Course of the Week: PGA National Resort

PGA National Resort, which opened in 1981, has seen decades of dramatic PGA Senior Championships, the dynamic Ryder Cup, and years of exciting PGA Honda Classic

The legendary locale offers 90 holes of golf on five courses, including the Champion Course, the Palmer, the Squire, the Fazio and the Estates.

The resort’s Palmer Course reopened Nov. 1 after undergoing a renovation over the summer.

Named after its designer, Arnold Palmer, the Palmer course is one of the more forgiving at PGA National Resort from tee to fairway, known as a risk/reward game. The open fairways and larger “Champion Bermuda” greens can be quite accommodating and invite players to take a chance if they dare – as golfers are not overly penalized for missing the fairway or primary rough on most holes here. There is a considerable amount of undulation through the fairway, presenting the opportunity for uneven lies and creative shot-making. The Palmer has a great series of finishing holes, with the 18th being one of the most scenic par 5s on the property.

Originally designed by Tom and George Fazio for major tournament play, The Champion course at PGA National Resort & Spa was redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 2014 and hosts the Honda Classic each spring on the PGA TOUR. Although The Champion has generous landing areas and spacious and accepting TifEagle greens, golfers are presented with course management challenges throughout the round. This South Florida golf resort course has five sets of tees to make the course more playable for golfers of all levels. A must-play on any avid golfer’s list, The Champion features the Bear Trap, which spans three demanding holes designed by Jack Nicklaus – listen to the designer describe it in his own words. Considered one of Florida’s most notable golf challenges, on what is unquestionably one of the best golf courses in Florida, USA Today calls the Bear Trap “one of the toughest stretches in golf.”

Last renovated: Fall 2014 (Celebration Bermuda grass, redesign of the par-4 14th hole leading up to the infamous Bear Trap with the addition of more water and bunkers, and the expansion of No. 1, No. 9, No. 15 and No. 17 to their original size)

The Gold Golf package features luxury accommodations with a private balcony or terrace, full breakfast daily in the Palm Terrace, one round per day as well as unlimited range balls and complimentary bag storage. Rates start at $279 per person from Oct. 1 – Dec. 31.

The Fall Escape and Unlimited Play package features all the highlights of the Gold Golf package above as well as complimentary daily replay rounds, 50% off daily golf clinics and access to the therapeutic Waters of the World mineral pools at the resort’s luxurious spa.

“Autumn is the ideal time of year here in South Florida to enjoy our incredible courses, outstanding accommodations and full array of resort amenities,” says Greg Saunders, Vice President, Managing Director. “We invite everyone to come visit us and discover for themselves why we’re at the pinnacle of U.S. golf destinations.”