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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
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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
The whole experience was perfect. Got paired up with a grandpa and grandson and they made the round even better.
Wow! We are so happy you enjoyed your round, Rickbrown989898! We look forward to seeing you again soon at PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.
Hi, Alexphoto777. 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, Rethoghead. We would love to hear more about your 4-star experience on our course. Please tell us what we can do to earn that last star, and thanks for golfing at PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!
Awesome Course. 5 Star Facility
Excellent Condition
Great Staff
Wonderful Clubhouse
Tough Course
In Excellent Condition due to the fact the Upcoming American Express PGA Tournament
Hi, redstroud. 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.
Nor a great service
Had to pay $35.for my wife’s ride along. First time.experience. Other golf courses has always given a friendly answer “we take care of that” have a great day. Restaurant/bar hat poor service. Had to wait. as only the hostess could give us a table outside. No smile on her face… Food was great though.
Hi, Bjorn,
We appreciate you taking the time to review the course and rate us. We are going to pass on your feedback to the teams in charge so they can work to make changes.
Your feedback helps us do better. We are looking into this issue and hope to resolve it promptly.
Thank you for visiting PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course. We hope you'll give us another try in the future.
Fairways and greens were excellent. Tee boxes were moved up due to upcoming tournament and hence were a little worn. Overall the course was very good.
My only negative coming away from the day was the cost of hats and shirts in the proshop. The corporation is already getting top dollar for the tee times do they really need to charge $50 for a PGA West ball cap?!
Hello, u314162428105. 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!
We're glad you enjoyed your 5-star experience with us, bmart19. 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!
Dissapointed
First off, let me say I love this place. I routinely make the drive out from Orange County to play here, in fact I have played Nick Tourney or Stadium four times now since Thanksgiving. We got to the starter 1 minute behind our tee time because the putting green on Nick was closed and were promptly told we missed our tee time. The 4th in our group has an auto immune disorder and wanted to ride solo since Omicron was going on, the starter tried to make him pair up, even though the proshop said it was fine,; then wouldn't allow more than 2 carts on the fairway at once (even though I played stadium as a 3&1 two days before with 3 carts and it was fine)... On top of that, the greens might as well have been sand traps, with ZERO notice told to us. It completely changed the Jan pre-Amex greens to a sandy punched like greens. After the greeting by the starter and then the sandy greens with no notice, it was a tough pill to swallow at almost $200, even though I absolutely love this place.
Hi geoffsumpter,
Let us first say that we are so glad to hear you enjoy PGAWEST. We work hard to create an enjoyable experience so you can focus on enjoying yourself and let us do the rest. We also want to thank you for your honest and constructive criticism of the course.
We are going to escalate your review to our team in charge and do everything we can to improve before your next game.
Thank you for visiting and playing at PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course. We hope to see you again soon!
Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating, u6011340! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!
Fun times. Golf is fun
It was slow but only because it's a pga west course. Shots awesome. Fun golf.
chachathewave, thank you for your kind words! We hope to see you again at the course very soon for another 5-star experience. Thanks for choosing PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.
Hi, u000007826189. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time at PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course. We look forward to seeing you on the course soon for another 5-star experience!
We love hearing about our golfers' experiences, wdrogstad. Please tell us more about what you enjoyed during your round. Thanks for choosing PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!
Rude starter and sandy greens
We played at 7:03 today on Nicklaus course. We came off the range and drove up to the starter as no one called our group. He asked when our tee time was and I said 7:03am sir. He yelled at me and rudely said we missed our tee time. I pointed at the cart time and informed him that it just turned 7:04am sir I am confused. He said it’s 7:05 now and you just missed your tee time and he may need to find the group after us (wasn’t anyone after us). Then yelled at us for having 3 carts when we politely explained our group member has a serious health condition and office staff said it was okay. He said he makes the rules not them and he needs to do cart path only and we can do 90 degrees if we want 3 carts when there was no 90 degree rule or cart path only rule in effect for anyone else on the course.
We paid $186 to be rudely greeted and to top it off they never said the greens had a fresh coat of sand on each one. People pay a lot of money to play here and there is no place for a rude man on a power trip and shady practices. It was literally 7:04am, we finished 15 minutes ahead of pace. I am still at a loss for words.
Hi, u000007461011. 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.
Great Trac in “okay” shape
Lived the layout and the risk reward BUT cart paths only (would have rather walked) was frustrating and the greens hadn’t been cut or rolled forever . The greens took 9 holes to get use too and were the slowest of anywhere I’ve played in PS and nothing like the other PHA west Tracs.
Cheers
Hi, Goodwinz1963! Thank you so much for leaving us with your feedback. We value our customer experience, so your review is important to us. We will make note and we hope to see you back at PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!
Best ever!
One word that comes to mind is PURE. Course was in great shape. I’ll definitely come back to play it again and again next time I’m back in Palm Springs. Probably check out all the other PGA West courses also.
Thank you for your review, tec642. We will pass along your positive experience to our team at PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Hi, Chilo1542. 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.
Bucket list course
This course embodies it's motto: "The home of golf in the West". Fantastically laid out, PGA level conditions, and great service. The Nicklaus Tournament course is not very hard to tee off from, but has absolutely devilish greens. Would recommend breakfast! Pace of play was great for us. The staff is super attentive and the service is fantastic. My only complaint would be that there were no locker rooms to change in, or at least I couldn't find them.
An amazing experience, and would love to play here again.
Hello, u314161249483. 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're glad you enjoyed your 5-star experience with us, TPHogan. 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!
Hi, u314162214346. 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.
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Hello and thank you for your 5-star rating, u000004748396! We're delighted you enjoyed your round. Please book another round with us soon, and thanks for choosing PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course!