Overview
Desert-links minimalism forty feet below sea level
18 Holes
72 Par
7,156 Yards Black tees
136 Slope Rating 74.6
Greg Norman's design philosophy at PGA West was the opposite of Pete Dye's — where Dye maximised difficulty through penal architecture, Norman built a course that favours the player who can work the ball along the ground and manufacture shots through and around the waste areas. With only 68 acres of mowable grass, the crushed-marble waste areas aren't a framing device but the primary playing surface, and golfers who understand how to use the ground game effectively will score well here when players relying on aerial approaches struggle. The 40-feet-below-sea-level elevation has a subtle effect on atmospheric conditions and ball flight that regular desert golfers may not initially account for. The annual Prestige tournament each Presidents Day weekend tests the course at the competitive level, and the 2021 restoration brought it back to Norman's original specifications. The PGA West Golf Academy on-site serves all five PGA West courses.
Golf Digest Best Courses You Can Play in Palm Springs (featured) 2025
Before You Play
At PGA West – Greg Norman Course
Caddie's Notes
4 things worth knowing before your round — from tee selection to where to eat when you're done.
01
Course Character & Design
Greg Norman's only Coachella Valley design takes a fundamentally different approach from PGA West's Pete Dye courses — where Dye maximized difficulty through penal architecture, Norman built a desert-links layout that favors the player who can work the ball both directions. Just 68 acres of irrigated turf, half the footprint of its PGA West siblings, means native desert is constantly in play. The course sits 40 feet below sea level on a prehistoric ocean bed, and the 102 white crushed-marble bunkers against terra cotta mountains create a visual palette unlike anything else in the valley.
02
Signature Holes
The desert-links character means the signature experience is cumulative rather than concentrated in one or two holes — the firm, fast conditions and reduced irrigated acreage demand creative shotmaking throughout. Water comes into play on nine holes, and the crushed-marble bunkers are both visually striking and strategically positioned to punish the typical high-handicapper's miss pattern. The 2021 restoration sharpened the course's original intent.
03
Course Conditions
TifEagle Bermuda greens on a links-style layout mean firm, fast putting surfaces that reward running approach shots — a departure from the target-golf mentality most desert courses encourage. The reduced irrigated footprint means the fairway-to-desert transition is abrupt; offline shots are genuinely penalized. The 2021 restoration brought the course back to Norman's original specifications.
04
Before You Play
The PGA West Golf Academy and full grass range serve all five resort courses — arrive early for a proper warm-up. Walking is allowed and the links-style routing makes it more practical than on the mountain courses. Wallaby's West is the on-course dining option. La Quinta Resort & Club provides the stay-and-play base. Green fees of $200–$275 position the Norman as the most consistently priced PGA West course, without the seasonal extremes of the Stadium or Nicklaus.
Course Details
The Essentials
Designer Greg Norman
Opened 1999
Access Resort
Course Type Desert (links-style)
Walking Walk or ride
Caddies Not available
Greens TifEagle Bermuda
Fairways Bermuda
Short Game Area Yes
Driving Range Grass
Club Rental Available
GPS Carts Included
Golf Trail La Quinta / Indio
Instruction PGA West Golf Academy
Dining Wallaby's West
Lodging La Quinta Resort & Club
Green Fees $200 – $275
Best Months November-April
Peak Season January-April
Nearest Airport PSP · 30 min
Notable Features
The only Greg Norman design in the Coachella Valley, opened 1999 as PGA West's newest course; a true desert-links layout with just 68 acres of irrigated turf — half the footprint of its PGA West siblings; 102 white crushed-marble bunkers and water on nine holes; the course sits 40 feet below sea level on a prehistoric ocean bed ringed by terra cotta mountains; restored 2021; hosts the annual Prestige tournament each Presidents Day weekend.
Tee Information
Scorecard
| Tee | Gender | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | M | 72 | 7,156 | 74.6 | 136 |
| Black/Blue | M | 72 | 6,917 | 73.3 | 133 |
| Blue | M | 72 | 6,671 | 72 | 130 |
| Blue/White | M | 72 | 6,427 | 70.8 | 127 |
| White | M | 72 | 6,227 | 70 | 124 |
| White/Gold | M | 72 | 5,952 | 68.5 | 120 |
| Gold | M | 72 | 5,751 | 67.4 | 117 |
| Gold/Red | M | 72 | 5,523 | 66.1 | 114 |
| Red | M | 72 | 5,297 | 65 | 111 |
| Red/Silver | M | 72 | 4,628 | 61.9 | 102 |
| Silver | M | 72 | 3,978 | 58.9 | 94 |
Ratings and yardages are approximate and may vary by season. Verify with the pro shop before your round.
Photo Gallery
PGA West – Greg Norman Course in Pictures
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Getting Here
Location
PGA West – Greg Norman Course
55955 PGA Boulevard, La Quinta, CA 92253
✈ PSP — approx. 30 min La Quinta
⛳ PGA West – Nicklaus Tournament — Less than 1 mile away
FAQ
Common Questions
The Greg Norman Course is the most approachable of the five — it's the shortest setup, the most forgiving design, and the best introduction to PGA West's playing conditions before taking on the Dunes, Mountain, Nicklaus Tournament, or Stadium courses.
It's the only desert-links design in the group — just 68 acres of turf versus the other courses' fuller footprints. The 102 crushed-marble waste bunkers and minimal grass create an aesthetic closer to a Southwest desert course than a traditional resort layout.
Yes — ryegrass overseeding runs November through March. Expect variable conditions during transition windows in late October/November and March/April.
