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PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course

4.6
1181 Reviews (1181)
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
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92.1%
Recommend this course
1064 out of 1181 reviews
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Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
60 Reviews (60)
5 Stars
43
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.7
93.3%
Recommend this course
56 out of 60 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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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
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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Recommended
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Default User Avatar
Jsmtexan
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
Default User Avatar
coach7980
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
Default User Avatar
u000004113152
Played On
Reviews 5
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
Default User Avatar
ksoghomonian
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
Default User Avatar
Jsmtexan
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
Default User Avatar
heungmuk
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
Default User Avatar
Jsmtexan
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
Default User Avatar
u314163611253
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
Default User Avatar
jkighawk
Played On
Reviews 221
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
Default User Avatar
gaddington
Played On
Reviews 7
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
Default User Avatar
u314161959403
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
Default User Avatar
u462676535
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
Default User Avatar
mingyuchung
Played On
Reviews 2
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course condition

I was so excited because I heard so many good things about PGA West, but was disappointed early after the first 2 holes. The course is in a terrible condition. Wasted my time golfing here.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Default User Avatar
u00000989694
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
jkighawk
Played On
Reviews 221
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

TLC

The course needs some TLC, especially the greens. Once the course is back in good condition, it will get excellent ratings across the board (except maybe pace of play).

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u171246447
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u000004598353
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing

Not great bang for the buck

Was really excited to play one of the PGA West courses with my daughter. Even though the stadium course was closed down for renovations…we were pretty pumped to play the Nicholas course. The staff was amazing. However, the price we paid did not match the course conditions. Greens were burnt out and slow. Fairways and tee boxes were in subpar shape. Worst was the pace of play. 5 1/2 hour round. At one point there were five groups on the par 5 and the starter said we were waiting because our carts were faster. I played two other courses in town for a fraction of the price and in much better condition.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u171246447
Played On
Reviews 2
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
Daltonpolo
Played On
Reviews 11
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
MichaelFanning
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
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