Public

The Champions Course

PGA National Resort

Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA
Alevine236
JES383
billylds
Zack
Jordan Frost
+144
18 holesPar 727,045 yds75.2/148

About this course

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.

Rankings

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.

1873

Best in World

1674

Best in USA

141

Best in FL

Quick facts

Location
Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA
Access
Public
Year built
1981
Holes
18
Par
72
Length
7,045 yards
Difficulty
75.2/148
Course Vaults score
7.6

Getting there

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

Common questions about The Champions at PGA National Resort

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 149 logged golfers.

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.

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Course Reviews
+ 4.8
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