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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Rating Index Rating
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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
92.1%
Recommend this course
1064 out of 1181 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
61 Reviews (61)
5 Stars
44
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.7
93.4%
Recommend this course
57 out of 61 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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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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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Perfekt Set up

Booked on GN, late but reasonable Teetime 12:54, being there earlier. Staff really friendly letting us out, Course in absolute great conditions. A dream

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 12/22/2025:
We’re thrilled you had such a great experience! Thanks for the support — we’ll be here ready to welcome you back for another great round.
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Beautiful place to be

The course is in phenomenal condition, the tee boxes are immaculate and the greens rolled true. It’s a tough course but will always be grateful to be on one of Jack’s courses.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 12/22/2025:
Thank you for the awesome review! We're so glad to hear you had a great experience and look forward to having you back again.
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

PGA West/ Nick Tournament

Lived the course ! No staff around at 5pm to assist with club cleaning or assisting with getting the clubs up to the drop off area! Not what you would expect from this caliber of Golf establishment!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Awful Experience

Took 4 hours to play 11 holes, the rangers did nothing because they booked a PRIVATE TOURNAMENT in front of paying customers didn’t tell us until we said something, clowns! Then they allowed them to do whatever they wanted. We paid for 18 holes and got to play 11 of them because of poor course management! I called to talk pro because of the egregiousness of the pace of play and never call back, real top notch course they are running, I call it pathetic and inexcusable!

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Response from on 11/24/2025:
Sorry to hear about your experience. We’re looking into what went wrong and will be addressing it with our team. Thank you for helping us grow through your feedback.
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course

Course was great and condition was great for the time of the year. Pace was ok, but there was 4 groups on the 8th hole and there was no marshal. If pace of play was good course would have been 5 stars.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

One of the most beautiful courses you will ever play

The greens were not as fast as they have been in the past, but impeccably smooth and true, as always. Fairways, tee boxes, scenery, and everything else about the Tournament course is absolutely first rate.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 09/22/2025:
We really appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to know you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working to make every experience just as good.
Played On
Reviews 12
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Conditions are great

Very good courses. But green is too difficult, soo hard to read the line when you are the first time play in here.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 09/19/2025:
We really appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to know you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working to make every experience just as good.
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Awesome conditions and value!!

One of the best values in the desert! Always a pleasure to play this challenging Tournament course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 09/15/2025:
Thank you for the awesome review! We're so glad to hear you had a great experience and look forward to having you back again.
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
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
Played On
Reviews 43
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Bad review posted by mistake

This is a great course all around. I highly recommend it. The bad review associated with my profile was meant for PGA West Mountain course but Golf Now's policies do not allow me to delete or amend a review. If you are reading this I highly recommend the Nicklaus, Player, & Stadium courses over the Mountain & Dunes courses that PGA West has to offer.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Response from on 09/08/2025:
We really appreciate the five-star rating! It’s great to know you enjoyed your visit — we’ll keep working to make every experience just as good.
Played On
Reviews 43
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Not average golfer friendly

This is already an incredibly difficult course made almost impossible to play by the rough. Very thick rough that consumes the ball. I lost 3 balls on the front nine that landed no more than 5 yards off the fairway. Impossible to find without a spotter. I recommend calling the course before booking to see if the rough has been trimmed to a level where you don't need a spotter to find the ball. The bunkers and greens were OK, but for this price point I expected better. For the average golfer wanting a PGA West experience, I would recommend that you play the Gary Player or Jack Nicklaus courses.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Response from on 09/05/2025:
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. We’re sorry to hear your experience wasn’t what it should have been. Your feedback is important, and we’re working to make things better.
Default User Avatar
Commented on 09/05/2025

For those of you reading this review, it was meant for the Mountain Course. Golf Now has dropped the ball on my being able to correct the mistake. I have been trying to correct this since I hit the send button. Shame on Golf now.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A lot of fun

Great shape and fun to play. The rough and off fairway are challenging. Watch your ball because they can be lost easily in front of your eyes. Had a great day. Golf shop has everything and the drinks at the bar are great. Take some time to look around because there is a lot of history to take in. Staff was first class. Will go again

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 09/06/2025:
We’re thrilled you had such a great experience! Thanks for the support — we’ll be here ready to welcome you back for another great round.
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 43
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Great Challenging Course

It's the middle of summer and this course is in pristine condition. Great time to get a good deal on a course you would want to play every week. Pick the appropriate tees as the slope on this course is much higher than average. This means that the white tees here play like the blue tees at the average course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 37
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

PGA West Nicklaus

Awesome course, terrific staff. Made finishing up a great vacation.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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