Hole 9 at PGA West (TPC Stadium course)

Par 4 • 452 Yards • La Quinta, California

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Tough

The ninth hole at PGA West's Stadium Course marks the turn in Pete Dye's desert masterpiece, where golfers pause before tackling the back nine's legendary challenges. This strategic par 4 serves as a crucial scoring opportunity before players face the course's most infamous holes, including the island green "Alcatraz" that awaits later in the round.

Tees:

452y430y382y362y313y

Green:33y × 21y

Fairway @250y:51y wide

6 BunkersWater dogleg

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PGA West (TPC Stadium course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 452 yds
Green: 4122 sq ft
Bunkers: 6
Water: Yes
Course Slope: 150
Course Rating: 76.1

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

Position your tee shot to stay short of the bunkers at 197.5 yards to maintain optimal angles. A controlled drive with a 3-wood or hybrid will leave you in the wider portion of the fairway.

tee shot

The fairway widens significantly from 43 yards at the 200-yard mark to 51 yards at 250 yards, giving longer hitters more room to work with on aggressive drives.

approach

From 200-250 yards out, you'll face a demanding long iron or hybrid approach into a relatively small green measuring just 4,122 square feet - precision over power is crucial here.

green

The green's compact dimensions of 33 yards by 21 yards demand accurate approach shots - missing this target will likely result in difficult up-and-down situations on this 452-yard par 4.

hazard warning

At 452 yards, this substantial par 4 requires two quality shots - the bunkers positioned at 197.5 yards create a strategic decision point that can dictate your entire hole strategy.

train this shot at home

This 452-yard par 4 is ideal for working on your driver accuracy. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

When water is in play, commit to a conservative target. A bogey beats a big number every time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 452-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 9?

This hole is one of the tougher holes on the course for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 4, water in play, small green.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 9?

Key hazards include: water at 299.2 yards. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 9?

The green is small and requires precision. The green is wider than it is deep, rewarding shots that find the correct tier. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

What's a good score on hole 9?

This hole is one of the tougher holes where par feels like birdie. A challenging par 4. Accept that bogey happens and avoid big numbers.

Can I practice hole 9 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for PGA West (TPC Stadium course). You can play this exact 452-yard par 4 shot-by-shot at home. Entry-level options like the SkyTrak+ (around $2,500) and Garmin Approach R10 (around $600) support course play, while premium systems from Trackman and Foresight offer tour-level accuracy. Most systems pay for themselves in a season or two versus green fees and range balls. Shop home golf simulators →