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's got about 50 bunkers and water is in play on 16 holes. It plays to 6700 yards, 134 slope from the championship tees, but there are 4 other sets available. The back nine, is more narrow with rolling and tumbling fairways, and more bunkers. The greens are smaller, with decent roll and speed. Interesting layout, probably the more forgiving, where you can keep the driver out on most holes. The Haig, was named after Walter Hagen, and 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. Very similar to all of the other courses here,save the Champ, with small, raised greens with a moderate amount of break. Mostly, a Florida style course with a lot of water, tight fairways. The Squire, is named after Gene Sarazen, also designed by Fazio is 6400+ yards, and a tough 139 slope, kind of a links, more open type of layout and the shortest of the courses here. Less trees, but more water, on all but one hole, moderate amount of bunkering, smallish greens, similar to the other courses here. Great collection of par threes. The Estate course, a short drive from the resort, and was designed by Karl Litten, and can play to 6700 yards with a 138 slope, water on every hole, well bunkered. Not to sound redundant, but the layout is very similar to the rest of the courses, and to Florida courses in general. Because it's removed from the resort, it gets less play and is a bit less expensive, and is of similar quality and conditioning as the other courses. It's might be more open in spots, and the greens aren't as challenging, and may be the more forgiving of all of the courses here. The Champ, was originally a George and young 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, the PGA Seniors' Championship was played there 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 a great layout, 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.