Stadium Course
La Quinta, CA, USA
The Stadium Course at PGA West, forged in the boom of desert golf in the Coachella Valley, is a testament to Pete Dye’s unapologetically penal design philosophy. Built on a relatively flat expanse of desert floor, Dye moved mountains of earth to create dramatic elevation changes and notoriously challenging hazards. Playing long and tough, the course notably favors a draw, with many holes bending left around strategically placed water and bunkers. The closing stretch, especially the island green of the 17th, is guaranteed to induce anxiety in even the most seasoned player. Dye, with a notable assist from his wife Alice, shaped the Stadium Course in the late 1980s. The course became synonymous with its merciless difficulty – a fact punctuated when it hosted the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 1987, where pros voiced their displeasure. This led to a decade-long hiatus from the PGA Tour rotation before it returned, slightly softened, as part of the CareerBuilder Challenge (now The American Express). While the Stadium Course may not be globally renowned, it’s infamous, a crucible that has humbled countless golfers. The vibrant atmosphere often found on the 18th, amplified during tournament play, and the post-round revelry in the clubhouse, contribute to the course's unique, if polarizing, reputation. It is a place where scores might be high, but memories are guaranteed.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Public: #166
Best in USA
Public: #84
Best in CA
Public: #4
Golfers say this Pete Dye design delivers a challenging and visually striking desert experience, with most praising the dramatic bunkering, tabletop greens, and mountain backdrops that define the layout. Reviewers consistently highlight the memorable closing stretch from 16–18, particularly the island par 3 and massive bunkers that test even skilled players. Most find the course fun and well-conditioned, noting it's exciting to play the same holes as tour professionals, though some feel the novelty fades after multiple rounds and question the value at peak rates of $375–400, suggesting off-peak or replay pricing offers better bang for the buck. A few mention pace-of-play issues with overbooking, while others enjoyed empty summer rounds in extreme heat at significantly reduced rates.
8.4
166 players
Fun desert action
after playing it several times, the novelty has worn off. its in nice condition, but not worth the price they charge. its ok if uou get it for the replay rate of 100.00, but the nicklaus course is nicer with more challenging holes. you can play the mountain or dunes course in tbe morning for a couple hundred on golfnow, then play the stadium in the afternoon for a hundred, or play the stadium alone for 375-400.00
Brutally hot in may (115 degrees) but unbelievable course. Truly challenging in non gimmicky good golf design. Would love a second crack at it
This course is awesome with great views. The pros make it look so easy. Tabletop greens but all time vibes
didn’t get to finish due to a 8 group pileup between 15-18 Played 17 in the dark and hit the green. Cool track but really wish I could have gotten to finish. Don’t overbook your course!!!
A good desert course with cool features. It’s fun to play the same course that the pros get to. I didn’t find too much of it super memorable, but the views and greens were great
We played in 110 degree weather in the middle of the summer (I don’t mind the heat and we saved 80% on the greens fee). The course was empty; we took a cart and finished the round in under 2.5 hours. My favorite stretch was 16-18 (the massive par 5 bunker, and the island par 3). The practice facilities and range were great; could hit balls out there all day long. Huge pro shop with large merch selection. Food and restaurant were great. Great pizza. Overall - highly recommend the course if you are in Palm Springs.
Played here in the middle of June a few years back. Very hot but they give you really good rates to get out and play. The course is really awesome and has some crazy undulations and bunkering. Really challenging
Played in the overseed transition period, so did not catch it at its best. Pete Dye beats you into mental submission with the visuals out here, brilliant design and one of the most penal courses I’ve played to date.
I’m a sucker for a Pete Dye design and the stadium course does not disappoint. Really fun, really challenging. Mountain back drop after mountain back drop. Per usual he kills it with that 16-18 stretch. I wish there wasn’t a mass amount of homes lining the course and I thought the demolition of the trees in this rare case brings the course down. Still a boatload of fun and I think an underrated tour stop!
Public courses closest to Stadium at PGA West.
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Stadium at PGA West has a Course Vaults score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 79 explicit golfer ratings.
Yes. Stadium at PGA West is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Stadium is 72.
Stadium plays 7,300 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Stadium is 154.
Stadium is a 18-hole course.
