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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
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Available Facilities
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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
Poor Course Conditions
Not maintained at all. Not worth doing with so many better choices in area for less money.
Rough Conditions
Severely lacking in maintenance. Most all Tee Boxes are lacking grass and large areas are cut out as were sides of fairways. Most boxes were not close to flat. Whole course looks like it has not been getting maintenance needed. Areas that had not mowed in very long time. Grass and weed levels very inconsistent. Some bunkers had weeds. Many times right next to green could not find balls because of the thickness right next too green. I went in with high hopes and it was a major disappointment. it should in this condition be a $30 course at most. Played Shadowridge for less money the day before and it was incredible. I can't express how bad and ugly the course really was.
Hi, u314160594259! Thank you so much for leaving us with your feedback. We value our customer experience, so your review is important to us. Please know the current conditions are by no means the standard we strive to achieve. We will continue to work towards a 5-star experience and we hope to see you back!
Hi, u8035170. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. We see you rated the course 1 star and are interested in learning what we can do to improve for your next visit. We take single-star feedback very seriously at our course. You are welcome to comment further or reach out to our team in the golf shop. We always appreciate the feedback. Thanks for choosing PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.
we played on the 23rd of July and canceled the 24th at the pro shop. the pro shop canceled it and should NOT be charged
we played on the 23rd of July and canceled the 24th at the pro shop. the pro shop canceled it and should NOT be charged
Hello, u314163135213. Thank you for reviewing the course. We would like to apologize for your recent experience.
We're sorry to hear you were less than satisfied during your round. We pride ourselves on our providing great service and the high-quality standards we maintain.
We would like to make things right. Please reach out to our management team at the pro shop.
We hope to hear from you soon.
Very Fun Golf Course
This course had a lot of fun holes and some real nice views of the mountains. It was pretty tough but me and my group really enjoyed it. Hole 17, Alcatraz, was definitely one of the best holes there.
Your feedback is important to us, JoshR44. 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.
Nice Pace
Expectedly some rough patches for this time of year. But pace was great and great value. Tee’d off at 2pm finished at 4:05
Hi, u000002003319. 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.
Little worn in place
As expected for this time of year, a few of the areas were a little worn out. Overall a great value, I golfed at 2pm and finished before 4:15
Hello, u000002003319. Thanks so much for your review. We're so glad you enjoyed your round at PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course. That's what we like to hear! We hope to see you again soon!
Hi, u314163135213. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. We see you rated the course 1 star and are interested in learning what we can do to improve for your next visit. We take single-star feedback very seriously at our course. You are welcome to comment further or reach out to our team in the golf shop. We always appreciate the feedback. Thanks for choosing PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.
Hello, u314161789332. We appreciate the review. You rated us 3-stars which means there is room to improve on your recent experience at PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course. Let us know, in the comments, how and where you would like to see changes from the course. Thanks for the feedback!
Disappointing Conditions
Tee boxes: depending on the tee box the majority had very limited grass or none at all.
Fairways" Large dead patches throughout the course - especially around the greens.
Greens - had been sanded (as we were playing!) and had been aerated recently.
There was no aerification notice on the web site.
No water coolers on the course.
We play at PGA West every year and this was a huge disappointment. There are many courses in the area which are in superior condition.
Thank you for reviewing the course. Let us first start by apologizing for the poor experience you had during your visit. The current condition is by no means the standard we strive to achieve and are working diligently to improve the course. Thank you for playing and we hope to see you again soon.
Great Course
A beautiful course set up and good conditions. A review of the hole handicapping could be assessed as the #1 hole was a very short par 4. Another thing to note was all the blue tee box markers were not placed on the tee boxes. When we mentioned it to the Marshall he suggested we play the front tees? They should have had someone place the markers after we mentioned it.
Hi, firefite2. 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.
Sadly, Better Options in the Valley
We come out to PGA west every summer for a weekend trip. We usually play the tournament courses and also a non pga west course when we are out there. The service we receive at non pga west courses are far superior and has made us likely to play only non pga west courses on next years trip.
It is 105 degrees outside and there is absolutely no water on the course for the players to drink. That is ABSURD. We played Mission Hills and there was coolers every 3rd hole. It’s literally dangerous to the guests to not provide a cold water option. The 2 water bottles provided lasted 3 holes. Every other course in the Coachella valley would have water in the summer for their guests. I asked the starter and an ambassador if they had any water, both looked around and was able to find a single bottle to provide us. Then the one time we saw the cart girl (because she told us that she was going home for the day when we were hitting our approach shots on the FIRST HOLE) wanted to sell us the same water for 3 dollars each. It made the experience of the course so bad to just be dying for a sip of cold water the entire day and truly hurt the mood of the entire group.
Also, we had 2 groups back to back of 4 people, so 8 total golfers. The night before we drove up one person in our group said he tested positive for Covid and obviously did not come on the trip. It was under 48 hours when we learned of this. When telling the person who checked us in, he told us it was likely we would get charged a fee because of the missing person. When we explained the situation he told me that PGA west no longer recognizes Covid as a reason to cancel a tee time because “too many people were doing it”. Well… it’s a PANDEMIC so that would make sense. So it appears that PGA west would prefer you to come to their facility and play golf with an active Covid infection rather than stay home and away from people and have the tee time be missed. There was no waitlist and wide open tee times, no reason for the threat of being charged for a person who is sick not showing up.
We love PGA west and enjoy this trip every year but it is clear that the hospitality, accommodations, and overall logic of the facility has gone down hill immensely, and with so many other options for golf in the valley it is hard to find a reason why PGA west should be where we go now.
Hi, kdiosdado30. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. We are sorry to hear your customer service experience was not up to par. Please reach out to our management team at (760) 564-7111, and thanks for visiting PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course. We hope you'll give us another try in the future.
Hello u000006525611,
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!
Awful Maintenance Interference
When you have the first tee time, you expect you may run into maintenance but they should yield and let you through. Not on this course. The entire round all you saw was maintenance workers, heard the sound of lawn mowers and blowers. They walked across the greens on approach shots. It absolutely ruined the round. They nearly ran us over with the mowers on a few holes. Simply couldn’t enjoy the course, and not for over $100. I will not be back. PGA West is simply ruined. Stay away. So many other better courses in the area.
Hi, u000001982259! Thank you so much for leaving us with your feedback. We value our customer experience, so your review is important to us. Please know the current conditions are by no means the standard we strive to achieve. We will continue to work towards a 5-star experience and we hope to see you back!
Hi, mattsanger711. 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!
Hi, u314162789565. We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. Thank you for the 4 stars! We aim for a 5-star experience, so we always welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for playing PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.
PGA level
Extremely difficult layout and amazing course condition. Strongly recommend to weekend players.
Hi, u314160012672. 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.
Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating, u314162789977! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!
Amazing
One of the best times I have had
Amazing everything and everyone
Thank you for taking the time to review us, u314162789977. Your feedback is valuable, and we look forward to delivering you excellent service again soon. PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course thanks you!
Hi, u314162789977. 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!
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The Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage Stay & Play Package
The Lodge At Torrey Pines Stay & Play Package
The OMNI La Costa Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package
Thank you for reviewing the course. Let us first start by apologizing for the poor experience you had during your visit. The current condition is by no means the standard we strive to achieve and are working diligently to improve the course. Thank you for playing and we hope to see you again soon.