Hole 18 at PGA National Resort & Spa (Champion)

Par 5 • 556 Yards • Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

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Challenging

The 18th hole at PGA National Resort & Spa (Champion) serves as a dramatic finale to one of Florida's most challenging championship layouts. This straight par 5 stretching 556 yards demands precision and power, with the famous Bear Trap's psychological pressure still lingering from the previous holes. The tee shot opens to a generous fairway that gradually narrows toward the green complex, requiring golfers to carefully position their drive for the optimal approach angle. Despite the absence of major water hazards on this concluding hole, the small green demands surgical accuracy on the final approach, making distance control paramount. Strategic layup positioning becomes crucial for setting up a manageable scoring opportunity to cap off this legendary South Florida test.

Tees:

556y546y527y507y456y

Green:24y × 32y

Fairway @250y:24y wide

16 BunkersWaterright dogleg

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PGA National Resort & Spa (Champion)

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Hole Stats

Par: 5
Yardage: 556 yds
Green: 3541 sq ft
Bunkers: 16
Water: Yes
Course Slope: 153
Course Rating: 76.1

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Hole 17

Par 3 • 172y

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A dependable fairway wood can turn this par 5 into a real birdie chance.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

Position your tee shot carefully as the fairway is extremely narrow at just 12 yards wide at the 200-yard mark, then opens up to 24 yards at 250 yards. Consider laying up short of 200 yards with a controlled iron or hybrid to stay in the wider portion of the fairway.

approach

Be aware of bunkers positioned at 272 yards from the tee. If you can carry your drive past 250 yards into the wider fairway section, you'll have a cleaner approach shot without having to navigate around these hazards.

green

The green measures 24 yards by 32 yards (3,541 sq ft), making it a moderately-sized target. With the length being 556 yards, most players will have a mid-to-long iron into this green, so focus on hitting to the center of the green rather than attacking pins.

tee shot

At 556 yards, this par-5 offers birdie opportunities for longer hitters who can navigate the narrow 12-yard fairway at 200 yards. Consider using a 3-wood or driving iron off the tee to ensure accuracy through the tight section.

approach

The dramatic difference between the 12-yard width at 200 yards versus 24 yards at 250 yards means course management is crucial. If you can't comfortably reach the 250-yard wider section, play conservatively short of the 200-yard bottleneck.

train this shot at home

This 556-yard par 5 is ideal for working on your driver accuracy. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

Scoring on par 5s starts with a smart second shot. Laying up to your favorite wedge distance gives you the best birdie chance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can this par 5 be reached in two?

At 556 yards, A true three-shot hole for most players. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge distance.

How difficult is hole 18?

This hole is one of the tougher holes on the course for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 5, water in play, small green.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 18?

Key hazards include: water at 265.2 yards. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 18?

The green is small and requires precision. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

What's a good score on hole 18?

This hole is a true three-shot hole where birdie requires execution. This longer par 5 demands patience. Two good shots set up the scoring opportunity.

Can I practice hole 18 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for PGA National Resort & Spa (Champion). You can play this exact par 5 shot-by-shot at home. Entry-level options like the SkyTrak+ (around $2,500) and Garmin Approach R10 (around $600) support course play, while premium systems from Trackman and Foresight offer tour-level accuracy. Most systems pay for themselves in a season or two versus green fees and range balls. Shop home golf simulators →