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
1170 Reviews (1170)
5 Stars
718
4 Stars
313
3 Stars
92
2 Stars
30
1 Stars
17
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
92.7%
Recommend this course
1054 out of 1170 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
55 Reviews (55)
5 Stars
38
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.6
92.7%
Recommend this course
51 out of 55 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
95 Reviews (95)
5 Stars
69
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.6
91.6%
Recommend this course
87 out of 95 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
1170 Reviews (1170)

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 20
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Rough

The staff was very friendly. Even had a gentleman bring water around to us 3 times. The rough was very deep and we lost 6 golf balls by the rough enveloping our ball. The green were in good shape but uncut and very slow. Would love to play this course when it is in better shape. Not worth the money they are charging right now!

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Took My Punishment

Just finished a history book on Q-School. It was pretty cool to experience some of the horror stories I read about in the book as top level players were competing for the coveted PGA Tour Card on this course. I had my second worst round ever. I somehow found each and every area the thorough starter warned us about. Instead of being upset, I embraced the experience. I figured you do not get to experience it if you do not go there. I really got a sense of the designers (Jack) thoughts on rewards and punishments. I did somehow get out of the famous 16th hole 19 foot bunker on one shot. Again, you do not get to experience that unless you go down there. The staff from the pro shop, the starter, the cart crew, the range (Trackman) and the restaurant were all top notch. Thanks for a humbling experience. I'll be back someday for a better score.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 27
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nicklaus Tournament Course

Unfortunately, the course was getting ready for overseed shutdown, so fairways, rough and tee boxes were brownish. Greens were very furry. Still had a wonderful experience on a terrific track. I’ll be back, but not in early October.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Course!

You'll love the staff. They are all friendly and professional. The course layout is great and is pretty challenging. The greens are very protected on the front and sides, so don't be short. Because of the time of year and the reseeding going on, the course was just a bit brown but still manicured perfectly. I definitely recommend playing this one.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 169
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 30
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice course!

This is definitely a spoil yourself kind of golf course and clubhouse. It’s a step above almost any clubhouse and amenities!

I was paired with a husband and wife. He was major negative and not a good player. Took his emotions to every hole. She was a delight to be around and played good golf. It’s tough to be around a golfer that wears his long face, comments and negativity to every hole. So what should have been a great first time experience for me at this course, was not so much. Certainly not the fault of the golf course. I’ll be back here to play again and if I get someone like this again, I’ll just go on ahead without him.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 32
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 31
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
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Best ever!

Great place excellent golf with friends! Green was a bit slow but can’t complain about course conditions. Beautiful scenery and feel like playing like a pro!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Great day at PGA West Tournament Course

I arrived early and the starter let me tee off early as a single. Course was in good shape and all staff members were very friendly and helpful. My golf cart's battery died and the get me a new one fully stock with water and ice within a few minutes. I would recommend this course to everyone.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Call Before Making a Reservation

Played PGA West Nicolas on 9/16/23. Their website did not mention that the greens were sanded and the rough uncut. If you are a scratch golfer you will probably be fine. If you miss the fairway the rough is so thick even if you have a basic idea where it landed you can kiss the ball goodbye. I find it very dishonest not to advertise on their website the poor conditions of their course. They even warned us that the conditions were bad. Thanks for nothing. Traveled 3 hours to get there and prepaid for the round.

Do yourself a favor and make sure the course is properly prepared especially early season. If the greens are sandy and the rough has not be cut stay away if you like your balls.

Unhappy golfer.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 31
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
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
1.0
Previously Played

Worse than your muni.

Abominable greens for a PGA WEST theoretically signature venue. Give it a few months save your money.

Greens were like when you were 14 and had whiteheads everywhere and no girls wanted to touch you.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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