La Quinta: PGA West: The Stadium Course
The Stadium Course at La Quinta is the most memorable course of the public courses in PGA West designed by Pete Dye and opened in 1986. This golf course is classic Pete Dye, if not somewhat punitive, even for him. Golf shots are required on this golf course, and Pete does all of his regular tricks from copious use of railroad ties to tee boxes that aim you the wrong way to very scary visuals with water.
The course starts out benign enough, but by the 5th or 6th hole you start to see what is in store for you. Semi-island greens with pin positions that dare you to hit it over the water and hit a high draw into the green (to have a shot at birdie). I am not sure if it can be called a risk reward golf course — more of a risk—or very serious risk golf course.
That said this is a must play in La Quinta, it is easily the most memorable golf course of the bunch at PGA west. For kicks you should yank your approach on 16 left into the green side surrounding bunker and see if you have the wedge skills to hit it up the 25 foot face and onto the green. You will be winded by the climb up.
It culminates in at hole 17 Par 3 where Pete just takes off the gloves and you are faced with an Island green lined with rocks. Here there is no bailout, you just have to hit the green with enough loft that the ball will find terra firma. Maybe it’s the adrenaline of terror that makes this golf course memorable, but nonetheless, it’s one that you will share stories and yucks about for years to come.
RANKING;
- Bucket list rank (from 1to 5 buckets): 3
- Location: 6
- Spectacle/ visual: 7
- History: 5/6
- New/ancient: Modern
- Playability : 6
- Memorability : 7
- Buddy-a-bility : 6
- Service/etc: 7
- Value: 6 (If you are playing for value be sure to play one of the other PGA west courses in the am and then play this as a replay. It will save you $$$)
- Shopping: 6 : The pro shop is large and comprehensive. If you feel you need a PGA West shirt you can likely find it in the brand and cut of your favorite designer. Myself, I opted for a ball marker
- Warm up facilities/Range: 7 Very good shared facility with the Nicklaus course. Grass Range, many greens for putting and one for chipping
- Food & Drink: Cart girls are few and far between, so grab them when you see them. The restaurant is shared with the Nicklaus course. The food is good, but the service is really not very good, and the hostess is slow and will tell you everything outside is reserved.
