Whistling Straits
One of the things that makes the game of golf so special is that we have the chance to play on the same venues as the pros.Â
It’s not like you can book a time to play a game of baseball at Yankee Stadium, play a little pick-up football on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, or lace up your kicks for a little 5-on-5 basketball at the TD Garden in Boston.
But in golf, you can! We are lucky enough to have access to many of the same facilities as the best players in the world and can choose to test our game from the exact same playing conditions that they face if we choose to do so.
In our game, nothing is better than the Majors, and we’re happy to report that there are several venues that are publicly accessible that have hosted the PGA Championship over the years. We’ve taken the liberty of highlighting a few of these for you here today.
Kiawah Island
Whistling Straits: Straits Course, Haven, WI; Hosted in 2004, 2010, and 2015
The result of the genius of Pete Dye alongside the visionary Herb Kohler, Jr., The Straits Course at Whistling Straits feels like it was destined to be a site for major championship golf. The course is epic and features arguably the best collection of par-3s you’ll find anywhere in golf. For our in-depth look into the property, see our story here.
Whistling Straits
Kiawah Island Golf Resort: Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, SC; Hosted in 2012 and 2021
Speaking of Pete Dye, the oceanside gem that is the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is nothing short of spectacular. A true test through and through, this venue is among the best in the world and features 5 golf courses available to the public onsite to round out your next golf getaway. Learn more about this amazing course here.
Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course
Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, CA; Hosted in 1977
As one of the true iconic destinations in the game of golf, Pebble Beach is synonymous with luxury and a first-class experience. The price tag may be hefty here, but so is the experience. For a full preview of the resort, see our piece here.
Pebble Beach
Pinehurst Resort & Country Club: No. 2, Pinehurst, NC; Hosted in 1936
The home of American Golf. Pinehurst Resort continues to amaze us with all the recent investments they’ve made into the property, and there’s no doubt that the crown jewel of the Pinehurst experience is Donald Ross’ masterpiece known as No. 2. The greens here can drive a sane man crazy, and you’ll love every minute of the experience on this epic property. For a full dive into the resort, see our story here.
Pinehurst No. 2
Bethpage State Park: Black Course, Famingdale, NY; Hosted in 2019
The muni to top all munis. Bethpage Black, as it is affectionately known as to the golfing masses, is all that is right with golf in America. This course is an absolute beast, and as the sign on the first tee says it is only recommended for play by highly skilled golfers. The golfers of New York get a priority on booking here, but if you plan accordingly, you can get on here and for an incredible rate based on the quality of golf that you receive here. For more information on the course, see our story here.Â
Bethpage Black
French Lick Resort: The Donald Ross Course, French Lick, IN; Hosted in 1924
This Midwestern classic Donald Ross design offers a phenomenal experience for golfers from all over to enjoy at an extremely affordable rate for what you get here. Once you’re here, it’s an absolute must to play The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort as well as this is one of the best 1-2 combinations of golf courses at a golf resort in the United States. Click here to learn more about this fantastic property.
French Lick’s Donald Ross course
TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, CA; Hosted in 2020
Known as the first TPC venue to ever host a major championship, TPC Harding Park was the gift that the golfing world needed in August 2020 as we were coming out of the early days of the pandemic and this incredible venue gave us an epic event that led to Collin Morikawa’s first major championship victory. The course was the star of the show that week, and the San Francisco municipal golf course offers incredible rates to both locals and visitors from far and wide.
TPC Harding Park
PGA Frisco, Frisco Texas; Will Host in 2027 and 2034
The newest addition to publicly accessible PGA Championship venues is the new Omni PGA Frisco Resort. Located adjacent to the new headquarters of the PGA of America, this resort will feature two 18-hole golf courses, a lighted 10-hole short course, and a 2-acre putting course for golfers to enjoy. We’re excited to see this property hit the big stage in 2027.
PGA Frisco
PGA National Resort & Spa: The Champion Course, Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Hosted in 1971 and 1987
From the new home of the PGA of America to their former home in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, PGA National Resort & Spa has recently undergone a massive renovation to the property giving it a modern flair that guests are sure to love. The Champion Course here has hosted the PGA Championship twice and has served as the home of the Honda Classic on the PGA Tour for many years. For a look at this epic design, see our exclusive drone footage here.
Firestone Country Club: South Course, Akron, OH; Hosted in 1960, 1966, and 1975
This one may be a bit surprising for some of you to be reading on this list as Firestone Country Club has only recently over the last few years opened up the ability to enjoy this monumental property to a select number of stay and play guests. With 54 holes onsite to enjoy, there’s a reason why this Ohio icon has hosted major championships, PGA Tour events, and PGA Tour Champions’ events for so many years.
Firestone
Seaview Resort: Bay and Pines Courses, Galloway, NJ; Hosted in 1942
Located in Atlantic City, New Jersey, golfers can enjoy two exceptional golf courses in a destination that is known for more than one type of green if you know what we mean. The resort features 36-holes of world-class golf, and the 1942 PGA Championship that was hosted here was the site of Sam Snead’s first major and featured a routing that included 9 holes from the Bay Course and 9 holes from the Pines Course.
Seaview’s Bay Course
Keller Golf Course, Maplewood, MN; Hosted in 1932 and 1954
Owned and operated by Ramsey County in Minnesota, Keller Golf Course is certainly one of the most affordable courses you will ever find that has hosted the level of events that it has to date. Maxing out at $69 for 18 holes with a cart in 2023, the value here is tough to beat.
Keller Golf Course
Tanglewood Park: Championship Course, Clemmons, NC; Hosted in 1974
Speaking of great deals for a former PGA Championship venue host, the Championship Course at Tanglewood Park maxes out at $50 to play this historic Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design where Lee Trevino edged out Jack Nicklaus by a single stroke to win the 1974 PGA Championship. What a steal!
Tanglewood
Eisenhower Park: Red Course, East Meadow, NY, Hosted in 1926
Another muni that makes the list is the Red Course at Eisenhower Park located just 20 minutes away from the previously mentioned Bethpage Black course on Long Island, New York. Like Bethpage, getting a tee time can be quite difficult as locals get first access to the tee sheet, and while it certainly isn’t as prestigious as Bethpage Black it is known by locals to be a fun and friendly layout.
Eisenhower Red
Shawnee Inn & Resort Golf Course, Shawnee on Delaware, PA; Hosted in 1938
Located in the Poconos, The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort is an affordable stay and play destination that offers a relatively flat golf course design versus some of the hillier courses in the area. The first course designed by the legendary A.W. Tillinghast, this course features 27 holes located on an island in the middle of the Delaware River.
Shawnee Inn & Resort
Hershey Country Club: West Course, Hershey, PA; Hosted in 1940
Available only to members and guests of the Hershey Lodge, Hershey Country Club’s West Course is a traditional design that hosted the PGA Championship in 1940. Located in the same city where the famous chocolatier is headquartered, Hershey Country Club also features the 18-hole East Course and the fun and friendly Spring Creek 9-hole short course.
Hershey’s West Course
Cedar Crest Golf Course, Dallas, TX; Hosted in 1927
Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas, Texas provides golfers with an A.W. Tillinghast design that was the site of a PGA Championship won by Walter Hagen.Â
Cedar Crest
Belmont Golf Course (formerly Hermitage Golf Club), Richmond, VA; Hosted in 1949
Another A.W. Tillinghast design, Belmont Golf Course (as it is known today) received an update from Love Golf Design in 2020 to restore some of the original design to holes 7-18 on the course. This course uniquely offers an 18-hole routing, a 12-hole routing, and an 18-hole putting course for golfers to enjoy.
Belmont Golf Course