PGA National Resort & Spa

This course was excellent. Played three courses over the weekend at PGA National and this was my favorite. Wide fairways offer ease of tee shots, though you must shape the ball off some of them. Great greens that rolled very well in the afternoon heat. Not the most scenic, but do not skip this course when going to PGA National.

Really enjoyed the Palmer Course. Extremely hot out but the course was in great shape. Thanks to the staff as well. We all had a great time.

We had a great time on the Squire Course. It was in great shape and the staff was very friendly.

Extremely challenging and extremely hot outside but a ton of fun. Highly recommend this course. The staff was great, the course was in great shape, etc.

Thanks!

I don't know whether it was the course, itself, or the fact that were were on holes 37-54 of a weekend getaway with 95 degree heat, but that was a tough track. We played from the blue tees, which was about 6700 yards. Be prepared to hit mid to long irons into elevated greens with a good bit of undulation. Despite the challenge and the effects of two days of fatigue and "dehydration," we had a good time. Next time, however, I think we'll play this one first.

After only experiencing the Champ on TV and in video games, I was excited to finally get the opportunity to play it. It was closed the last time I was down there. I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed. My only complaint was that the greens had recently been punched, but that's going to happen when you play in FL in August. I still managed to mix in a few birdies, which helped ease the pain of the Bear Trap, where for the first time all day we saw 3-club winds in the face.

The course was in great shape, and we couldn't have asked for better weather. While not particularly long, you'd better be ready to hit some shots. The layout was challenging, yet fair. As usual, the PGA staff was top-notch.

This course was the first of three that I had the pleasure of playing at PGA National (I also played the Palmer and the Champion). Although this course is much shorter than the others on property, it was highly enjoyable and had some unique holes. The Squire was charmingly fair and allows golfers of all levels to enjoy themselves. Fairways were nice and wide and the greens were rolling very true.

For all of the hype the Champions Course receives on how difficult it is, I would put the Palmer course close behind it. The setup is more fair, with wider fairways and flatter greens, but the rough was thicker than the average Florida course, which really put a premium on hitting the fairway. Number eighteen is particularly difficult measuring at almost 600 yards. Overall, this course is an excellent choice while staying at PGA National.

This is definitely one of the most difficult course I have played. The setup was fair, but there is definitely a premium on the tee ball. Greens had some interesting undulations but were very receptive. The Bear Trap is an exciting stretch of three holes that were a nice balance of scenery and difficulty. I highly recommend trying this course out.

Another beautiful and well kept PGA National golf course. Designed by Jack Nick Laus's friend Arnold Palmer. This was by far the toughest challenge of the weekend at PGA National (including Champions Course) A true test of golf with the Sunday pin positions we had. Pins are tucked away with little room for landing. A lot of 180+ yard shots into greens. If that isn't enough the 18th hole is a 600 yard beast with a tight drive, hazard filled 2nd and 3rd shots and tough green. Bring a bunch of balls, this is quite the challenge.

Was warned that this course was one of the toughest on tour, but I must have been shooting lights out as I thought the Palmer was much harder. Greens were recently punched but the ball still rolled pretty good for the maintenance being as recent as it was. Some nice challenging golf holes and the bear trap did not disappoint. 16 can create a beast of an approach shot with the wind in the face. A great signature course at a great resort.

Went on a recent golf trip with a bunch of buddies down to PGA National. The Squire was the first course we played. It is not very long at around 6300 yards, but it still a very challenging course for its length. Greens were in excellent conditions and rolled very pure. Had the feeling of an old style Florida course with the trees shaping a lot of different shots on the golf course. Like most of the courses at PGA National water can be your enemy.

Playing PGA National was a great experience from valet to valet. The pro shop was well run as well as cart set up and the starter was fantastic. We played with a forecaddy who was knowledgeable and entertaining. The course itself was in amazing condition and with the tournament setup in progress it was certainly a different look to play holes with bleachers around them. The Bear Trap was a fun run of three holes with water coming into play which made for three different challenges. I would recommend this course to anyone heading to the Palm Beach area or, like myself, the drive from Miami is worth it to ply this gem. I have played over 250 courses in my life and for me this was a Top 10 course played. Condition was topnotch with fantastic greens and thick rough which made for a true test fo golf.

I got to play this course right after it reopened with new Celebration grass on the fairways, tees and collars and a renovated 14th hole by Nicklaus himself. By moving the green closer to the water, the 14th is far more interesting and more importantly away from OB. The new fairways were terrific and the course (which is cart-path only) in great shape. As is, the host of the Honda Classic is solid Florida golf, not too hard for the recreational golfer if he or she plays the right tees. The Bear Trap of 15, 16 and 17, all with carries over water, still a great test.

Staff was great. Started as a great day, then the ground crew sprayed an soaked six greens while we were at the tee box. Ball wouldn't roll. if you put your clubs on the ground they became drenched. For just under $200 a person that was ridiculous. I did email the course before sending this review but didn't hear from them.

The Bear Trap... the Legendary Nicholas course utilized for the Honda Classic. I knew I had to play it. It's a shame that PGA National had to pack a 60 man group in front of me at 8 min cycles and stack up people for an entire day. Rolling an even 9.5 to 10 in the morning and 10 to 11 in the afternoon on the Stimp... Course was great. The challenge was certainly there, but it was a waiting game and lends itself to getting off pace and frustration.

An experience of a life time. Would love to go back. My friends and I enjoyed our round of golf.

The Champion

The anticipation of playing The Champion at PGA National, venue for the upcoming Honda Classic, was probably more exciting than the reality purely because it was in tournament-ready condition with high thick rough, lightening greens and tricky pin placements. It was more hard work than the last time I played it. Still it all depends on what tee you’re using and where the pins are. Playing from the tips would make it a much more difficult test with more water in play and more risk and reward holes. It’s not as scenic or as dramatic as other tournament tracks I’ve played and you don’t hit any memorable holes until #9, where a draw around trees and water on left would be a good shot. However when Jack Nicklaus did the redesign in 2002 of the original course by Tom and George Fazio (1981), he created some subtle and interesting challenges in greens as well as his famous “Bear Trap” (holes #15,16,17) including two par 3s over water. Those are fun. The Champion was in very good condition although the staff in the staging area didn’t seem to be up to speed. No towels or tees on the cart and the GPS was a small, basic device that we were told would be replaced after the Honda. Bathrooms on course were likewise sloppy and one was out of order. I would like to give them a pass on this as we were playing close to the tournament, but the guy we were playing with had paid more than $300 and expected more.

Women? You can find a more reasonably priced and prettier course at the resort to play like The Fazio also recently redesigned (Tom Fazio, 2014) but if you want to play where the pros play and plan on watching the Honda, go ahead, pay your money and play from the forward tees at 5,145 yards or step back to the greens at 5,581. You won’t encounter any really long carries and if you take a caddy, you’ll enjoy your day even more.

While I have been to PGA National to play before I had yet to play the Palmer course at this fine resort. While the champion gets most of the publicity as the host of the Honda Classic (and a fantastic course as well) the Palmer was just as much fun to play. It is a true resort course as it is very playable from any set if tees especially off the tee with wide fairways and plenty of room to miss. The greens can be a little challenging which can give even the experienced golfer something to think about. The greens were in perfect shape and had some nice speed to them. Played in under 4 hours as the 3rd group off. Excellent condition as well. In my opinion you need to go to PGA National but not just for the Champion course.