Play Like a Pro on the Iconic Golf Courses at PGA West in La Quinta

Described by professional players as one of the most scenic places to golf, PGA WEST is poised to complete a multiyear restoration project in November 2024 with the reopening of the Pete Dye Stadium Course. Award-winning golf architect Tim Liddy, who worked with Dye for almost 30 years, led the charge.

“It has been an honor to work on one of Mr. Dye’s most iconic golf courses,” Liddy says. “I could hear his voice many times working on his most creative course. It was a very personal project for me, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to work on it.”

Liddy also oversaw restoration of the Mountain and Dunes courses, expanding several of the greens back to their original size, shape, and contour. While the Dunes and Mountain courses focused on refreshing the greens, the Stadium project included restoration of  bunkers, adding character and definition to the course. With great care and precision, Liddy revived hard grass edges and bunker verticality for dramatic playing conditions.

“The greens had shrunk approximately 30 percent, so expanding the greens back to their original size and slope has brought the course back to life,” Liddy says. “Many greens back against lake edges will allow for new hole locations next to the water.”

Ranked among the nation’s best courses, with five sets of tees playable for all skill levels, the par-72 Stadium course hosts The American Express tournament every January. Dye originally designed spectator seating into the natural curvature of the terrain to resemble stadium seating, giving the course its name.

“I’m looking forward to returning in January to watch how the restoration impacts the tournament,” Liddy says. “Will it play harder? We shall see.”

PGA WEST comprises nine golf courses, five of which are open to the public, including the Stadium course. Book a tee time in January to get a taste of the conditions the pros experience.