PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament
A view of a green with water coming into play at PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
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
92.9%
Recommend this course
1003 out of 1115 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
33 Reviews (33)
5 Stars
26
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.5
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.7
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.7
90.9%
Recommend this course
30 out of 33 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
138 Reviews (138)
5 Stars
104
4 Stars
25
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.7
92.0%
Recommend this course
127 out of 138 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."

Book a Tee Time at
PGA West - Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course
Powered by GolfNow.com

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)
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

4.6
1115 Reviews (1115)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Fun course

Fairways were excellent. Rough was inconsistent, very deep and thick in some spots, thin and short in others. Bunkers were not as nice as they typically are, could use more sand. Greens were only OK. Love the course layout. Very tricky around the greens, especially if you miss in the wrong spot.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful day, fun course,

Played for my first time, my wife played and a single( guy from Australia, good golfer) the course was great, my wife, very casual golfer played great, .... the foursome in front 20-30 somethings , playing from black tees (probably 20+ hdcp) were all over the place, so we waited alot, otherwise great, but would have been nice if there was a marshall, surprised there wasn't.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Horrible pace of play and bad green condition

The group in front of us were just messing around, even a resident that drove up on us , told us to call the marshal. The marshal was there and didn’t say anything to them. This cause the round to go 51/2 hours which is ridiculous. The greens were punch and the staff didn’t let us know when we booked the tee times. When we got there, the starter told that 5 holes were cart path only. The fairways should have been better also. This is pretty bad when you’re paying $170 per round per person. The biggest part of golf is the greens and the greens were horrible. It would have been better if the expectations would have been set with us when we made reservation for tee times. Overall experience is horrible.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Hot Summer Deals & Course Condition Trade Offs

Overall a very fun course. The people and the amenities are great. From chipping to putting and range…all top notch. The fairways were a bit over played and some rough areas. With 100+ temps, bunkers were more cement than sand. Greens had been punched recently adding to degree of difficulty for smooth roll.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 26
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

African while golfing

Everything was good until I made the turn, the amateur I was playing with not to mention she was beating the breaks off of me at -2 to +5, had her mother putting tees where the pin placement is going to be for the tourney. A marshal rolled up and asked are you all good do you need some water, we replied no and he rolled off, we both got a par and headed to the carts, back rolled the marshal saying hey you you are not supposed to be playing, I said they moved me up 9 minutes to join the 12:00 group, he replied you are not supposed to be playing, I said I paid to play 18 holes and I’m playing 18 holes, I turned and headed to put my putter on my separate cart, so he turned to my partners mother and said the same thing, she told him she was just marking the pin placements, he asked did her did you pay to play, she said no, he said your not supposed to be on the golf courses, she said I always do this, then he told her she needed to stay on the cart, so I proceeded back and asked him where did he get I’m not support be playing from and I have a bag and a cart, he then said I don’t know, it shows yall group a 3some and you’re not support be playing, I said you’re not making any sense, I then said I know what this is about about three times and proceeded to the next tee. I think he associated me being an eastern Indian and assumed I was the amateur’s father, because we were the same color. Which isn’t cool at all! 4 hole later he comes back around asking do you all need water are you sure???

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

Don’t hesitate…

5 star experience all the way around. Great condition. Great round. Worth the cost of admission.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
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 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

It’s very difficult course than PGA West Greg Norman course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
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 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Perfect day

This is not my first visit at Nicklaus course

It is always an amazing day

Course is in great shape

We payed in under 4 hours witch is à great pace

And on a personal note I made 2 birdies

So all in all à perfect day

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 05/09/2025:
Thank you for the wonderful five-star review! It’s fantastic to hear you had a great experience, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for another memorable round.
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

$28 for 1 ham sandwich

We purchased 1 ham sandwich from cart girl at approximately 12:15. $10 for sandwich + $2 tip for total of $12, yet MY VISA WAS CHARGED $28???

No one has returned my calls!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A little disappointed in the overall condition and grooming

Sand bunkers were not well maintained.

Driving range tees was in poor shape

Was not impressed with the expected condition

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
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 Good
Request A Vacation Quote From La Quinta Resort
Please provide your information below and a staff member at La Quinta Resort will be in contact to help you start planning your travel.
Nearby Courses
La Quinta, California
Private
2.7619142857
4
La Quinta, California
Private
5.0
3
La Quinta, California
Public/Resort
4.4775096472
1374
La Quinta, California
Private
2.7619142857
4
La Quinta, California
Public/Resort
4.4825029771
1156
La Quinta, California
Private
0.0
0
La Quinta, California
Private
0.0
0
La Quinta, California
Private
0.0
0
La Quinta, California
Private
2.7619142857
4
La Quinta, California
Private
5.0
2
La Quinta, California
Private
2.7143
7
La Quinta, California
Semi-Private
4.5176470588
85
Golf Packages

Best of Indian Wells Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy accommodations at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort, or the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa & Spa and golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort - Celebrity & Players Courses.

Best of Indian Wells Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy accommodations at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort, or the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa and golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort - Celebrity & Players Courses.

Desert Golf Around Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at Westin Rancho Mirage and 3 rounds of golf at Westin Rancho Mirage - Pete Dye Course, Mission Hills North - Gary Player Signature Course, and Indian Wells Resort.

The Palm Mountain Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at Palm Mountain Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, Indian Canyons – North Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.

The Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account