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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4.6
1227 Reviews (1227)
5 Stars
784
4 Stars
278
3 Stars
97
2 Stars
41
1 Stars
27
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
92.4%
Recommend this course
1087 out of 1227 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
62 Reviews (62)
5 Stars
49
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.7
96.8%
Recommend this course
60 out of 62 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
90 Reviews (90)
5 Stars
68
4 Stars
16
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.3
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.6
94.4%
Recommend this course
85 out of 90 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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Reviews

4.6
1227 Reviews (1227)

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 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Tough course but fun

Some hikes under construction with the greens. Tough course yet fun with plenty of sand and water if you don’t hit it right. Couple of greens under construction but overall it was 4 stars.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Windy day made this round a doozy

Beautiful course, the winds made it even tougher than usual. My only complaint is some of the greens were being rebuilt, but it wasn’t a big issue. Will definitely return.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 29
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
California Advisor
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Awesome Day

This place is amazing. You cannot lose coming here. Staff was awesome. Course is sick. Great shape. Can't wait to come out again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Always fun

The course was in great shape like usual. The only downside was some bunkers lacked sand.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
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 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great course a little out of the way but played during Corona-virus lock-down

Tough course, excellent shape. Greens are accepting, little small. You must hit straight t-shots to get you into position to attack the greens. I had a great day with the driver so I had fun, but i can see if you are wayward with driver or t-shot it will be a long day!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course maintenance below average

This is a great golf course that charges a premium price. 3 days prior to us playing there was an inch of rain. Standing water in low areas and in a few traps. We rented a house on the 11th hole and never saw a maintenance crew attempt to fix issues. They cut the greens but don’t make the final cut around the perimeter of the green.

If you are charging a prescription price the course should be in premium condition. You can’t take short cuts. Issues on the course have to be addressed immediately.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
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 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

Rock hard greens

For the money, I expected a more manicured course. They need to up the maintenance, particularly the front nine

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Horrible bunkers

The course was immaculate, tees, fairways and greens. However the sand traps were hard packed and very little sand. Not worthy of the course or the price they charge

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Worth every $$$$

Course never lets me down but yet always beats me down with its challenges. Always a pleasure

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Tough as advertised

Course in great shape, pace of play was reasonable. Tough, visually intimidating course, but fair. Fairways, bunkers, and greens all in pristine condition. On the pricey side...but worth it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 57
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Absolutely Top Notch

Might not be cheap but in my mind it is worth every penny. I am a big Sawgrass fan so there is no doubt I love this track. Playing from the golds about 5,800 yards is just so much fun. All the grasses are in terrific shape. Always remember Pete Dye giveth and he takes away.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great time

From the practice facilities to the 19th hole. We immensely enjoyed ourselves. Course was still in tournament shape and gave a good idea of how impressive of what tour pros can do.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course but really slow today, waited every shot

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Stadium is a favorite

Course is in great shape... as usual ... very challenging but a fantastic experience

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
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Golf Packages

The Palm Mountain Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

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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.

The Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage Stay & Play Package

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PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.

The Lodge At Torrey Pines Stay & Play Package

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LA JOLLA, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge at Torrey Pines and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Torrey Pines – South Course and Torrey Pines – North Course.

The OMNI La Costa Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

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CARLSBAD, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The OMNI La Costa Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Aviara Golf Course, OMNI La Costa – South Course, and OMNI La Costa – North Course.

Luxor Resort & Casino Stay & Play Package

FROM $137 (USD)
LAS VEGAS, NV | Enjoy up to 3 nights’ accommodations at the Luxor Resort & Casino and up to 3 rounds of golf at your choice of Legacy Golf Course, Las Vegas National Golf Course, and Desert Pines Golf Course.
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