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
1130 Reviews (1130)
5 Stars
690
4 Stars
303
3 Stars
90
2 Stars
30
1 Stars
17
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
91.7%
Recommend this course
1016 out of 1130 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
30 Reviews (30)
5 Stars
24
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.5
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.8
StaffFriendliness
4.6
90.0%
Recommend this course
27 out of 30 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
102 Reviews (102)
5 Stars
76
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.7
90.2%
Recommend this course
92 out of 102 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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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
1130 Reviews (1130)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great Experience

Course was not in pristine condition, but cannot expect that in the middle of summer. (6/27/23) challenging course, but ample landing areas in the fairway. Greens were not overly difficult. Fair challenge. Would play again.

As for the service we received. 5Star all the way around! From the bag drop, pro shop, starter, and the Marshalls who checked in on us every few holes to make sure we we doing ok. Never any pressure. Very courteous and professional staff! I wish our club had this type of professionalism.

If you get the opportunity, play here. I believe you will enjoy it.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Summer Conditions

The course always is a challenge. Elevated greens, 10/15 Foot Rise and Fall around the greens. Greens were not good. Not worth the money. Traps are hard pan. The depth of the traps require a blast shot that’s impossible off hard pan.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course conditions

A little rough in patches, however greens rolled true.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 42
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

First time playing this course

The Staff is awesome! The course was in great shape. A few greens were showing signs from the heat, but still rolled true.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great open layout

Like to drive a ball? It’s for you

Island greens on par 5 excellent!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Hot weather
Used cart

Poor green conditions

I was looking forward to playing this legendary course. I was disappointed to see the greens in bad shape with bald spots, long grass, and extremely slow speeds. Bunkers also needed some care as they were very hard and compact. Hopefully the other PGA west courses are not in similar condition. Otherwise fun, very challenging layout.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 42
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

First time to play this course

Wide fairways made it enjoyable and kept play fast. Greens had some damage but still in good shape. Staff is awesome!

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Worse than expected

The ranger was very unkind and push us too much even there were no other groups.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 42
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

PGA West first time.

Greens were a disappointment. Sand traps could use more sand.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 218
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Slow Greens

The overall course was fantastic. The only issue I had was the speed if the greens…..we fought to get the ball to the hole the entire round.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

greens really out of shape

we were there 6/11 and the greens were in bad shape, alot of dry bald spots. the course looked quite empty but they squeezed in back to back tee times, and the four some behind us were constantly on our backs.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
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