Mountains, lakes and massive bunkers await at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course

Rated one of the "Top 100 Courses in the World" by Golf Magazine and fourth toughest golf course in America in Golf Digest's 2007 list of the "Top 50 Toughest Courses in America" in 2007, the TPC Stadium Course at PGA West is a serious challenge.

At 7,300 yards, the TPC Stadium Course has the highest stroke (76.1) and slope (150) ratings of all the golf courses at PGA West.

The Pete Dye-designed course provides multiple adrenaline rushes throughout the round. If you get past the island green of No. 17 -- known as Alcatraz -- you then get to face the menacing, water-lined 18th.

The golf course gets its name from Dye's plan to sculpt spectator seating into the natural terrain. With five sets of tees, the TPC Stadium Course lures all skill levels.

PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 1

The par-4, 377-yard No. 1 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course features rough guarding the fairway.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 2

The second hole at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course is short but demanding. If you challenge the bunkers on the left, it will set you up nicely for the green.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 3

You'll want to keep your tee shot down the right side for No. 3 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 4

Hitting long is better than short on No. 4 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course, because the huge bunker at the front is deep.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 5

There are a lot of chances to get your golf ball wet on No. 5 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 6

Don't be intimidated by the hole known as "Amen," the par-3 No. 6 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 7

Straight hitters will be rewarded at No. 7 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course in La Quinta.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 8

You get a break from the water on No. 8 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course, but you get an abundance of bunkers.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium golf course - No. 9

You'll want to keep your drive down the left, away from the water, at No. 9 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 10

If you get in trouble on No. 10 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course there is a bail-out area right of the green.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 11

Avoid the bunkers left on No. 11 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course. The green is long, undulating and well guarded.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 12

Stay on the green, and avoid the bunker around the green at No. 12 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 13

Stay right and stay dry at No. 13 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course in La Quinta, Calif.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 14

Avoid the greenside bunker on the left at all costs at No. 14 on PGA West's TPC Stadium Course in La Quinta, Calif.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 15

Long is better than short thanks to the bunkers on No. 15 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 16

You'll dodge bunkers all along No. 16 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course. But definitely avoid the deep one on the left on your approach.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 17

Also known as "Alcatraz," No. 17 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course is as hard as it looks.

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PGA West's TPC Stadium Course - No. 18

If you drive down right-center of the fairway, it will leave you with a mid-iron to the green on No. 18 at PGA West's TPC Stadium Course.

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