JFHenebry/Courtesy of the club
JFHenebry/Courtesy of the club
JPHenebry
JFHenebry/Courtesy of the club
PGA West: Stadium Course
La Quinta, CA•Public
Awards
Panelists Score
PGA West: Stadium Course
56150 Pga Blvd
La Quinta, CA 92253-4600
United States
Telephone
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. In 2024, Tim Liddy, a protégé of Dye, returned to PGA West to perform a restoration to return putting surfaces and bunker complexes to their original dimensions, as well as grassing the greens in more drought-tolerant TifEagle bermuda.
About
Golf Digest 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
“The PGA West Stadium Course is classic Pete Dye design -- demanding and dramatic, but at the same time lacking some in shot options and playability. The deep bunkers, numerous water hazards, and mounding make many of the shots look more intimidating than they actually are, which is a Dye staple. But there is little room for wayward shots. I found the course memorable and it had a strong identity, although at times the shaping felt overdone. Much of the challenge came from having to execute a specific shot rather than choosing among several good ways to play a hole. The finish was the highlight for me. No. 16 gives you a real decision on the second shot, with the large bunker creating a difficult miss near the green. The No. 17 island green doesn't have the same iconic nature as 17 at Sawgrass, but you can tell it was a precurser in Dye's mind. And the water the length of 18 provides a tense and memorable finish. Those three holes were challenging and fun, and they were the part of the course I remembered most clearly after the round."
Read More2026
Review
“The PGA West Stadium Course is classic Pete Dye design -- demanding and dramatic, but at the same time lacking some in shot options and playability. The deep bunkers, numerous water hazards, and mounding make many of the shots look more intimidating than they actually are, which is a Dye staple. But there is little room for wayward shots. I found the course memorable and it had a strong identity, although at times the shaping felt overdone. Much of the challenge came from having to execute a specific shot rather than choosing among several good ways to play a hole. The finish was the highlight for me. No. 16 gives you a real decision on the second shot, with the large bunker creating a difficult miss near the green. The No. 17 island green doesn't have the same iconic nature as 17 at Sawgrass, but you can tell it was a precurser in Dye's mind. And the water the length of 18 provides a tense and memorable finish. Those three holes were challenging and fun, and they were the part of the course I remembered most clearly after the round."
Read More2026
Review
“A visit to PGA West would not be complete without a chance to test your game against the Stadium course. Most holes are framed by mounds on both sides that can add challenge to errant shots. Fairways are mostly flat rewarding straight shooters. Not many holes with open fronts require approaches from proper angles to get to the pin. Conditions are typically firm and fast and consistent though the entire course. Conditions were surprisingly good considering the sheer volume of rounds played on this course ever day. A very well-run operation that is the leader in Public golf in the Palm Springs area. If you ever get to Palms Springs a visit to the Stadium course is a must."
Read More2026
Review
“This is a beautiful yet challenging course. You can see why they host a tournament for the professionals on this property. The course requires accuracy off the tee, accuracy on approach, and a crafty wedge game if you want to score anywhere near your averages. Not to mention distance as well, based on the tees you pick! The facilities are great, the hospitality is top notch, and the practice facilities are well run. Make sure to spend some extra time warming up. In terms of F&B -- the quick grab and go offerings left something to be desired (especially as it relates to other courses I'd consider in it's class). Outside of a hotdog at the turn, it was only some pre-made, very average sandwiches on offer."
Read More2026
Review
“The course was in great shape. However the pin placements were in very difficult positions for the firm and fast (12.2 speed) greens."
Read More2026
Review
“It's polarizing, difficult, and unforgettable. You can love and hate it from one hole to the next."
Read More2026
Review
“One must approach the Stadium course with a different mindset than most other venues they play because it is so unique that it is quite difficult to make any comparisons. If a player is approaching the day with the idea of just having fun and enjoying a course that most players have seen on TV for years and not worrying about their score, then they will be satisfied and fulfilled. However, if the player is serious about wanting a well-designed layout with traditional values and some elements of being fair, then they will be disappointed. This is Pete Dye at his most extreme. While most of the holes are different from each other, the overall feel is that there is little variety with the artificial mounding throughout, often on both sides of the fairway. Dye does get credit for his ability to disguise approach shots by making sections of greens feel smaller than they are. Stadium comes under the category of having an “experience” and one that most players should have at least once if for no other reason than to play the famous final three holes. But avoid the sand to the left of 16, it is challenging to get out of even for the most skilled bunker players."
Read More2025
Review
“Best Renovation candidate. Excellent choice to use Tifeagle for green surfaces. Removal of top growth lowered greens restoring original height bringing rocks and bunkers into original intended play. Overall, great renovation bringing Stadium back to Dye’s original beast of a layout."
Read More2025
Review
“This is one of the most demanding courses I have ever played and it makes you appreciate how good the pros are to be able to play this course so well. It is tough and challenging and it is important that you play the right tees to be able to survive."
Read More2025
Review
“Conditions of the greens and fairways were firm and fast. Severe challenge for the average player with bunkering and turtle back greens with little margin for error. Distinctive holes on 9 and 16-18. Hole 16, has an iconic bunker that sits 19 feet below the green will raise your score if you land in it. The course contains distinctive holes that you must be precise in order to score well."
Read More2025
