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PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course

4.6
1115 Reviews (1115)
PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament
A view of a green with water coming into play at PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.

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4.6
1115 Reviews (1115)
5 Stars
680
4 Stars
300
3 Stars
90
2 Stars
29
1 Stars
16
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
Tooltip Information Icon
92.9%
Recommend this course
1003 out of 1115 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
36 Reviews (36)
5 Stars
28
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.5
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.7
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.7
88.9%
Recommend this course
32 out of 36 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
143 Reviews (143)
5 Stars
108
4 Stars
26
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.7
92.3%
Recommend this course
132 out of 143 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Public/Resort
Par 72
Length 7204 yards
Slope 143
Rating 75.3

The Golden Bear tests you with tabletop fairways at PGA WEST - Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course in La Quinta.

If your shot's too wild, it's rolling up, often down into the desert. That's just one bit of the showmanship at the Jack Nicklaus Tournament course. This was designed to hold a PGA event, but it's spent its days delivering damage and fun to regular hackers.

Nicklaus particularly tests your short game with his bunkering around the greens. Confidence in your wedge shots is crucial here. Still, it's not as tough and unforgiving as Pete Dye's Stadium Course or even Greg Norman's course.

It's possible to get lost in the scenery at the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course and there's plenty of scenery to go around with the desert brush and the mountains looming in the distance.

No. 15 is probably the most well known - and notorious - hole. Nicknamed "Long Island," it's pretty much that: a daunting 572 yard par five with an island green. The fairway's split, giving you a chance to pick your path. Either way you go, getting onto the green in two is oh but a dream.

"Nicklaus also abundantly uses non-traditional design features throughout the course to give the track its own unique flavor," TravelGolf.com's Jeffrey Rendall said. "In many ways, I don't think I've seen another course quite like it."

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PGA West - Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course
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Satellite Layout
Tees
Tee Par Length Rating Slope
Black 72 7204 yards 75.3 143
Black (W) 72 7204 yards 81.9 151
Blue 72 6522 yards 72.2 134
Blue (W) 72 6522 yards 78.2 142
Blue/White 72 6224 yards 70.8 130
Blue/White (W) 72 6224 yards 76.4 138
White 72 6061 yards 70.0 128
White (W) 72 6061 yards 75.4 136
Gold 72 5627 yards 68.1 122
Gold (W) 72 5627 yards 73.1 131
Gold/Red 72 5325 yards 66.5 117
Gold/Red (W) 72 5325 yards 71.5 123
Red (W) 72 5023 yards 70.1 120
Red 72 5023 yards 64.9 113
Silver 72 4014 yards 60.5 101
Silver (W) 72 4014 yards 63.8 111
Track Rounds
Scorecard
Scorecard for Nicklaus Tournament
Metrics:
Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Black M: 75.3/143 W: 81.9/151 412 444 192 549 364 462 527 172 461 3583 370 528 188 419 442 572 440 209 453 3621 7204
Black/Blue M: 73.8/139 W: 80.0/146 412 398 163 549 364 420 527 143 431 3407 370 528 164 378 442 516 423 209 431 3461 6868
Blue M: 72.2/134 W: 78.2/142 378 398 163 505 320 420 471 143 431 3229 330 490 164 378 381 516 423 180 431 3293 6522
Blue/White M: 70.8/130 W: 76.4/138 349 398 163 505 320 386 471 132 383 3107 330 490 155 338 381 472 368 180 403 3117 6224
White M: 70.0/128 W: 75.4/136 349 387 155 482 299 386 450 132 383 3023 318 480 155 338 339 472 368 165 403 3038 6061
White/Gold M: 69.1/125 W: 74.3/134 349 387 155 482 288 373 450 125 340 2949 318 480 116 323 339 462 348 165 388 2939 5888
Gold M: 68.1/122 W: 73.1/131 311 354 133 447 288 373 426 125 340 2797 283 449 116 323 330 462 348 131 388 2830 5627
Gold/Red M: 66.5/117 W: 71.5/123 311 322 133 414 288 342 426 125 335 2696 283 400 116 323 330 417 304 97 359 2629 5325
Red M: 64.9/113 W: 70.1/120 273 322 120 414 225 342 391 92 335 2514 232 400 104 295 301 417 304 97 359 2509 5023
Red/Silver M: 62.4/106 W: 66.7/115 218 249 119 414 225 281 391 92 268 2257 232 400 104 241 237 417 234 97 267 2229 4486
Silver M: 60.5/101 W: 63.8/111 218 249 119 322 173 281 328 74 268 2032 195 318 102 241 237 303 234 85 267 1982 4014
Handicap 5 11 15 13 1 7 17 9 3 14 18 10 8 16 2 6 12 4
Par 4 4 3 5 4 4 5 3 4 36 4 5 3 4 4 5 4 3 4 36 72
Handicap (W) 9 13 17 1 5 7 11 15 3 14 10 16 8 12 2 6 18 4

Course Details

Year Built 1987
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Jack Nicklaus (1987) Rick Jacobson Thomas Pearson (1987)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
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, MC, AMEX, Discover
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code No denim, collared shirt and bermuda shorts required.

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities

Available Sports

Fitness, Tennis

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in California (2019 #30) (2014 #24)
  • Golf Advisor: Top 25 Off-course amenities in the U.S. (2019 #15)
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Reviews

4.6
1115 Reviews (1115)

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Recommended
Handicap
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Default User Avatar
mavverick
Played On
Reviews 4
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 Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u000002367479
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

One of the most beautiful courses you will ever play

The greens were not as fast as they have been in the past, but impeccably smooth and true, as always. Fairways, tee boxes, scenery, and everything else about the Tournament course is absolutely first rate.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 09/22/2025:
We really appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to know you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working to make every experience just as good.
Default User Avatar
marcmedcal
Played On
Reviews 11
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
quanhuali
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Conditions are great

Very good courses. But green is too difficult, soo hard to read the line when you are the first time play in here.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 09/19/2025:
We really appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to know you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working to make every experience just as good.
Default User Avatar
GoodwinK2
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Awesome conditions and value!!

One of the best values in the desert! Always a pleasure to play this challenging Tournament course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 09/15/2025:
Thank you for the awesome review! We're so glad to hear you had a great experience and look forward to having you back again.
Default User Avatar
Fred3859580
Played On
Reviews 3
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
Default User Avatar
Blagamaniac
Played On
Reviews 39
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Bad review posted by mistake

This is a great course all around. I highly recommend it. The bad review associated with my profile was meant for PGA West Mountain course but Golf Now's policies do not allow me to delete or amend a review. If you are reading this I highly recommend the Nicklaus, Player, & Stadium courses over the Mountain & Dunes courses that PGA West has to offer.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Response from on 09/08/2025:
We really appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to know you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working to make every experience just as good.
Default User Avatar
Blagamaniac
Played On
Reviews 39
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Not average golfer friendly

This is already an incredibly difficult course made almost impossible to play by the rough. Very thick rough that consumes the ball. I lost 3 balls on the front nine that landed no more than 5 yards off the fairway. Impossible to find without a spotter. I recommend calling the course before booking to see if the rough has been trimmed to a level where you don't need a spotter to find the ball. The bunkers and greens were OK, but for this price point I expected better. For the average golfer wanting a PGA West experience, I would recommend that you play the Gary Player or Jack Nicklaus courses.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Response from on 09/05/2025:
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. We’re sorry to hear your experience wasn’t what it should have been. Your feedback is important, and we’re working to make things better.
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/05/2025

For those of you reading this review, it was meant for the Mountain Course. Golf Now has dropped the ball on my being able to correct the mistake. I have been trying to correct this since I hit the send button. Shame on Golf now.

Default User Avatar
fashnsho
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A lot of fun

Great shape and fun to play. The rough and off fairway are challenging. Watch your ball because they can be lost easily in front of your eyes. Had a great day. Golf shop has everything and the drinks at the bar are great. Take some time to look around because there is a lot of history to take in. Staff was first class. Will go again

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 09/06/2025:
We’re thrilled you had such a great experience! Thanks for the support — we’ll be here ready to welcome you back for another great round.
Default User Avatar
u314164184072
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Blagamaniac
Played On
Reviews 39
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Great Challenging Course

It's the middle of summer and this course is in pristine condition. Great time to get a good deal on a course you would want to play every week. Pick the appropriate tees as the slope on this course is much higher than average. This means that the white tees here play like the blue tees at the average course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
killer481
Played On
Reviews 36
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

PGA West Nicklaus

Awesome course, terrific staff. Made finishing up a great vacation.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
cdavalos4
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
rdking27
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
golfereddie
Played On
Reviews 17
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 Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Jzomorean1
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

johngmo

Wonderful course. Very challenging but fair and the course was in great shape. The fairways were like carpet, didn't want to hurt them.

Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Response from on 08/08/2025:
We really appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to know you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working to make every experience just as good.
Default User Avatar
DirtyJoe88
Played On
Reviews 18
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 Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
golfereddie
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
u000007664668
Played On
Reviews 14
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
mabasone
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
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