PGA West Greg Norman Course: #17
A view from tee #17 at PGA West Greg Norman Course
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4.5
1360 Reviews (1360)
5 Stars
803
4 Stars
355
3 Stars
104
2 Stars
62
1 Stars
36
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.2
91.2%
Recommend this course
1189 out of 1360 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
58 Reviews (58)
5 Stars
46
4 Stars
12
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.9
Value
4.6
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
100.0%
Recommend this course
58 out of 58 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
152 Reviews (152)
5 Stars
96
4 Stars
39
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
6
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.1
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.6
91.4%
Recommend this course
139 out of 152 reviews
Read Reviews
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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+
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10 rounds of waived fees
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$120 in tee time credits
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Tee Time Protection
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Reviews

4.5
1360 Reviews (1360)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Don't waste your money!

This course is not worth the money. There were no rangers on the course and the pace was terrible. There was a group that was 2 groups ahead. They were hitting multiple balls, not playing ready golf and there was no body out there to correct the situation. I would not recommend this course to anyone - especially at the price. Further, a tee time of 1:39 on this day should have been a twilight time. With normal pace of play at 4:15, this time would not allow completion of the course by sundown - a ripoff!!

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great course, excellent condition

Considering the hot weather lately the course was in excellent condition. I had never played the course before but had watched some YouTube on it and was concerned that it might play tight to the houses. It did not, the landing areas were very wide and I had my low round of the trip here. Great course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

First time playing and will be back

I really enjoyed playing the course. Clearly time of year is excellent. Weather was outstanding and the course played very well. I am looking forward to playing the other courses at PGA West in the near future.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Must play!

Very fun course. Not for the faint of heart! Definitely target golf nearing the green as the bunkers surrounding them are wicked.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 28
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fair & Fast

Played this course late afternoon and we were only able to get in 9 holes before sunset. Fairways were running and the greens were true and fast. Staff was incredibly gracious and accommodating - a must play for every avid golf fan!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 44
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Five star service

Typical resort course with five star service. Easy fairways off the tee. Stay down the middle. Challenging greens. Fairway grass is very wiry and favors a trap shot. Sweepers will have fits...

Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Pace of play

I thought Norman course was better managed than what I experienced. Didn’t see a ranger until the 9th hole and was told we were 25 minutes behind yet did nothing to speed play.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Incredible course and great staff

The course was incredibly well maintained. I was the second tee time of the day. I wish I would have had a little more time to spend on the range and beautiful practice facilities. That said the course played really well! The greens were some of the best I have played. I will be back and look forward to playing some of the other PGA West courses in the coming weeks.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 44
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Five star staff, 3 star course

Typical resort course. Drive through tons of homes. Easy fairways to hit off the tee. Stay down the middle on next shot. Challenging greens. Fairways favor a trap shot. If you are a sweeper, you're dead....wiry grass will catch your club every time... Pace was miserable - had to wait on group ahead every shot. EVERY shot. People behind waiting on us so you feel pressured. Sometimes 2 groups ahead waiting. Weekday? 231 starts - "busiest day ever." Was merciful that we didn't finish. Best part was the staff -- they're fantastic! Courteous, professional, friendly, helpful. Probably a decent course for people who pay the big bucks and tee off at 8am...

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A fair test with deep fairway bunkers to penalize off track shots

Real and fair test of golf - course might not have been at its very best but was most enjoyable!

Mild undulations and inclined to roll towards the water but generous fairway width.

Mostly large greens that were true and running at ten speed.

My criticism and that of fellow players was that we had no opportunity to complete the round at a 3.18pm tee time- slow play (41/2 hr expected) and poor light ( from sunsetting behind mountains) had us finish 14 holes !!

Slow play should be monitored and late Tee times restricted!

Later Tee times should be allowed with the course giving much reduced fees and clearly stipulating that groups will be unable to finish.

I would play the course again !

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Slowest round of golf ever

The golf course itself is fantastic. But I’ve never, in 30 years of playing, had a slower round of golf. We started at 1:00. We made the turn at 3:45. We played the last 3 holes in the dark and ended at 6:45. They do nothing to keep the pace reasonable. I was planning to play here twice during my trip, but canceled my second tee-time. The staff here should get a clue that THEY control the pace of play. If they don’t do it, golf is not enjoyable for any of their guests. They should refund me the $220.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Windy weather
Used cart

Over booked

I was playing as a single, and paired up with some really great guys from Scotland. The only t-time available was at 1:00 pm. The staff assured me that was plenty of time. It was not. We waited and waited on every hole. The front 9 took 2 hours & 45 minutes. We saw the marshal once on the front. He apologized for the slow pace and said they were fully booked. The back 9 was no better. We got done at 6:40 in the dark. Not only was the pace slow, but the beverage cart came around once on the front 9 holes, and stops serving at 4:00… so we didn’t see her at all on the back 9. At over $200 per round of golf, this was a real disappointment. I’ve never had such a slow round of golf.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

I would return

Only real downside was no GPS in the carts. For out of towners it’s not a deal breaker but not everyone brings a scope or their golf watch. Regardless it was nice overal. The golf carts are low key fast. Loved them and so did my sons.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Excellent experience

Very enjoyable course in great condition. Tricky greens but fair. Great layout for any handicap.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun, but very slow.

Fun course, pace of play was extremely slow. 5 hour rounds and constant waiting at Tee boxes.

The course has a fun set up and the conditions were solid, but the greens were slower than anticipated.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 19
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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