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.
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.5
1200 Reviews (1200)
5 Stars
763
4 Stars
273
3 Stars
96
2 Stars
41
1 Stars
27
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.6
89.9%
Recommend this course
1060 out of 1200 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
44 Reviews (44)
5 Stars
35
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.2
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.8
93.2%
Recommend this course
41 out of 44 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
90 Reviews (90)
5 Stars
61
4 Stars
18
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.6
88.9%
Recommend this course
80 out of 90 reviews
Read Reviews
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
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.

Book a Tee Time at
PGA WEST - Pete Dye Stadium Course
Powered by GolfNow.com

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
golf ball.svg
$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
waivedfees
12 rounds of waived fees
redeemtrophy
GolfPass Member Pricing
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection

Reviews

4.5
1200 Reviews (1200)

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

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Test ur GAME

Fair test w every shot a challenge. Very fun test of your skills. A must play when u come to the desert.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Always Demanding

Golfers not loving this course are just wanting something easier . Lots of fun every hole a scenic adventure . Play the correct tees . Unless you are an honest 5 or under play the whites or blue white combo

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Tough Track

Very tough course. 1 of 5 we played over a long buddies golf trip wkend. Had to play it as a bucket lister. Lots of water and bunkers that didn't make it any easier. Course was in great shape but not as pristine as when you watch the tour players come through it at the beginning of the year. Bring your A game!

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great time

Course was great, schedule was open we played 23 holes in 3.5 hours , cart services could be better but great course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
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
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Stadium Course PGA West

Great layout greens were sweet had the Course to ourselves. Staff at PGA West went out of their way to make our round the best it could be. A+

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Stadium Course was amazing

Pace of play was excellent and the weather was incredible. IF you can keep the ball in the fairway, you will score well. Greens were quick and hard to hold outside of 130 yards. Incredible experience and can't wait to go back next year...

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Awesome

Awesome course, tough but your rewarded for good shots and punished for bad shots. Great deal at $93

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Very Challenging...Beautiful Course

This was the first time I have played the Stadium course. I got a great rate on GolfNow for a 3:45pm tee time. Unfortunately, the groups ahead of me were playing rather slow and I was only able to get 16 holes in. The water and bunkers made this course tough. It was fun being able to play a course that I watch the professionals play on TV. I would definitely play it again if the price is right!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful Golf Course

Absolutely beautiful course. Different challenges on every hole challenges every aspect of your game. Only issue was pace of play- very slow. Didn’t see the Marshall out on the course once to speed things up. Started at 2:30 and wasn’t able to finish 18 holes by 8 PM due to a logjam of slow groups ahead of us.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

One of the nicest courses in the valley.

Course is in great shape. Greens are a little firm so play it short of the hole. Live this place!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 378
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Difficult yes, but Stadium is a fair, fun test

While this course has been billed as the most difficult in America (rating of 75.8 from the Tournament tees), I don't even think it's the most difficult Pete Dye Course. Pound Ridge and French Lick are two that come to mind, but this certainly isn't far behind. Still, the PGA Tour worthy Stadium Course is actually fairly generous off the tee. It's the approaches and bunkers -- both greenside and fairway -- as well as the uneven lies and mounding that can be difficult. Most importantly, this course is memorable, from the long par-3 semi-island green sixth to the bunker 15 feet below on the par-5 16th to the "Alcatraz" island green 17th, the holes out here are most memorable. They're also a lot of fun if you can manage them halfway decently. As a bonus, the practice facilities here are excellent and don't miss out on the clubhouse restaurant, Ernie's. Everything on the menu is terrific, especially the Kobe burgers, and it's in a great atmosphere.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Terrible pace of play.

6 hrs to play this course. Marshal did nothing to help speed up the pace. Started at 11:15 finished at 5:15. That’s 1/2 hour per hole. Never had it that slow in 35 years of golf.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Need to play a Pete Dye course every once in a will to see how difficult golf can be.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

PGA Stadium Course La Quinta

Course is brutal but in great shape & so beautiful! Love playing Stadium, wish there were better deals

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Request A Vacation Quote From La Quinta Resort
Please provide your information below and a staff member at La Quinta Resort will be in contact to help you start planning your travel.
Nearby Courses
La Quinta, California
Private
0.0
0
La Quinta, California
Private
4.0
4
La Quinta, California
Public/Resort
4.6191554665
1444
La Quinta, California
Public/Resort
4.5852512672
1173
La Quinta, California
Private
0.0
0
La Quinta, California
Private
2.7142857143
7
La Quinta, California
Private
4.0
4
La Quinta, California
Private
5.0
3
La Quinta, California
Resort/Public
3.8682465956
1975
La Quinta, California
Private
3.5
4
La Quinta, California
Private/Resort
4.5
2
Golf Packages

Best of Indian Wells Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy accommodations at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort, the Tommy Bahama Resort & Spa, the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, or the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa and golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort - Celebrity & Players Courses.

Best of Indian Wells Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy accommodations at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort, the Tommy Bahama Resort & Spa, the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, or the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa and golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort - Celebrity & Players Courses.

The Palm Mountain Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
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

CLICK BELOW
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.
Aviara Golf Club - Hole #18

Aviara Stay & Play Packages

Click Below
SAN DIEGO, CA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa and golf at Aviara Golf Club.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account