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
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Photo submitted by u00000969175 on 03/16/2026
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Photo submitted by u00000969175 on 03/16/2026
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Hole 17, Alcatraz! Photo submitted by Anthony4831484 on 02/16/2026
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Photo submitted by Only1Wade on 02/04/2026
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Photo submitted by u000001545303 on 11/26/2025
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Photo submitted by wangsiyong on 11/18/2025
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Photo submitted by wangsiyong on 11/18/2025
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Photo submitted by wangsiyong on 11/18/2025
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Photo submitted by JGaith3 on 09/21/2025
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Photo submitted by Langstongolf12345 on 07/03/2025
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Photo submitted by davetheref on 04/16/2025
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Photo submitted by chrissyoonn on 01/11/2025
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Photo submitted by captainjto on 09/16/2024
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Photo submitted by dclavergne on 03/26/2024
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Photo submitted by Ster15 on 01/11/2024
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Photo submitted by Ster15 on 01/11/2024
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Just to prove that i was there for real Photo submitted by u314163680578 on 01/04/2024
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Photo submitted by brianmcneely on 12/20/2023
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Photo submitted by ckarta on 11/16/2023
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Photo submitted by RyanYoo on 09/04/2023
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Photo submitted by rtmarett on 04/13/2023
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Photo submitted by David7946689 on 03/10/2023
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Photo submitted by derrickstratman on 12/30/2022
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Photo submitted by dentureguy1 on 12/28/2022
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Par 3 Hole# 13 Photo submitted by Patrick2494966 on 12/28/2022
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The moon coming over the mountains was an added bonus Photo submitted by Denis1turenne on 11/08/2022
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Photo submitted by u314161487788 on 04/28/2022
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Photo submitted by mprice26 on 01/31/2022
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Photo submitted by Bob5227955 on 01/15/2022
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Photo submitted by Bob5227955 on 01/15/2022
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Photo submitted by Bob5227955 on 01/15/2022
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Photo submitted by rdrpops1976 on 05/19/2021
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Photo submitted by hhindman1 on 03/23/2021
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Great Island Green Photo submitted by Rethoghead on 03/10/2021
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Photo submitted by u314161146232 on 01/15/2021
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Photo submitted by u425184049 on 12/29/2020
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Photo submitted by u314160828540 on 09/26/2020
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Photo submitted by elsinoreracer on 09/12/2020
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Photo submitted by gerardo2187051 on 06/18/2020
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Photo submitted by u527637026 on 01/31/2020
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Photo submitted by u929327549 on 01/28/2020
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17th "Alcatraz" Photo submitted by u314159354135 on 01/02/2020
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Keep it left, 300 yard waste area Photo submitted by u314159354135 on 01/02/2020
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Hitting over water often. Photo submitted by u314159354135 on 01/02/2020
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Photo submitted by Stephen1429457 on 12/29/2019
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Photo submitted by Ogle0437 on 11/27/2019
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Photo submitted by Ogle0437 on 11/27/2019
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Pepper on teh 6th Tee Photo submitted by Gremlingolfer on 05/15/2019
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Photo submitted by GREGCGOLFER on 09/26/2018
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Photo submitted by GREGCGOLFER on 09/26/2018
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Photo submitted by GREGCGOLFER on 09/26/2018
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Photo submitted by GREGCGOLFER on 09/26/2018
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Photo submitted by MikeBaileyGolf on 03/13/2018
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Photo submitted by MikeBaileyGolf on 03/13/2018
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Photo submitted by MikeBaileyGolf on 03/13/2018
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Photo submitted by MikeBaileyGolf on 03/13/2018
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Hole # 17 Photo submitted by Jsratike on 12/31/2016
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LOTS OF MOGULS Photo submitted by davidmadden on 04/10/2016
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Photo submitted by Walkitin80 on 04/10/2016
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17th hole Photo submitted by uPKKY6157PK on 04/17/2015
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Alcatraz Photo submitted by Joe9098914 on 07/16/2014
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Island green on #17 Photo submitted by 00maniac on 11/28/2013
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#6 "Amen" 100 yard plus carry over water Photo submitted by alanm0075 on 09/18/2013
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#5 "Double Trouble" Water post tee box and guarding the green plus a double dog leg. Photo submitted by alanm0075 on 09/18/2013
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#7 "Black Hole" water post tee box and guarding the green. Photo submitted by alanm0075 on 09/18/2013
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Photo submitted by djripper on 05/20/2013
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Photo submitted by djripper on 05/20/2013
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Photo submitted by djripper on 05/20/2013
Playing like the Pros
It was a great course to get a sense of what the Pros encounter even though not playing from the ‘tips’.
Nice idea to clearly make the entry and exits to the fairways. Areas of the course were quite dry and browned out.
Given this was first time playing the course we found it difficult to navigate around the many ,many bunkers. The GPS was not very helpful in many cases in order to be able to see bunkers behind rolls and hills. Greens were purported to be running at 11 in many instances they were much slower but rolling consistently.
Overall it was a tough test of golf, given it was our first time out for the season, it was probably not the best choice to start on. I would definitely play the course again.
This was our last round before leaving Palm Springs heading back to Alberta. Good customer service from. When you are met to getting on the course. Course in great shape. Challenging and narrow fairways. You had to think about your next shot.
When walking across the bridge on the 17th hole, Alcatraz, interesting to note that many PGA golfers had walked the same bridge.
Super Stadium
What a track!! I listened to the staff and jumped up to the White tees. What a stellar piece of advice. I was able to really enjoy the course and reach the greens. Unreal condition. Keep up the pace so you can take pics and videos at the 17th.
High expectations met
We had very high expectations playing this course. And the day was perfect.
Perfect condition, perfect layout. As difficult as we were fearing, but worth every dollar.
Don’t forget to bring your sand wedge, preferably a 62 degrees!
Fabulous
Great course great condition very tough but fair. Fabulous setting would definitely play again
Fun course, very good greens. Pace of play was slow.
Well designed challenging course
I heard the course and I watched professionals played the course for the championship. I finally played it myself. It's amazing experience!
The entire PGA West community is a golfer's dream place! So well designed courses and houses filled the area. It's quite a scene!
The club house is nice and the staffs from club house, starter and marshal are all very nice.
As for the course, I'm a 20 plus handicap. So people like me do not care so much about the scores. It's very difficult course filled with enormous bunkers and waters. So have to put your ball at the very precise place or your next shot will be very difficult to play. The green is fast, not professional tournament fast, though.
I enjoyed play there again in near future and other courses in the PGA West. I will check the golfnow often to find the good deals. Or, the regular price is around $ 200/round. It's not cheap.
challenging from all tee boxes
few flat lies. Very Challenging. Tricky Greens.
As far as amenities did not use the restaurant. Cart girl made rounds regularly.
One hour plus frost delay and then a 5+ hour pace. Quit at the turn. Maybe better on another day.
Challenging layout
I really enjoyed this golf course. We chose the white tees which were plenty of a challenge for me. (5 hdcp but not real long off the tee). Excellent conditions and a nice pace of play.
People that should not play this coarse
There are people that don’t have the skill to play the course this tough and slow down play
Perfection in the desert
Played the Stadium Course just 4 days after the PGA tour event and what a fantastic experience! This was our 6th time playing the course, and it has been great every time, but today the conditions were immaculate! Tee boxes and greens were absolute perfection. Only a couple spots in the fairway that I hit my ball where the tour players did, and so had to dodge divots. They commented on television that the greens looked like artificial turf they were so perfect, and it was true. You will be punished if you hit wayward shots, so go with realistic expectations for a score and you will have an unforgettable day!
Players Course
This is 3 days after the PGA tour completed the Desert Classic, the old bob hope if you will" This is a must play if you consider yourself a golfer. It has several tee boxes for all levels. I found the TIPS to be a very good challenge. My game was a little off, so I paid the price, but it was firm and fast. Something you all need to experience.