pete Dye proceeds to play with your sanity. The course is just long enough that you need driver on most holes, but when one hazard ends another begins. It’s pick your poison. Almost every hole is like a signature hole. Once I gave up on my score I could just enjoy the absurdity and the experience. The greens are pretty fast but not as bad as the Nicklaus. Def take 1 extra club on Alcatraz hole. Remember you’re below sea level. Sort of a bucket list course. Not sure if I’d play it again. Maybe a drinking round w/ buddies.
Wow! We are so happy you enjoyed your round, Mike72davis! We look forward to seeing you again soon at The Stadium Course at PGA West.
Great Course
We almost always play this course when we're in PS. However, we've never played it in September. Course was in the best condition that we've ever seen. Greens were somewhat fast and very true. It was a pleasure to play this course like this. Yes, it ha its typical brown spots in some areas, but bunkers and tee boxes were perfect. Very challenging layout, so if you're not up to the test, I'd leave this course alone. Not for the feint of heart. This isn't a feel good course. Trouble everywhere, but not unfair.
Wow! We are so happy you enjoyed your round, stoneyne! We look forward to seeing you again soon at The Stadium Course at PGA West.
Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating, u314161175221! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing The Stadium Course at PGA West!
Staff excellent
From the pro shop to the starter to the guys in the bag room everybody was top notch. Especially a gentleman named Kehlani took very good care of us would play again they’re just for the service. Tough track all-around great day.
Hello, u314161006592. Thanks so much for your review. We're so glad you enjoyed your round at The Stadium Course at PGA West. That's what we like to hear! We hope to see you again soon!
Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating, nishikawatakeo! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing The Stadium Course at PGA West!
Great course as always!
Summer conditions as expected but course never disappoints. Got a great deal on GolfNow but in 100 degree weather. Great facilities (restaurant/free range/ice machines and provided with water bottles!). Fifth time playing stadium course; played well this time; avoided San Andreas fault but playing partner didn’t; disappointed not on in GIR on Alcatraz (1/5). Keeps me coming back for more!
Wow! We are so happy you enjoyed your round, kanha19! We look forward to seeing you again soon at The Stadium Course at PGA West.
Class
Thanks to everyone especially Charlie and Pete for an amazing few days of golf!
Thank you for taking the time to review us, u314162105090. Your feedback is valuable, and we look forward to delivering you excellent service again soon. The Stadium Course at PGA West thanks you!
Pace of play and course conditions not up to par
Pace of play was hampered by two three groups ahead of us and not well managed by PA.
Even though it is summer conditions there are many courses in the Valley in much better shape.
Expected more from a course with this reputation.
We apologize for the pace of play issue you experienced. We always try to keep a great pace when having our golfers on the course. Thank you for taking the time to give us your feedback as we will use your review to better the experience going forward. We hope you give us another try in the near future!
Hi, u192059544. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time at The Stadium Course at PGA West. We look forward to seeing you on the course soon for another 5-star experience!
Bucket List Course
Being able to play a Dye designed course that the pro's play was incredible. Course is forgiving to golfers that can shape their shots around obstacles. Greens rolled true and consistent. Shot 89 from the whites with about a 17-18 handicap.
Hello, hopj545. We appreciate you leaving a review and rating us 5 stars. We're delighted to hear how much you enjoyed the pristine course conditions. We work hard to provide an exceptional experience, and it's very satisfying to hear from golfers like you who appreciate our efforts. We will inform the entire team so they know their hard work is paying off. We look forward to having you back The Stadium Course at PGA West!
Hello, broncostarrinhemet. Thanks so much for taking the time to write a review. We're so glad that you enjoyed your round at The Stadium Course at PGA West. Please visit us again soon!