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
1181 Reviews (1181)
5 Stars
726
4 Stars
315
3 Stars
93
2 Stars
30
1 Stars
17
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
92.1%
Recommend this course
1064 out of 1181 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
61 Reviews (61)
5 Stars
44
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.7
93.4%
Recommend this course
57 out of 61 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
92 Reviews (92)
5 Stars
67
4 Stars
18
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.7
91.3%
Recommend this course
84 out of 92 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
The Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West delivers immaculate tee boxes, true-rolling greens, and first-rate fairways that consistently impress visiting golfers. Friendly staff and outstanding course amenities make this a rewarding and memorable round at exceptional value.

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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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
1181 Reviews (1181)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 24
Patio Dining 24
19th Hole Scenic Views 18
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 46
Water Hazards 36
Forced Carries 22
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 40
A Weekend Splurge 21
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 15
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 24
At a Resort 15
Convenient to the City 11

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 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
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great round while I was in town

We made a quick trip into town to visit a family member. My son and I decided to play a round of golf instead of sitting around the house all day. We both enjoyed the experience at pga west. The staff was very friendly and accommodating since we needed rental clubs. The clubs were great quality (Taylormade). I plan on playing there next time I’m in town. Once again I was very impressed by the friendliness of the entire staff at pga west. Thank you

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

PGA west nick tourn

Course was superb. People playing the course should have chosen the correct tees to play from. Pace of play was slower than should have been.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0

Good course

Good course even in the summer. Don't play here and book through golf now if your solo though. Most other courses don't care but this place will claim your partner is a no show and charge you twice. Pretty scummy but I guess that's on me for thinking they'd do what all the other courses I've booked that say 2-4 do and call it good. That's what I get for not having friends

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

PGA west Nicklaus

The layout is great, greens where in ok condition(slow) No GPS in the carts, makes hard to know yardages. Sand in bunkers sometimes great other times almost no sand. Grass clippings all over the course, looks unclean.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Excellent

Had the course to ourselves on a Monday, was amazing. This course was worth the money for our golf trip, even in summer weather here. The pace of play and course layout were the true winners here, super fun. Would absolutely love to come back here.

Restaurant and everything else is over the top expensive as to be expected but staff were on top of things.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Loved 😍

I heard that this golf course is difficult for beginners. But I went there to gain experience, and I played the best golf I‘ve ever played that day and got a good score. It’s a memorable golf course and I‘ll go back in the fall.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great condition, probably the best we've played on our ttrip. Challenging but fair. We are coming back to try to get back a few strikes!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
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
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Review

The course was in good summer condition as patchy spots are present. No GPS in carts. Hard to determine distance as in the past the course had GPS in golf cart. Fire ants are an issue, especially on hole 13. Got bitten a lot due to high grass in some areas.

The course should be priced lower due to summer conditions and not many playing.

Should be priced around $35 for summer play.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

fun course, great staff, just hot (for now)

This was my first time playing the Nicklaus course. Beautiful layout, plenty of challengeing holes and approach shots guarded by sand or water. I thought the course was in great condition outside of greens a little slow from the heat ... but it's the offseason and 113 degree heat has an effect. Staff was great, appreciated us being out there and made sure everyone had water, was ok with pace of play.

Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Golfing in the Heat

The course was supper fun and in great condition considering it was July in 115 degree weather. Course staff would come by with cool mango scented towels, ice and bottled waters. Definitely would come back and play it again.

Fugi

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Play the Bear If You Dare

Great course with some really nice picturesque holes. Course is loaded with bunkers so accuracy is key. Course in very good shape for the time of year. Some great holes including 9, 12, 15 & 18. Always a treat to play at this PGA Tour course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Beautiful Course

Although this was “off peak season” the course was in great condition but, the greens were mixed speed but mostly slow. The aeration that was recently done caused some “bouncing” of the ball as it rolled, throwing off it’s trajectory, I’d still play this course again, worth it.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

awesome course

first time in palm springs for golf. super awesome course. fun time playing despite the heat. staff was super nice and informative and always looking to help you stay cool. offering ice and water any chance possible. they looked happy to be there.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

No GPS - not right

Why the gold carts don't have GPS is beyond understanding. This is a very difficult and exclusive course and no GPS....that's not right

You end up driving balls into lakes because you can't judge it or in some cases cannot see it.

A GPS is a must

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 27
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Very accommodating staff and great course

The staff was very accommodating. I showed up to the course 2 hrs early and they moved my tee time up 1 hr and 15 minutes without any questions. course was in very good condition considering the course is in transition from the bent grass to is summer bermuda grass. Always have enjoyed this challenging course.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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