The ‘Western Home of Golf in America’ Has 9 Incredible Courses, a New Bunker Bar With Mountain Views, and a Game-changing Academy

Staring down a birdie putt on a famously difficult island green, framed by parched, yucca-covered mountains sculpted out of ancient magma, isn’t how most people would describe “winter golf.” But there I was, on hole 17 of the incredible Pete Dye Stadium course at PGA West hoping to turn around a less-than-consistent back nine. Back home in Brooklyn, it was one of those gray and rainy late-winter days, but here in La Quinta, it was 72, sunny, and dry as you’d expect—otherwise known as perfect golf weather.

Whether you need a winter escape, want to perfect your game, or just (like me) happen to be in town for work and want to play a round, everything you need is at PGA West, known affectionately as the “Western Home of Golf in America.” After unveiling a fresh multi-million-dollar restoration across its Pete Dye-designed courses, it’s preparing to host The American Express golf tournament Jan. 19-25; however this place is a golf heaven for all types of golfers, pros and amateurs alike.

Championship courses, top-tier food, and a brand-new, state-of-the-art training facility make this a perfect golf destination. Here is my review of PGA West, and why you should be planning your next off-season golf trip to the California desert.

The Courses

While PGA West boasts nine full-size courses across its 2,000-acre campus, five are open to the public and take tee-time reservations year-round. The crown jewel of these is the Pete Dye Stadium Course, host of the annual PGA Tour American Express golf tournament that takes place every January. The 17th hole boasts a famous island green among the boulders, known affectionately as “Alcatraz,” but the entire course features natural hazards and backdrops that have to be seen to believe. At 7,300 yards with a course rating of 76 and slope of 148, this is a tough, truly championship course.

In addition to Stadium are the Pete Dye Mountain and Dunes courses. Both opened in 1980 and offer their own unique flourishes to compliment the natural landscape. Mountain is extremely playable, perfect for a casual round with a group mixing golfers of all levels. I love the rock formations that dot its borders, and the deep pot-bunkers are—and I can’t believe I’m saying this—fun to play out of. Dunes on the other hand will have you focusing on your accuracy, with half the holes featuring water hazards and finicky greens. The layout is a great walk, with UK-style rolling, undulating fairways that give it its name.

The last two public courses are eponymous beauties, thanks to their design from two of golf’s legends. Nicklaus Tournament Course is long and forgiving off the tee but features elevated greens on nearly every hole with protective bunkers, plus lots of desert trees and deep water. Get ready to use your driver and your wedges a lot on this sloping and tiered layout from the Golden Bear himself.

Greg Norman designed the final course to be reminiscent of his home Down Under, so expect a similarly long walk to spoil. But unlike the others, sand is abundant at the Norman course, and you’ll find yourself being rewarded for fairways while struggling when you’ve missed the turf—even working around some cacti for recovery shots.

Food and Drink

PGA West is incredibly welcoming not just for your round, but to hang out at before, at the turn, and after thanks to multiple clubhouses and dining options. My favorite is Ernie’s Bar & Grill, a lively gastro-pub located at the public Tournament Clubhouse with iconic views of the Stadium and Nicklaus Tournament courses.

New this year is the Bunker Bar, a California-style eatery and lounge with amazing drinks and a fresh, clean aesthetic. It also has two Trackman golf simulators and tons of TVs, so you can “play” while you eat overlooking the Stadium course and Santa Rosa Mountains. It’s a weird experience to play simulator golf in the sunny space, especially with a tournament-ready course right outside, but it’s part of what makes PGA West so special: it’s all right there.

On the Norman course, there’s Wallaby’s West, an airy, Aussie-inspired restaurant amidst the course itself. The patio is a stunner, with fireplaces for when the temperature drops and you want to enjoy a glass of shiraz after your round.

Activities and Amenities

Golf is a game that requires practice, but even the biggest grinder out on the links needs some instruction and time spent on individual skills. For most, that’s time on the range, the simulator, or the practice green. At PGA West, there is something better: the Golf Academy, for anyone looking to up their game or just learn the basics. Bookable to anyone and even available for select walk-ins, the Academy offers world-class instruction from the best coaches in the country. Sign up for private and group instruction, clinics, and special events.

In addition to the Academy is a brand new Performance Lab, featuring the latest technology – including two simulator bays, a Zen Putting Stage, Quintic putting software, Trackman iO Launch Monitor system, and a custom club fitting experience. The master club fitter is such a cool and impactful experience if you have the means to swing it, it will truly change your game. You can pick up some new clubs to get fitted at their Pro Shop, which also features great merchandise (I love the sunrise and mountains logo).

January has PGA West hosting The American Express annual golf tournament, a PGA Tour event that is one of the kick-offs to the season. In 2026, from Jan. 19-25, the best players in the world come to the desert, as do the fans who also get to see a concert series and experience unique fandom events in La Quinta.

If you’re in town for longer, or want a non-golf option, the Acrisure Arena (home to the Coachella Valley Firebirds, an American Hockey League team) hosts a full slate of concerts and events throughout the year. Nearby is also the BMW Performance Center West, a 33-acre test track for car and driving enthusiasts.

Location

La Quinta is a picturesque city within the Coachella Valley, featuring walkable shopping in the neo-classical “Old Town” center and many resorts and hotels within its boundaries. The jewel is the historic La Quinta Resort & Club that is aligned with PGA West and part of the Hilton Curio collection. The resort features three unique restaurants and facilities for tennis, swimming, hiking, shopping, and a high-end spa that blends desert serenity with modern wellness techniques. There are also 42 pools, some for families and others adults-only. Rooms start at $285 per night, with private villas for those truly seeking calm in the valley.

Flights into Palm Springs Airport (PSP), which is a 30-minute drive from PGA West, are available on many major airlines. Shuttles are an option, but I recommend renting a car and enjoying a fun drive through the desert. For the Greater Palm Springs area, the high season is from late November through April—those winter and early spring months when temperatures are perfect and many events are planned. But plenty of people in the know visit in the shoulder months as well, or even the summer “off-season” to escape crowds, score better hotel deals, and book affordable tee times.

Accessibility and Sustainability

PGA West is wheelchair and mobility-assistant accessible, and golf carts are required for all public courses. Like many golf resorts that rely on the beauty of nature, PGA West upholds its commitment to sustainability and has received certification from the Audubon International’s Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program focused on environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation, water quality management, and community outreach and education. During the recent restoration of the courses, overall sustainability was a focus with new naturally pest-resistant grass and an updated irrigation system throughout the greens complexes.