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.
Course Details
Rentals & Services
Practice & Instruction
Policies
Available Facilities
Available Sports
Golfer Photos
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Photo submitted by AroundtheHorn on 07/04/2026
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Photo submitted by AroundtheHorn on 07/04/2026
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Photo submitted by AroundtheHorn on 07/04/2026
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Photo submitted by AroundtheHorn on 07/04/2026
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Photo submitted by matpdx on 05/28/2026
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Photo submitted by u314163979566 on 05/28/2026
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Photo submitted by u314163979566 on 05/28/2026
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Photo submitted by u314163979566 on 05/28/2026
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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
Golfer Reviews
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+
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...
Awesome
Awesome course, tough but your rewarded for good shots and punished for bad shots. Great deal at $93
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!
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.
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.
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.
Really fun course
After playing the Nicklaus course in the morning we played the Stadium course in the afternoon. Would believe that the Stadium course edges out as the better course, and this was a super fun and super challenging experience. Hole layouts were really interesting with lots of bunkers and expanding/narrowing fairways. Greens were quite small and required strategic shots to hit; were also very fast. Special thanks to Mark in the pro shop who was very friendly and heled us have a fantastic experience. All around would recommend this great course.
A bucket list must
Well worth the time to play this track if you are anywhere near it.
Stadium
Played the Blues (6739/73.1/140) with Cooper & Al in 4.5 H. Around 90, sunny and calm.
After just having hosted the Career Builder PGA event 2 weeks ago, the course was still in excellent condition.
Most tees were immaculate. Lush and well maintained, only some par 3's needed divot attention.
The fairways were almost perfect. Lush with most divots already repaired.
The dormant Bermuda secondary rough had not been over seeded and was more hit and miss. The over seeded primary rough was thick and lush. The rough around the greens is thick, tough to get it up/down out of thick rough right beside firm/quick greens.
The plentiful sand traps were decently maintained with good quality sand that was thick. The fairway traps were firm and good to play from. Green side traps were more hit/miss, 2 were very good, 1 was thin.
The firm greens putted nice. Medium fast, very consistent and smooth.
The customer service was top notch as usual here. quick efficient check in, helpful starter. cart gal around numerous times. Challenging layout and the conditions were excellent. Definitely recommended.
Closest economical courses to Hermosa Beach worth playing are Los Verdes, an 18 hole municipal course with great ocean views and Terranea, a 9 hole par 3 that is the best par 3 course I have ever played. Those are both within 15 miles of Hermosa. These 2 courses are very close to each other and could easily be played same day.
Another 5 miles away is Trump National if you want to break the bank. It is the only one I am mentioning that I have never played. About 1/2 the people think it's great and the other half think it radically overpriced. Supposed to be tight.
Rancho Park is in W. L.A. (within 30 miles) is an older historic venue that used to host the LA Open back in the day. Most reviews comment on spotty conditions and slow play there however.
Skylinks is the best of the Long Beach courses in my opinion, it is also within 25 miles of Hermosa.
50 miles or so is Angeles National in Sunland, the only Nicklaus course in L.A. County. Above average in layout, condition and price. If you like Nicklaus designs, it is worth a look.
Heading north is by far your best bet to play good courses that are cheap.
Rustic Canyon in Moorpark is very unique, link style and a must play if you are around L.A.
Farther north, Olivas Links in Ventura and River Ridge Lakes in Oxnard are both excellent courses that you can ride mid day for under $50. Both are always in good condition.
I would NOT recommend you go south into Orange County. You will basically double your daily fee compared to the courses I just mentioned, especially the Ventura County courses.
Local courses to avoid include Victoria & Alondra. Both are historically in poor condition.
Hope this assists, hit em well!
Great reviews Nickesquire, it's complete and helpful. BTW, what are you best advices for someone like me who will be visiting Los Angeles next week and would like to play 3 rounds? I'm from Montreal and it's my first visit to L.A.
(I'll be staying in Hermosa Beach).
Thanks a lot!