Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield

The Takeaway:  While Pete Dye is often known for his punishing designs, the Mountain Course at PGA West counters with a layout that can be classified more in the "fun" category while still offering some fair challenges.  Grade B

Quick Facts

Designer:  Pete Dye in 1980

Cost:  $50 - $200 (includes cart) - Dynamic pricing model Click for current rates

Phone Number:  (760) 564-7610

Course Website:  Official Website - Visit PGA West (Mountain)'s official website by clicking on the link provided.

Directions:  Get here! - 50-200 Avenida Vista Bonita, La Quinta, California  92253 – UNITED STATES

Photos:  See additional photos of PGA West (Mountain)

What to Expect:  Now known as PGA West (Mountain) instead of La Quinta Resort & Club (Mountain), this Pete Dye design is one of the more fun and sporty layouts at the mega PGA West complex. The setting is excellent as it sits right at the base of the Santa Rosa mountains and often takes golfers next to them. All of the par fives are reachable and the course doesn't tip out very long by today's standards, but don't mistake that as the Mountain course being a pushover; Pete Dye would never allow it. That being said, the course is more enjoyable and playable for the average golfer than many Dye layouts. The early holes are taken over mostly flat terrain before the closing stretch which is highlighted by the 16th playing to a desert island green and stands as the signature hole of the course and area. You can also count on PGA West making a priority of keeping their courses in great condition, especially for the abundance of winter visitors, with greens that roll true. With all the courses to play at PGA West, the Mountain course makes an argument as the most fun of the collection.

By the Numbers

Tees	Par	Yardage	Rating	Slope
Black	72	6666	72.8	135
White	72	6280	70.8	129
Silver	72	5732	68.3	122
Gold	72	5292	66.0	116
Red (Ladies)	72	4844	69.0	120
Orange (Ladies)	72	3745	62.5	106

Individual Hole Analysis

Signature Hole:  16th Hole – 167 Yard Par 3 – The most photographed hole on the Mountain course is this island green that is surrounded by desert rockscape rather than water. The views over the distant palm trees and out to the mountains provides one of Palm Springs' finest views. The front third offers more green to play with and you can be more aggressive with pin positions found there, while the back third should be approached with more caution considering the lack of safety around the green.

Best Par 3:  2nd Hole – 205 Yards – A classic Pete Dye design, water flanks the entire left side of the hole with the right side drawing the eye of players looking to bail out. A lone bunker sits at the rear of the green staging an opportunity to catch balls coming in hot, but while a bunker often feels like a penalty, you'll be happy to find yourself in this one rather than skipping in the water.

Best Par 4:  14th Hole – 389 Yards – The 14th plays right into the base of the mountains in a majestic setting that made for a clear location for a golf hole when laying out the routing of this course. The left side of the fairway houses a quartet of bunkers, but before you decide to bail right you have to decide if it is worth the less desirable angle into the green that will require a carry over the desert to conquer. Watching your ball fly towards the green with a commanding mountain creating the backdrop on this hole is one of the great thrills of playing this Pete Dye course in the desert.

Best Par 5:  7th Hole – 492 Yards – A reachable par five, the 7th hole is characterized by the large pond on the right side that is quick to gobble up balls that are pushed or sliced off the tee. There is plenty of room to the left so there is no reason to mess with the sand or water on the right side, and the same goes on the approach shot where a bunker sits on the right side but the left side is clean. The raised green adds a bit of challenge in landing a shot on the putting surface from a long distance, but this is a hole that should be taken advantage of if you avoid the water off the tee.

Birdie Time:  4th Hole – 508 Yard Par 5 – Towering mountains frame the left side of this hole and should encourage players to hit their drive up the right half of the fairway. With just over 500 yards to cover, this hole begs players to take a rip at reaching the green in two as long as they miss the bunkers up the left side. The fairway keeps wrapping around the mountain on the left and features a bunker on the left side of the green, so there is zero reason to do anything other than keep the ball up the right side and go flag hunting on your approach.

Bogey Beware:  11th Hole – 398 Yard Par 4 – While the length isn't intimidating, the accuracy is on the 11th. Out of bounds lines both sides of the fairway and a bunker snakes through the hole before terminating on the left side and giving way to another dominant bunker that half moons around the right side of the green. While it may not be reality, at times it feels like there is more sand and out of bounds than turf to play on. Don't be a hero here and hit whatever shots you can keep straight.