Hole 1 at PGA National Resort & Spa (Champion)

Par 4 • 365 Yards • Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

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Moderate

The opening hole at PGA National Resort & Spa (Champion) presents a welcoming yet strategic start to one of Florida's most respected championship layouts. This 365-yard par 4 features a straight design that allows golfers to settle into their round while demanding precision from the first swing. The tee shot plays to a generous fairway corridor, offering multiple club options depending on pin position and confidence level.

With no major hazards guarding the hole, the primary challenge lies in positioning for the approach shot to a small, well-protected green complex. The compact putting surface rewards accurate iron play and punishes wayward approaches with challenging recovery shots. Smart course management begins immediately at PGA National, where even seemingly straightforward holes require thoughtful execution to secure par and build momentum for the demanding stretch ahead.

Tees:

365y360y345y339y308y

Green:26y × 25y

Fairway @250y:12y wide

5 Bunkers dogleg

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PGA National Resort & Spa (Champion)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 365 yds
Green: 3188 sq ft
Bunkers: 5
Course Slope: 153
Course Rating: 76.1

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Hole 2

Par 4 • 437y

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Recommended Gear

Bunkers everywhere — a versatile wedge is your scoring club on this hole.

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Strategy Tips

hazard warning

This hole presents an extremely challenging tee shot with zero fairway width at the 200-yard mark, creating a significant bottleneck that demands precise club selection and accuracy.

tee shot

Consider laying up short of the 200-yard trouble zone or carrying well past it to the 250-yard mark where the fairway opens to 12 yards wide - avoid the dead zone between these distances.

approach

From the narrow 250-yard landing area, you'll face approximately a 115-yard approach shot to a compact green measuring just 26 by 25 yards, requiring precise distance control.

green

The small 3,188 square foot green demands accuracy on approach shots - missing this target will likely result in difficult up-and-down situations.

hazard warning

Be aware of bunkers positioned at 369.8 yards - while beyond typical driving distance, aggressive players attempting to cut corners or playing downwind should factor in this hazard.

train this shot at home

This 365-yard par 4 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

With bunkers guarding the green, pick the side with the most room and let the slope feed the ball toward the pin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 365-yard par 4, most players will hit 3-wood or driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 1?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: small green.

How big is the green on hole 1?

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

What's a good score on hole 1?

This hole is a medium-length test where par is a solid result. A straightforward par 4 where course management pays off.

Can I practice hole 1 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 365-yard par 4 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 →