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PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course
Rating Snapshot
About
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."
| 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 |
| 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
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Available Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet FacilitiesAvailable Sports
Fitness, Tennis
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by chrispsd on 02/12/2026
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First view Photo submitted by Richter6103254 on 12/22/2025
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Photo submitted by setch on 12/19/2025
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Photo submitted by u000002367479 on 09/19/2025
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Photo submitted by u000002367479 on 09/19/2025
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Photo submitted by u000002367479 on 09/19/2025
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Photo submitted by u000002367479 on 09/19/2025
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Photo submitted by Mincer24 on 04/16/2025
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Photo submitted by AroundtheHorn on 07/04/2024
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Photo submitted by AroundtheHorn on 07/04/2024
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Photo submitted by AroundtheHorn on 07/04/2024
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Photo submitted by AroundtheHorn on 07/04/2024
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Photo submitted by daddyzzang on 09/25/2023
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Photo submitted by Magoo6047 on 05/17/2023
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Photo submitted by u7326787 on 05/13/2023
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Photo submitted by u379613247 on 02/03/2023
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Photo submitted by mcry on 01/17/2023
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Gorgeous Photo submitted by igolowuc on 12/27/2022
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Photo submitted by Goegl01 on 12/06/2022
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Photo submitted by u2138341 on 10/04/2022
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Photo submitted by u2138341 on 10/04/2022
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Photo submitted by Golfmd50 on 02/24/2022
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Photo submitted by u355891953 on 11/16/2021
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Photo submitted by u355891953 on 11/16/2021
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Photo submitted by captainlandius on 09/26/2021
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Photo submitted by captainlandius on 09/26/2021
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Par’d it…i can go home now lol! Photo submitted by u000001295218 on 09/22/2021
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Photo submitted by u000001295218 on 09/15/2021
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History!!!!!!!!! Photo submitted by U04596 on 07/06/2021
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Number 8. Photo submitted by u378708142 on 05/16/2021
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Pretty sketchy Photo submitted by jbsocal on 09/13/2020
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Photo submitted by u314159354135 on 01/02/2020
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Photo submitted by u314159354135 on 01/02/2020
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Photo submitted by u314159354135 on 01/02/2020
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18th green Photo submitted by Dave1883044 on 11/10/2019
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Photo submitted by James2537435 on 11/07/2019
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Photo submitted by u841910878 on 05/20/2019
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Photo submitted by u841910878 on 05/20/2019
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Photo submitted by hacksalot03 on 12/31/2016
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Photo submitted by u664859348 on 01/28/2015
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Photo submitted by gjcheney60 on 02/25/2014
Greens are in bad shape
Not sure why this course is charging so much for a rack rate. I’d be irritated at the conditions of the greens if I paid over $100 to play here. They need to switch these greens out to TifDwarf/ Bermuda like they did at the Norman, Palmer Private, Mtns and Dunes
WOW
Amazing course and great staff. Thoroughly blown away by the value and course composition and pace of play. The staff in the pro shop, marshall, cart girl, and the guys in the cart barn went above and beyond to ensure my group of guys had a great time. Much appreciated! This should be on your list of golf experiences.
Hello, alanmillertime. Thanks so much for taking the time to write a review. We're so glad that you enjoyed your round at PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course. Please visit us again soon!
Hello u314162529536. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave an excellent rating! We really appreciate your business. Please let us know what we can do for you in the future to earn that last star and thanks for choosing PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!
Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!
Beautiful Course
I've played this course twice now. Once full price during high season and once with a hot deal I love it. The staff are wonderful. Practice facilities are great and the view from the restaurant/bar is pretty. Pace of play was great. Will be back!
Thank you so much for the great review. We are glad you had an incredible time, and we hope to see you again soon! Thanks for choosing PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.
We love hearing about our golfers' experiences, RitaPiconeTroia. Please tell us more about what you enjoyed during your round. Thanks for choosing PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!
Nicklaus Tournament Course
I've played the course before, some two years ago, and had a wonderful experience. I wanted to play it again. However, this time it was very disappointing.
The course is not inexpensive to play and you would expect the course to be in excellent condition, especially since its the center of PGA West.
However, the greens were in really poor condition, with brown and bare patches, plus pitch marks. The sand traps were inconsistent with the type of sand used.
I played another course in La Quinta a couple of days before, at a significant lower cost, and the course was in much better condition.
Overall, I was disappointed with the Tournament course amd couldn't recommend it to any of my golfing buddies.
Hello, u000004589652. Thank you for choosing to golf at PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course. We appreciate you taking the time to write a review. We are sorry to hear that your time with us didn't meet your expectations. We appreciate your feedback, which we will share with our staff. We hope that you still had an enjoyable round. Any additional feedback is greatly appreciated so that we can improve your future experiences with us. We hope to see you again soon!
Poor condition
Played this on Sunday afternoon 21 May. We played from the blues and most of the tea boxes were mainly dirt. Course condition is not what I had seen in the past and it was seemed unusual since we were there in May. I thought the condition would’ve been much better. In 2020 I lived at PGA West on the Palmer course. The course was better maintained then this one and it’s not even used for the PGA tour. They also were obvious dead spots around the course with dirt showing just outside the residences, overall disappointed in the round because I expect higher standards for this facility. Even with lower green fees in the afternoon, I don’t think I would play it again until the condition improves.
Epic roadtrip
This is a top notch course at a top notch club. Greens rolled nice but can be a little sticky. Accuracy is important on this course. If you miss with your driver you’re in trouble. If you miss you’re approach you’re in trouble. Beautiful course and very challenging.
Thanks so much for the great review, Magoo6047. We look forward to welcoming you back to our course soon. Thanks for choosing PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.
We love hearing about our golfers' experiences, Magoo6047. Please tell us more about what you enjoyed during your round. Thanks for choosing PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!
We're glad you enjoyed your 5-star experience with us. Please comment or reach out to our team in the golf shop to let us know more about your round at PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!
Great Course
Excellent condition, fun and fair. Will play again.
Your feedback is important to us, hindu121. Thank you for sharing your 5-star experience. We look forward to seeing you again at the course soon! Thanks for choosing PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.
CAPEM2, thank you for the awesome rating! We hope to see you again at the course very soon for another great experience, and thanks for choosing PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.
Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!
Be tender but never surrender !
Very challenging course if don’t hit the green with the right speed you can pretty much looking up at the green
And the greens are very smooth rolling
We have a very nice time , friendly staffs
We appreciate you !
Hello, u7326787. Thanks so much for taking the time to write a review. We're so glad that you enjoyed your round at PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course. Please visit us again soon!
We love hearing about our golfers' experiences, jglynn69. Please tell us more about what you enjoyed during your round. Thanks for choosing PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!
Hi, Mario4188322. We would love to hear more about your positive experience on our course. Please contact us to share with us your favorite part of your experience. Thanks for golfing at PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!
Disappointed
Pace of play was torturous. Waited at every hole and finally quit at 15. Hills made cart driving dangerous so be careful. Fairways were more brown than green . Will not play there again and canceled other PGA West reservations.
We apologize for the pace of play issue you experienced. We always try to keep a great pace when having our golfers on the course. Thank you for taking the time to give us your feedback as we will use your review to better the experience going forward. We hope you give us another try in the near future!
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u1208039, thank you for the awesome rating! We hope to see you again at the course very soon for another great experience, and thanks for choosing PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.