PGA National Resort & Spa

PGA National is a massive golf resort complex with 5 championship golf courses, and was the original home of the PGA back in the 1960's. The courses are only accessible to guests of the resort and members, and are pricey by Florida standards. Four of the five courses are on site, the fifth, the Estate is a few miles away. The Palmer, used to be known as the General was designed by Arnold Palmer, and is flat and open, a links-style course with grass bunkering and mounding, and water hazards on 16 holes. It plays to 6700 yards, 134 slope from the championship tees, but there are 4 other sets available. Interesting layout, forgiving, where you can keep the driver out on most holes. The Fazio course, formerly the Haig, was designed by Tom Fazio, and can play to 6800 yards with a 135 slope from the back tees. There's water on 16 holes, and 50+ traps, and is a difficult and challenging course, not for the high handicapper. Mostly, a Florida style course with a lot of water, tight fairways. The Squire, also designed by Fazio, is 6400+ yards, and a tough 139 slope, kind of a links, open type of layout and the shortest of the courses here. Great collection of par threes. The Estate course, a short drive from the resort, was designed by Karl Litten, and can play to 6700 yards with a 138 slope, water on every hole, well bunkered. The Champion, was originally a George and Tom Fazio design, but was redesigned in 1990 by Jack Nicklaus. It was the site of the Ryder Cup in 1983 and the P.G.A. Championship in 1987, PGA Seniors' Championship from 1982 through 2000, and is the current home of the Honda Classic. The course is 7100 yards, 147 slope from the tournament tees. and is definitely the toughest track here. Unlike the other courses, the greens on the Champ are large with a good amount of undulations, and relatively fast. There's a lot of bunkering, ala Nicklaus, and water hazards on 17 holes. The 15th, 16th and 17th holes are called the Bear Trap, where Nicklaus thought your round really needed to be tested. The landing areas are somewhat generous, but off the tee sometimes are deceiving. Overall the best layout here, and it's always fun to play a PGA Tour course. The resort is a great place to stay for all the golf you need, and a spa for the wife. The pool areas were very well done, and the resort has just been through some updating and rennovation. Excellent guest service, and the food and beverage offered a lot of dining options, and was excellent overall.

Published by: Phillip