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
1125 Reviews (1125)
5 Stars
685
4 Stars
303
3 Stars
90
2 Stars
30
1 Stars
17
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
92.0%
Recommend this course
1011 out of 1125 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
28 Reviews (28)
5 Stars
22
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.4
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.8
StaffFriendliness
4.6
89.3%
Recommend this course
25 out of 28 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
104 Reviews (104)
5 Stars
78
4 Stars
19
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
3
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.6
90.4%
Recommend this course
94 out of 104 reviews
Read Reviews

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
1125 Reviews (1125)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 20
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Overpriced

What used to be one of the crowned jewels in the Coachella Valley for public play, PGA West definitely has become overpriced and overcrowded. They definitely need to have marshals helping with pace of play. 3.5+ hours for the front 9 is totally unacceptable.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Cart Path Only is Torture

We prepaid for PGA West Nicklaus Tournament course. We were not told it would be cart path only. This is an extremely hilly course and having to run up and down large hills was torture. We quit after 9 exhausted. Make sure you call rgem before booking with Golf Now

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Unfortunately it was cart path only. Would like to try again later in season.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Going to play here again

I know all courses are over seating right now, but this course was exceeding my expectations very fair and challenging at the same time. Will definitely play here many more times.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Must Play

PGA West Nicklaus reopened from over seeding the day I played and was cart path only (Golf Now missed this fact). Pace of play was 4hr 15min which was excellent considering cart path only. Course was in phenomenal condition except for bunkers which had inconsistent sand amounts. Greens were fast and receptive to iron shots.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 20
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course and conditions. This course is going to have a good season with greens and fairways in pristine conditions now. More water and sun will help make this course a must play for anyone

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

This course is one of the best at PGA West.

The staff was friendly, the course in lovely condition after just opening. Good recommendation by the starter to take more club to hit the table top greens.

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

Outstanding Experience

For the first day open after overseeding the course was the best I have ever seen it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 32
Skill Advanced
Plays Twice a year
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

HOT

Course and the whole experience - even the bartender was excellent. Just should have chosen a cooler day. 110 degrees is too hot to play - wears on you fast.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
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 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course friendly staff.

Few minutes behind and starter was very pleasant and accommodating.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Very satisfied

My friends and myself ebjoyed play golf.

Id like to play again, next. year.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Course in great shape

We were very pleased with the condition of the course. Green rolled true. Speed was moderately fast. Rough could be difficult to hit out of, but I have played this course when it was deeper and thicker. We were really glad that we played here.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
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