The ‘Western Dwelling 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 historic magma, isn’t how most individuals would describe “winter golf.” However there I used to be, on gap 17 of the unimaginable Pete Dye Stadium course at PGA West hoping to show round a less-than-consistent again 9. Again residence 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 count on—in any other case generally known as excellent golf climate.

Whether or not you want a winter escape, wish to excellent your sport, or simply (like me) occur to be on the town for work and wish to play a spherical, all the pieces you want is at PGA West, recognized affectionately because the “Western Dwelling 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 all sorts of golfers, professionals 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 overview of PGA West, and why you need 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, recognized affectionately as “Alcatraz,” however your entire course options pure hazards and backdrops that should be seen to consider. 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 prospers to go with the pure panorama. Mountain is extraordinarily playable, excellent for an informal spherical with a bunch mixing golfers of all ranges. I like the rock formations that dot its borders, and the deep pot-bunkers are—and I can’t consider I’m saying this—enjoyable to play out of. Dunes alternatively can 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 identify.

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

Greg Norman designed the ultimate course to be paying homage to his residence Down Below, so count on a equally lengthy stroll to spoil. However not like the others, sand is ample on the Norman course, and also you’ll end up being rewarded for fairways whereas struggling whenever you’ve missed the turf—even working round some cacti for restoration pictures.

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 full of life gastro-pub positioned on the public Match Clubhouse with iconic views of the Stadium and Nicklaus Match 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” whilst you eat overlooking the Stadium course and Santa Rosa Mountains. It’s a bizarre expertise to play simulator golf within the sunny area, particularly with a tournament-ready course proper exterior, 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 sport that requires apply, however even the most important 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 apply inexperienced. At PGA West, there’s something higher: the Golf Academy, for anybody seeking to up their sport or simply study the fundamentals. Bookable to anybody and even accessible for choose walk-ins, the Academy affords world-class instruction from the very best coaches within the nation. Join non-public and group instruction, clinics, and particular occasions.

Along with the Academy is a model new Efficiency Lab, that includes the most recent 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 if in case you have the means to swing it, it’s going to actually change your sport. You possibly can decide up some new golf equipment to get fitted at their Professional Store, which additionally options nice merchandise (I like the dawn and mountains brand).

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 collection and expertise distinctive fandom occasions in La Quinta.

When you’re on the town for longer, or need a non-golf choice, the Acrisure Enviornment (residence to the Coachella Valley Firebirds, an American Hockey League workforce) hosts a full slate of concert events and occasions all year long. Close by can also be the BMW Efficiency Heart West, a 33-acre check observe for automotive and driving fanatics.

Location

La Quinta is a picturesque metropolis inside the Coachella Valley, that includes walkable purchasing within the neo-classical “Previous City” heart and plenty of resorts and resorts 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 amenities for tennis, swimming, mountain climbing, purchasing, and a high-end spa that blends desert serenity with trendy wellness methods. There are additionally 42 swimming pools, some for households and others adults-only. Rooms begin at $285 per evening, with non-public villas for these actually in search of 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 by the desert. For the Larger Palm Springs space, the excessive season is from late November by April—these winter and early spring months when temperatures are excellent and plenty of occasions are deliberate. However loads of folks within the know go to within the shoulder months as effectively, and even the summer time “low season” to flee crowds, rating higher resort offers, and ebook reasonably priced tee instances.

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 acquired certification from the Audubon Worldwide’s Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program centered on environmental planning, wildlife and habitat administration, chemical use discount and security, water conservation, water high quality administration, and group outreach and schooling. In the course of the current restoration of the programs, general sustainability was a spotlight with new naturally pest-resistant grass and an up to date irrigation system all through the greens complexes.