PGA West: Stadium Course
La Quinta, CA • Public
John Henebry
JPHenebry
Overview
Originally private, the Stadium Course (the original 18 at PGA West) was among the rota of courses for the old Bob Hope Desert Classic until some pros, objecting to its difficulty, petitioned to remove it. (It’s now back.) It's Pete Dye at his rambunctious best, with a finish mimicking his later design at TPC Sawgrass: a gambling par-5 16th (called San Andreas Fault), a short par-3 17th to an island green and an intimidating par-4 18th with water all the way to the green. Though hideous in its difficulty and aesthetics by 1980s standards (it was can't miss television when it hosted the 1987 Skins Game), it's matured into a noble piece of architecture that represents the tail end of Dye's extreme middle phase.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked No. 72, 1991-'92. Ranked No. 93, 1993-'94.
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked for six years from 2013-'18.
Highest ranking: No. 168, 2013-'14.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since inaugural edition in 2003-'04.
Highest ranking: No. 40, 2015-'16.
Previous ranking: No. 55, 2021-'22.
2023-'24 ranking: No. 49.
Best in State: Ranked 24th, 2013-'14. Ranked 25th, 2015-'16. Ranked 29th, 2011-'12, 2017-'18.
2023-'24 ranking: 33rd.
Previous ranking: 31st.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Dramatic and very challenging golf course played over relatively flat desert terrain offering outstanding views of the surrounding mountains. Holes play mostly straight with only 6 having slight dog legs left or right. Fairways and greens were firm and fast when played. Fairways were wide and accommodating albeit bordered by well-placed bunkers and low level dormant rough. However, the green complexes created significant challenges to scoring as all were bordered by extremely deep bunkers and runoff areas. The closing stretch of 16 (a par 5 bordered by 15-18 foot deep bunkers), 17 (a par 3 played to an island green) and 18 (a par 4 bordered the entire length by water) were an excellent test to complete the round."
Read More2024
Review
“Fairly different from TPC Sawgrass. Hazards may be more prevalent and extreme on this course, but I would say it plays quite a bit easier at PGA West vs TPC Sawgrass. Course has very wide corridors and benign rough. Greens are easier to hit that TPC Sawgrass also. Worth a trip if you've never played it before."
Read More2024
Review
“More fun can be had at many other Palm Springs venues. All about the bragging rights, except those in the know, know it’s not much to brag about."
Read More2023
Review
“Located in La Quinta, in the Coachella Vally, this difficult Pete Dye Course (1986) is open to the public , but also has a private component to it. The fairways are bordered by large mounds or large lakes on many of the holes. The fairways are undulated and well as the greens. The are lots of hazards lurking, like forced carries over water, long bunkers that run the length of some of the holes, deep greenside bunkers"
Read More2023
Review
“The Stadium Course is a challenge for better golfers / lower handicappers. The black tees play at 7300 yards while the Blue's are a very challenging 6739. A wonderful Pete Dye course filled with deep challenging bunkers, tight firm fairway approaches and normally fast greens. This public course is the main attraction at PGA West and home to the American Express Championship on the January stop of the PGA Tour. Shot options, distinctive holes, beautiful scenery and wonderful layout variety make this a 'must play" if you are in the La Quinta desert area. This course will likely be a bit overwhelming for the high handicap golfer, and the price makes it a bit restrictive ($445.00). Bottom line, this is a wonderful course and the views from the tee boxes and the fact that it is a PGA Tour event course make for a very fun round. I gave it 4.25-stars due to the price and level of difficulty."
Read More2023
Review
“A real treat to play this Pete Dye gem, played it the week he passed away, so was keenly aware of him that day. Such a good driving golf course as strategic angles are so important here, and having to flirt with trouble to get the best approach is in evidence on almost every hole. Par 3s and par 5s are very strong at Stadium, and come with lots of options, but also the need to execute to make a good score possible. Had never played there in all of these years, but really enjoyed it, particularly holes 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18."
Read More2021
Review
“A daunting test, but with tees as short as 4,000 yards, this course can be managed by most players. Beautiful views enhance the enjoyment and the course is wonderfully conditioned. Pricey, but if you enjoy playing where the pros compete, well worth it."
Read More2021
Review
“One of the most interesting and fun days I've had on the golf course."
Read More2021
Review
“Trick me up and test my patience. This course can ramp up the stress level. Tough, stern, unforgiving in places, and memorable."
Read More2018
Review
“Course really wasn’t that hard. The fairways are super wide and rough is minimal. Definitely prepare yourself for a long round. Took over 6 hours to finish my round, mainly because people play the wrong tee boxes. Make sure you play to your ability, and don’t try to play above it. Hole 18 is one of the toughest tee shot you will have in golf."
Read More2018
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