PGA National Resort: Champion

Palm Beach Gardens, FL • Private

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Overview

One of five courses at PGA National, the Champion Course hosts the Honda Classic every year. Originally designed by Tom and George Fazio for tournament play, Jack Nicklaus redesigned the course in 2014, creating the infamous three-hole stretch aptly named "The Bear Trap." Routinely one of the toughest courses on Tour, The Champion is a true ball-striking test.

About

Holes 18

Length 7045

Slope 148

Facility Type Private

Designer Thomas Fazio, ASGCA

Awards

Best in State: Ranked inside the top 20, 1987. Ranked 40th, 2021-'22.

Current ranking: 38th.

Panelists

Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists

100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot Options

6.9648

Character

6.6125

Challenge

7.3731

Layout Variety

6.8727

Fun

6.6431

Aesthetics

6.5869

Conditioning

6.9047

Reviews

1 / 10

Review

“A good tough resort course where the pros say it is difficult. Play up."

2023

2 / 10

Review

“The annual host of the Honda Classic, PGA National's Champion Course is the most notable layout at a bustling resort. A fairly typical Florida course, this terrain is nearly dead flat and plays around plenty of water and bunkers. The conditioning was very strong, and the course features thicker non-Bermuda rough which I found unique for the area. As a PGA Tour course, PGA National can play very challenging especially when the wind blows. The course's closing stretch nicknamed the "Bear Trap" is very memorable with four difficult holes playing over and around water. The 16th and 18th in particular provide the golfer numerous options and are very good holes. Unfortunately, you have to stay on property to play, but I did enjoy this course and think it's a fun, worthwhile play."

2023

3 / 10

Review

“Long, tight, and difficult. Definitely built for a tour event. A bit repetitive of a routing with holes feeling/playing similar to ones played earlier in the round. The short par 4 4th hole was the most interesting on the property."

2022

4 / 10

Review

“It is always fun to play where the pros play. This course hosts the tournament on the Florida swing. The greens are fast and firm. The course is a typical Florida course. It is flat and goes through the neighborhoods. I love the par 3 holes and the Beartrap is a fun thing to tell your friends about."

2021

5 / 10

Review

“If you enjoy getting your brain challenged for 18 holes, I strongly recommend this course and surviving the bear trap is greatest feat of all."

2020

6 / 10

Review

“The Bear Trap is memorable; course is challenging but playable for most all handicaps with scoring opportunities. In great shape, greens are firm, fast and true. Wind is a major factor. Other than the Bear Trap, course could be any parkland course, anywhere."

2019

7 / 10

Review

“Course is a true championship test. Course features don't jump out at you but design is subtle and keeps you thinking throughout the round. Course conditions were good-not great."

2018

8 / 10

Review

“It is the little things and the details on the course that add up to a great playing experience. Without focusing on the features, some visitors might just see another flat Florida course with ponds. But it is more than this. And then there is the photo op with the bear statue at the beginning of the Bear Trap - fun stuff. And, great staff!"

2018

9 / 10

Review

“Overrated and over priced. Bear trap is just as hard as they say on TV, but course is nothing fantastic. Not worth the $$$"

2018

10 / 10

Review

“So how is a course that hosts the famous Honda Classic under 4 stars? The Bear Trap is the toughest and most creative 3 holes in golf, and the rest of the course is very well designed. It's also clear how manufactured it all is. From the guy in the boat spraying chemicals to make the water bluer, to the man made plantings throughout it's pretty clear that this is a course meant for attracting tv viewers. It's setup to be on display one week a year and give us all a great show. It does an amazing job at that! The rest of the year it is an average maintained public golf course. Still worth a play if you are in the area. It's a blast seeing where you hit the ball off the tips compared to the line Rory may take off the tee on 18."

2018