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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4.5
1197 Reviews (1197)
5 Stars
761
4 Stars
273
3 Stars
96
2 Stars
41
1 Stars
26
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.6
91.3%
Recommend this course
1058 out of 1197 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
41 Reviews (41)
5 Stars
33
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.3
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.9
95.1%
Recommend this course
39 out of 41 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
90 Reviews (90)
5 Stars
61
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.7
90.0%
Recommend this course
81 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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GolfPass Member Pricing
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Tee Time Protection

Reviews

4.5
1197 Reviews (1197)

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 27
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Exceeded Expectations

The course challenges you like only Dye can! Course conditions were great from tee to green. From the tee boxes, many of the holes have you trying to steer the ball vs swing freely. So many hazards await a wayward tee shot. Green speed was about 10.5 and they all rolled true. Being that the greens are still fairly new, they were tough to hold with mid and long irons. A very tough test to say the least, but I will find my way back.

Pro shop was well stocked and the staff was helpful and engaging.

The practice facilities were large and well conditioned. With time, you could really work all aspects of your game.

I found a great deal on GolfNow teeing off just before 2pm. It was a Hot Deal for $160 and I was paired with 3 others. With the sun falling behind the mountains, we had just enough time to get all 18 in.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Walked
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice course but slow

It is really good course, but management is poor and the play was delayed.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times 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 Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Terrible pace of play

5h20 to complete 18 holes. Tons of groups spending time as if they’re playing on the PGA only to shank a shot or 3 putt. Marshall was useless and told us to take more time to make space (yeah great idea. Punish everyone behind us even more!) and refused to admonish the slow group of amateurs using Aim Point at every hole… I guess he did not hear of etiquette and the basic rules of golf. Not only that, some genius accountant brilliantly decided to book a corporate competition of 12-14 foursomes who thought they were in the Ryder Cup without telling regular visitors. Nice touch for a $600-700 green fee. Horrendous.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Very well run

I had an early am tee time. Pace of play was awesome: four hours precisely for our threesome. Course conditions were great, though greens were firmer than I would expect especially for morning. Holding a shot on famed 17th was an extra difficult challenge. Ernie’s for lunch was fantastic. One note: I picked up my clubs post round with no oversight or security. Made me a bit concerned about their safety.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
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 1
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 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Immaculate

This course is an absolute treat, pristine shape, even the driving range is perfect.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
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
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Golf Packages

Best of Indian Wells Package

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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

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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

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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.

Aviara Stay & Play Package

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SAN DIEGO, CA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa and golf at Aviara Golf Club.
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