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

"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."

"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."

PGA West in La Quinta features nine full-size courses across a 2,000-acre campus with five open to the public year-round. The Pete Dye Stadium Course is a 7,300-yard championship layout with a famous island green on the 17th, a course rating of 76 and slope of 148. Recent multimillion-dollar restorations and a new, state-of-the-art training facility support both practice and play. The property hosts the annual American Express PGA Tour tournament each January and offers top-tier dining and amenities. Warm, dry winter weather and varied course designs make the resort suitable for golfers of all skill levels.

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