PGA WEST Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course in La Quinta, California, USA | GolfPass
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
4.5
1090 Reviews 1090 Reviews
5 Stars
659
4 Stars
298
3 Stars
90
2 Stars
29
1 Stars
14
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
92.2%
Recommend this course
981 out of 1090 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
84 Reviews 84 Reviews
5 Stars
66
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.5
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.7
94.0%
Recommend this course
79 out of 84 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
145 Reviews 145 Reviews
5 Stars
106
4 Stars
31
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.7
94.5%
Recommend this course
137 out of 145 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
Show All

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

4.5
1090 Reviews (1090)

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

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Hot Summer Deals & Course Condition Trade Offs

Overall a very fun course. The people and the amenities are great. From chipping to putting and range…all top notch. The fairways were a bit over played and some rough areas. With 100+ temps, bunkers were more cement than sand. Greens had been punched recently adding to degree of difficulty for smooth roll.

Show All
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 26
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

African while golfing

Everything was good until I made the turn, the amateur I was playing with not to mention she was beating the breaks off of me at -2 to +5, had her mother putting tees where the pin placement is going to be for the tourney. A marshal rolled up and asked are you all good do you need some water, we replied no and he rolled off, we both got a par and headed to the carts, back rolled the marshal saying hey you you are not supposed to be playing, I said they moved me up 9 minutes to join the 12:00 group, he replied you are not supposed to be playing, I said I paid to play 18 holes and I’m playing 18 holes, I turned and headed to put my putter on my separate cart, so he turned to my partners mother and said the same thing, she told him she was just marking the pin placements, he asked did her did you pay to play, she said no, he said your not supposed to be on the golf courses, she said I always do this, then he told her she needed to stay on the cart, so I proceeded back and asked him where did he get I’m not support be playing from and I have a bag and a cart, he then said I don’t know, it shows yall group a 3some and you’re not support be playing, I said you’re not making any sense, I then said I know what this is about about three times and proceeded to the next tee. I think he associated me being an eastern Indian and assumed I was the amateur’s father, because we were the same color. Which isn’t cool at all! 4 hole later he comes back around asking do you all need water are you sure???

Show All
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
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 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

It’s very difficult course than PGA West Greg Norman course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
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 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Perfect day

This is not my first visit at Nicklaus course
It is always an amazing day
Course is in great shape
We payed in under 4 hours witch is à great pace
And on a personal note I made 2 birdies
So all in all à perfect day

Show All
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 05/09/2025:
Thank you for the wonderful five-star review! It’s fantastic to hear you had a great experience, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for another memorable round.
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

$28 for 1 ham sandwich

We purchased 1 ham sandwich from cart girl at approximately 12:15. $10 for sandwich + $2 tip for total of $12, yet MY VISA WAS CHARGED $28???
No one has returned my calls!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A little disappointed in the overall condition and grooming

Sand bunkers were not well maintained.
Driving range tees was in poor shape
Was not impressed with the expected condition

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 47
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Senior Golfer

This course is simply outstanding. Even though the greens had been fertilized, it didn’t impact playability in any way. Wonderful design. Very challenging course in every way. Never get tired of playing it. Awesome experience!

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

Nice track

The course layout was great with the last 4 holes being some of the most difficult especially in the wind. The fairways were in great shape but two or 3 greens were bumpy. Overall very enjoyable

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
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 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Challenging

Great layout although course was not in great shape. Cart paths hard to determine where to to in and out of fairway.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Nice Course - Terrible Sand Traps

Had a great round with three nice gentlemen. Enjoyed the course, but the bunkers needed some TLC. Got frustrated toward the end of our round. We were losing daylight and could not finish because of slow players in front of us. Took over 4 1/2 hours to play.

Show All
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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
4.4916
1348
La Quinta, California
Private
2.7619142857
4
Golf Packages

Best of Indian Wells Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort, or the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa & Spa and 2 rounds of golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort - Celebrity & Players Courses.

Best of Indian Wells Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy 3 nights' accommodations at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort, or the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa and 2 rounds of 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.

The Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.
Now Reading
loading