PGA West Greg Norman Course: #17
A view from tee #17 at PGA West Greg Norman Course
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4.6
1440 Reviews (1440)
5 Stars
864
4 Stars
370
3 Stars
108
2 Stars
62
1 Stars
36
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.4
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.3
93.0%
Recommend this course
1264 out of 1440 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
68 Reviews (68)
5 Stars
53
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.7
95.6%
Recommend this course
65 out of 68 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
116 Reviews (116)
5 Stars
90
4 Stars
22
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.5
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.7
95.7%
Recommend this course
111 out of 116 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Course conditions consistently impress, with carpet-like fairways, immaculate bunkers, and quick true-rolling greens that rival top-tier courses. Attentive staff from the bag team to the starter deliver a welcoming, efficiently run round from start to finish.
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PGA West - Greg Norman Golf Course

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Resort
Par 72
Length 7156 yards
Slope 139
Rating 75.1

The Shark's turned in what's widely regarded as the second-toughest course at PGA WEST - Greg Norman Course in La Quinta.

No small feat considering the developers of the neighboring TPC Stadium ordered Pete Dye to make it, "the hardest damn golf course in the world."

"There's a difference," said Jack Guevera, a golfer who's played both. "You might think you have it easy if you play the Norman after the Stadium .... But probably not."

Here's the difference: Dye tries to kill you at TPC Stadium. Norman only wants to beat you to a pulp.

Not that pummeling does not have its highlights. Norman's 216-yard, par-3 13th is the kind of hole that seizes your attention and lingers in memory after the round.

What little fairway there is curves around toward a man-made lake. It is also tilted down on a sharp angle to the water, giving the golfer the effect of hitting along a ledge.

Each shot is a tap dance here. You could not even get odds in Vegas on your chances of avoiding all of the deep, slanted bunkers that squeeze the mini fairway even tighter.

"Greg Norman wants you to choke," TravelGolf.com West Coast Bureau Chief Chris Baldwin said. "The supremely-talented, enthrallingly-entertaining golfer cursed to be forever remembered for his excruciating collapses wants the average hacker to experience just a taste of this misery."

Course Details

Year Built 1999
Fairways Tiftdwarf Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Greg Norman (1999) Matthew Dusenberry (1999) Tad Burnett (1999)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
GPS No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes
Practice Hole Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Visa, MC, AMEX, Discover
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code No denim, collared shirt and bermuda shorts required.

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities, Banquet Facilities

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
1440 Reviews (1440)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 28
Patio Dining 26
19th Hole Scenic Views 14
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 67
Water Hazards 41
Undulating Greens 38
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 48
A Weekend Splurge 40
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 31
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 38
Convenient to the City 22
At a Resort 19

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 20
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Would love to play again…

My only complaint was the cost of the round ($200 person), since the course hadn’t been over seeded yet it wasn’t in the best condition, very dry. I’d happily pay that after they over seed. Very pricey compared to other courses we played in the area. With that said, it was a fun course. The staff was very friendly and we were paired with a member who was super helpful and a lot of fun. The restaurant even stayed open a little late for us to eat after our round. Overall a good experience! Look forward to playing there again in better conditions, just bad timing. I’m giving an excellent rating because I know it can be- just was overpriced for the conditions.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Difficult, but fair... in great condition

This time of year all the nice courses in the desert are over $100, but they really treat you well here. Free water, some towels to use, and free range access. The course was great and I really appreciate that we weren't restricted to cart paths only. Just be ready because the sun goes down early down in PGA West

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Greg Norman PGA West

Starter told us course was upgraded with $7 million in improvements. IMHO the course was better last year before this. It seemed it wasn't overseeded this year. Tees were in poor shape.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Upgrades worth it

Love the revamp of the course and the new greens.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
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 Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course when in lush green conditions

This wasn’t my first time playing the course but it felt different and played a little different as the my recently changed the greens. It wasn’t playing as soft and now I’d say play it short and let it run up on approach shots. It’s end of Oct but the course wasn’t in as good of shape as it was last year in early Nov when I played it last but nevertheless played nice overall and it’s a fun track for sure

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 30
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Shark Bites

Our family golf trip to the desert started with a challenging round at PGA WEST Norman. Number One eases you into the day with a wide open fairway and a forgiving green, but everything becomes much more challenging from there. Most greens are elevated and protected with deep bunkers. Approach shots must be well executed and precise to the right segment of each green. The tee shots aren't as intimidating or difficult as we were warned. The trouble all comes into play on the approach to the hole. Bring your best short game and be ready to scramble to save your score. Norman is a fair test.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a year
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Stay Out of the Dirt!

So the course is really well designed, alot of fun to play....just make sure you really factor in bunker locations to your shot choice, on this course in particular. My ball seemed to have a magnet for sand....more than once I was 8' deep in a sandpit looking up at an 85° wall that was 3-5' above my head. Didn't seem to have that shot in my arsenal at the time, so I will be working on that one ASAP. ALSO, stay in the fairway, hitting out of the desert dirt makes for some interesting lies & requires some unique & clever (at times ballsy) shotmaking. Pace of play was excellent, didn't see a course marshall go by my entire round. If you don't get off course by dusk, make sure you have a proper flashlight with you....the coyotes come out as soon as it gets dark.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 35
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Good course in great condition.

Course is not too difficult for average players. Can be made more challenging by playing the longer tees. Course was busy and play was a little slow but tolerable.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Couldn’t make it

We had a family emergency my 90 year old mother is in the hospital with heart problem.

Was wondering how to recoup any of the fee. I did call the course and cancel.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Walked

Nice course. Great pro shop. Sufficiently challenging.

Played here on a work event. Really nice course. Well maintained. PGA-grade course but not so difficult for high handicappers to enjoy themselves. All staff was very helpful and the drink cart was there whenever we needed to hydrate.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The renovation is wonderful!

Loved the renovation work on the Norman Course @ PGA West! What you see is what get. Greens were hard to hold and oh so fast! Course knowledge is helpful as you can hit some good shots that you think are on the green and they willl not even be close. Kicked my behind, but enjoyed the beating!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Syl ontario

Nice shape greens were fast than they looked

Took 9 holes to figure out pace.

Would return for sure.

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