PGA National Championship course is originally designed by Tom and George Fazio. It has been redesigned by Jack Nicklaus and is home to the Honda Classic. It is also known for the Bear Trap which are the last 3 holes on the course.
PGA National was a course I had being looking forward to playing. We rented a house within the resort and overlooking the golf course. This was great and we were close to the facilities for practising. We also used the pool facilities in the clubhouse which had recently undergone renovation and was great for the whole family.
the course
Hole 1 is a short par 4 with a green well protected by a large bunker. Relatively easy start to the course.
my experience
I played really well on the front nine and shot 37. I found the back nine significantly more difficult and the Bear Trap really got me. The back nine seems more narrow and demanding on precision from tee to green. As you can tell below I almost hit all GIR on the front nine and only 1 on the back nine.
I was disappointed by PGA National course and had expected more. It is a typical resort style course and even though the Bear Trap is a good and challenging experience the remainder of the course is nothing special. The condition was average and overall not an experience I will go back for, as there are so many other great courses in Florida that I would rather play.
my score
