The ‘Western House of Golf in America’ Has 9 Unimaginable Programs, a New Bunker Bar With Mountain Views, and a Recreation-changing Academy

Staring down a birdie putt on a famously troublesome island inexperienced, framed by parched, yucca-covered mountains sculpted out of historical magma, isn’t how most individuals would describe “winter golf.” However there I used to be, on gap 17 of the unbelievable Pete Dye Stadium course at PGA West hoping to show round a less-than-consistent again 9. Again house in Brooklyn, it was a type of grey and wet late-winter days, however right here in La Quinta, it was 72, sunny, and dry as you’d anticipate—in any other case often known as good golf climate.

Whether or not you want a winter escape, wish to good your recreation, or simply (like me) occur to be on the town for work and wish to play a spherical, every thing you want is at PGA West, identified affectionately because the “Western House of Golf in America.” After unveiling a recent multi-million-dollar restoration throughout its Pete Dye-designed programs, it is making ready to host The American Categorical golf event Jan. 19-25; nevertheless this place is a golf heaven for every type of golfers, execs and amateurs alike.

Championship programs, top-tier meals, and a brand-new, state-of-the-art coaching facility make this an ideal golf vacation spot. Right here is my evaluate of PGA West, and why you ought to be planning your subsequent low season golf journey to the California desert.

The Programs

Whereas PGA West boasts 9 full-size programs throughout its 2,000-acre campus, 5 are open to the general public and take tee-time reservations year-round. The crown jewel of those is the Pete Dye Stadium Course, host of the annual PGA Tour American Categorical golf event that takes place each January. The seventeenth gap boasts a well-known island inexperienced among the many boulders, identified affectionately as “Alcatraz,” however your complete course options pure hazards and backdrops that need to be seen to imagine. At 7,300 yards with a course score of 76 and slope of 148, this can be a robust, actually championship course.

Along with Stadium are the Pete Dye Mountain and Dunes programs. Each opened in 1980 and supply their very own distinctive thrives to go with the pure panorama. Mountain is extraordinarily playable, good for an informal spherical with a bunch mixing golfers of all ranges. I really like the rock formations that dot its borders, and the deep pot-bunkers are—and I can’t imagine I’m saying this—enjoyable to play out of. Dunes alternatively may have you focusing in your accuracy, with half the holes that includes water hazards and finicky greens. The structure is a good stroll, with UK-style rolling, undulating fairways that give it its title.

The final two public programs are eponymous beauties, because of their design from two of golf’s legends. Nicklaus Event Course is lengthy and forgiving off the tee however options elevated greens on practically each gap with protecting bunkers, plus a lot of desert timber and deep water. Prepare to make use of your driver and your wedges so much on this sloping and tiered structure from the Golden Bear himself.

Greg Norman designed the ultimate course to be harking back to his house Down Below, so anticipate a equally lengthy stroll to spoil. However not like the others, sand is considerable on the Norman course, and also you’ll end up being rewarded for fairways whereas struggling if you’ve missed the turf—even working round some cacti for restoration photographs.

Meals and Drink

PGA West is extremely welcoming not simply in your spherical, however to hang around at earlier than, on the flip, and after because of a number of clubhouses and eating choices. My favourite is Ernie’s Bar & Grill, a energetic gastro-pub situated on the public Event Clubhouse with iconic views of the Stadium and Nicklaus Event programs.

New this 12 months is the Bunker Bar, a California-style eatery and lounge with wonderful drinks and a recent, clear aesthetic. It additionally has two Trackman golf simulators and tons of TVs, so you may “play” when you eat overlooking the Stadium course and Santa Rosa Mountains. It’s a bizarre expertise to play simulator golf within the sunny house, particularly with a tournament-ready course proper outdoors, but it surely’s a part of what makes PGA West so particular: it’s all proper there.

On the Norman course, there’s Wallaby’s West, an ethereal, Aussie-inspired restaurant amidst the course itself. The patio is a stunner, with fireplaces for when the temperature drops and also you wish to take pleasure in a glass of shiraz after your spherical.

Actions and Facilities

Golf is a recreation that requires observe, however even the largest grinder out on the hyperlinks wants some instruction and time spent on particular person expertise. For many, that’s time on the vary, the simulator, or the observe inexperienced. At PGA West, there’s something higher: the Golf Academy, for anybody trying to up their recreation or simply study the fundamentals. Bookable to anybody and even obtainable for choose walk-ins, the Academy provides world-class instruction from the very best coaches within the nation. Join personal and group instruction, clinics, and particular occasions.

Along with the Academy is a model new Efficiency Lab, that includes the newest know-how – together with two simulator bays, a Zen Placing Stage, Quintic placing software program, Trackman iO Launch Monitor system, and a customized membership becoming expertise. The grasp membership fitter is such a cool and impactful expertise in case you have the means to swing it, it can actually change your recreation. You possibly can choose up some new golf equipment to get fitted at their Professional Store, which additionally options nice merchandise (I really like the dawn and mountains emblem).

January has PGA West internet hosting The American Categorical annual golf event, a PGA Tour occasion that is likely one of the kick-offs to the season. In 2026, from Jan. 19-25, the very best gamers on the planet come to the desert, as do the followers who additionally get to see a live performance sequence and expertise distinctive fandom occasions in La Quinta.

If you happen to’re on the town for longer, or need a non-golf choice, the Acrisure Area (house to the Coachella Valley Firebirds, an American Hockey League group) hosts a full slate of live shows and occasions all year long. Close by can also be the BMW Efficiency Heart West, a 33-acre take a look at monitor for automotive and driving fanatics.

Location

La Quinta is a picturesque metropolis inside the Coachella Valley, that includes walkable procuring within the neo-classical “Previous City” middle and plenty of resorts and accommodations inside its boundaries. The jewel is the historic La Quinta Resort & Membership that’s aligned with PGA West and a part of the Hilton Curio assortment. The resort options three distinctive eating places and services for tennis, swimming, mountain climbing, procuring, and a high-end spa that blends desert serenity with trendy wellness strategies. There are additionally 42 swimming pools, some for households and others adults-only. Rooms begin at $285 per evening, with personal villas for these actually searching for calm within the valley.

Flights into Palm Springs Airport (PSP), which is a 30-minute drive from PGA West, can be found on many main airways. Shuttles are an choice, however I like to recommend renting a automotive and having fun with a enjoyable drive via the desert. For the Higher Palm Springs space, the excessive season is from late November via April—these winter and early spring months when temperatures are good and plenty of occasions are deliberate. However loads of folks within the know go to within the shoulder months as nicely, and even the summer time “low season” to flee crowds, rating higher lodge offers, and ebook inexpensive tee occasions.

Accessibility and Sustainability

PGA West is wheelchair and mobility-assistant accessible, and golf carts are required for all public programs. Like many golf resorts that depend on the fantastic thing about nature, PGA West upholds its dedication to sustainability and has obtained certification from the Audubon Worldwide’s Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program targeted on environmental planning, wildlife and habitat administration, chemical use discount and security, water conservation, water high quality administration, and group outreach and training. In the course of the current restoration of the programs, total sustainability was a spotlight with new naturally pest-resistant grass and an up to date irrigation system all through the greens complexes.