PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament
A view of a green with water coming into play at PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course.
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.6
1115 Reviews (1115)
5 Stars
680
4 Stars
300
3 Stars
90
2 Stars
29
1 Stars
16
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
92.8%
Recommend this course
1003 out of 1115 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
46 Reviews (46)
5 Stars
36
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.5
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.7
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.7
91.3%
Recommend this course
42 out of 46 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
143 Reviews (143)
5 Stars
108
4 Stars
26
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.7
92.3%
Recommend this course
132 out of 143 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."

Book a Tee Time at
PGA West - Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course
Powered by GolfNow.com

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)
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

4.6
1115 Reviews (1115)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Excellent

Had the course to ourselves on a Monday, was amazing. This course was worth the money for our golf trip, even in summer weather here. The pace of play and course layout were the true winners here, super fun. Would absolutely love to come back here.

Restaurant and everything else is over the top expensive as to be expected but staff were on top of things.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Loved 😍

I heard that this golf course is difficult for beginners. But I went there to gain experience, and I played the best golf I‘ve ever played that day and got a good score. It’s a memorable golf course and I‘ll go back in the fall.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great condition, probably the best we've played on our ttrip. Challenging but fair. We are coming back to try to get back a few strikes!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Review

The course was in good summer condition as patchy spots are present. No GPS in carts. Hard to determine distance as in the past the course had GPS in golf cart. Fire ants are an issue, especially on hole 13. Got bitten a lot due to high grass in some areas.

The course should be priced lower due to summer conditions and not many playing.

Should be priced around $35 for summer play.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

fun course, great staff, just hot (for now)

This was my first time playing the Nicklaus course. Beautiful layout, plenty of challengeing holes and approach shots guarded by sand or water. I thought the course was in great condition outside of greens a little slow from the heat ... but it's the offseason and 113 degree heat has an effect. Staff was great, appreciated us being out there and made sure everyone had water, was ok with pace of play.

Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Golfing in the Heat

The course was supper fun and in great condition considering it was July in 115 degree weather. Course staff would come by with cool mango scented towels, ice and bottled waters. Definitely would come back and play it again.

Fugi

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Play the Bear If You Dare

Great course with some really nice picturesque holes. Course is loaded with bunkers so accuracy is key. Course in very good shape for the time of year. Some great holes including 9, 12, 15 & 18. Always a treat to play at this PGA Tour course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Beautiful Course

Although this was “off peak season” the course was in great condition but, the greens were mixed speed but mostly slow. The aeration that was recently done caused some “bouncing” of the ball as it rolled, throwing off it’s trajectory, I’d still play this course again, worth it.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

awesome course

first time in palm springs for golf. super awesome course. fun time playing despite the heat. staff was super nice and informative and always looking to help you stay cool. offering ice and water any chance possible. they looked happy to be there.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

No GPS - not right

Why the gold carts don't have GPS is beyond understanding. This is a very difficult and exclusive course and no GPS....that's not right

You end up driving balls into lakes because you can't judge it or in some cases cannot see it.

A GPS is a must

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Very accommodating staff and great course

The staff was very accommodating. I showed up to the course 2 hrs early and they moved my tee time up 1 hr and 15 minutes without any questions. course was in very good condition considering the course is in transition from the bent grass to is summer bermuda grass. Always have enjoyed this challenging course.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A very enjoyable round of golf. Course is in great shape.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Request A Vacation Quote From La Quinta Resort
Please provide your information below and a staff member at La Quinta Resort will be in contact to help you start planning your travel.
Nearby Courses
La Quinta, California
Private
2.7619142857
4
La Quinta, California
Private
5.0
3
La Quinta, California
Public/Resort
4.4710911201
1369
La Quinta, California
Private
2.7619142857
4
La Quinta, California
Public/Resort
4.4878476874
1156
La Quinta, California
Private
0.0
0
La Quinta, California
Private
0.0
0
La Quinta, California
Private
0.0
0
La Quinta, California
Private
2.7619142857
4
La Quinta, California
Private
5.0
2
La Quinta, California
Private
2.7143
7
La Quinta, California
Semi-Private
4.5301204819
83
Golf Packages

Epson Tour Championship Pro-Am Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
INDIAN WELLS, CA | The official Pro-Am on Wednesday of tournament week features the opportunity to play the tournament course alongside a future LPGA Tour star the day before tournament competition kicks off!

Best of Indian Wells Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy accommodations at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort, or the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa & Spa and golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort - Celebrity & Players Courses.

Best of Indian Wells Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy accommodations at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort, or the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa and golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort - Celebrity & Players Courses.

Desert Golf Around Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at Westin Rancho Mirage and 3 rounds of golf at Westin Rancho Mirage - Pete Dye Course, Mission Hills North - Gary Player Signature Course, and Indian Wells Resort.

The Palm Mountain Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at Palm Mountain Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, Indian Canyons – North Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account