The Champions Course
Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA
The Champions Course at PGA National Resort, home to the famed "Bear Trap," is a brute that challenges even the world's best. Sculpted in the modern era on the flat expanse of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, its strategic water hazards and meticulously manicured Bermuda grass place a premium on risk assessment. While the course does not favor any particular shot shape, its length and tight landing areas test ball striking, particularly on approach shots into the notoriously difficult greens. Originally designed by Tom and George Fazio, The Champions underwent a significant redesign by Jack Nicklaus in 2002, solidifying its place as a formidable test. The course has been the annual host of The Classic (formerly the Honda Classic) on the PGA Tour since 2007, a proving ground where careers can be made or broken. While not generally mentioned among the most storied venues in American golf, The Champions has forged its identity through drama and difficulty, offering a stern examination of every golfer's game. The course, known for its strategic complexity and demanding finish, remains a steadfast fixture on the PGA Tour schedule, continuing to challenge and thrill players and spectators alike. Beyond championship golf, PGA National is celebrated locally for its social vibrancy. It's a place where members can also indulge in the resort's amenities.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Unranked
Best in USA
Unranked
Best in FL
Public: #51
7.6
145 players
Played here my wedding weekend and will always be a great memory of a kick start to the weekend.
Public courses closest to The Champions at PGA National Resort.
Most arrivals to PGA National Resort flow through Palm Beach International Airport, a straightforward twenty-minute drive north along Florida's Turnpike into the manicured sprawl of Palm Beach Gardens. Private aviation finds its natural home at nearby Lantana Airport, offering discreet access just minutes from the resort gates. The final miles transition from interstate efficiency to the ordered calm of championship golf country, where the resort's signature red-tile roofs and championship pedigree announce themselves with quiet confidence amid the palms and waterways of South Florida's Gold Coast.

FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The Champions at PGA National Resort has a Course Vaults score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 73 explicit golfer ratings.
The Champions was designed by Tom Fazio, George Fazio, and Jack Nicklaus.
Yes. The Champions at PGA National Resort is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at The Champions is 72.
The Champions plays 7,045 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at The Champions is 148.