PGA National Resort & Spa – As Good as it Gets for a Traveling Golfer

Few destinations have a golf pedigree as storied as PGA National Resort & Spa and its Champion Course. The legendary South Florida vacation spot’s vaunted resume includes hosting the 1983 Ryder Cup, 1987 PGA Championship, and nearly two decades of the Senior PGA Championship.

Currently, PGA National hosts The Honda Classic, one of the PGA TOUR’s premier events and the first stop on its famous “Florida Swing.” Recent tournament winners include elite TOUR players such as Rory McIlroy, Camilo Villegas, Ernie Els, Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington and Adam Scott. Harrington says that outside the majors, The Champion is “the best course we play on TOUR.” The Bear Trap took a bite out of Adam Scott, but it still wasn’t enough to knock the Aussie out of the top spot at the 2016 Honda Classic.

PGA National is also home to the trifecta of holes named “The Bear Trap” on The Champion – holes 15, 16 and 17 where designer Jack Nicklaus famously said, “It should be won or lost right here.” Why so hard? Water, water and more water. Play them at your own risk.

PGA National boasts four other excellent layouts including The Palmer – an Arnold Palmer signature course with a subtle nod to the game’s Scottish roots. Don’t miss a chance to play its splendid new Fazio Course – a thrilling renovation of “The Haig” which was the resort’s original 18-hole course opened in 1980. The shortest of the five courses at PGA National, The Squire is named after the immortal Gene Sarazen, the first golfer ever to win the professional Grand Slam. Dubbed, “the thinking man’s course”, George and Tom Fazio designed The Squire to be the ultimate test of accuracy and precision. Lastly, a short drive from resort grounds, The Estates features a masterful mixture of sand, water and lush fairways and greens. Winding through open meadows lined with Florida Pines and subtropical foliage, this course provides a scenic challenge.

For those who don’t yet play like a pro, PGA National has the distinction of being home to three of the most world renown golf schools; the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, Dave Pelz Scoring Game School and Every Ball Counts, the world’s first science-based, statistics-driven training system for golf improvement at the off-site Estates Course. Loft Golf will bring out the best in a player’s game with its custom PGA TOUR-level club fitting as well.

Long known as one of the true innovators in instruction, David Leadbetter’s creative teaching methods set the gold standard for improvement from beginners to golfing superstars like Ernie Els, Michelle Wie, and Trevor Immelman. Multi-day schools are offered as well as two- and three-day retreats and private lessons.

The “Score-Focused” program at PGA National is developed by Dave Pelz, the game’s foremost authority on the short game and putting. The curriculum encompasses distance wedge shots, pitching, chipping, sand play and putting. PGA TOUR professionals such as Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, and Mike Weir have all relied upon Pelz’s master instruction. A variety of classes are available.

Every Ball Counts offers players of all levels a unique goal-based improvement methodology validated by PGA TOUR players and elite Olympic athletes for over 30 years. The training center is specifically designed to seamlessly incorporate all aspects of golf performance. A key focus at Every Ball Counts is to develop a knowledge and understanding of the desired mental state conducive to the production of efficient and repeatable golf swings. EBC teaches the player to perform the same golf swing whether in practice, club championships or The Masters.

PGA National also offers individual golf lessons from PGA Instructor and Certified Titleist Performance Institute Level 2 Coach Steve Cox. Cox is passionate about teaching all skill levels and assisting elite professionals. He’s a Certified Trackman Coach as well as an expert on new player development programs backed by the PGA of America, Titleist Performance Institute, and Aimpoint Green Reading.

One would think PGA National would simply rest on its golf laurels. However, that’s not the case as the legendary resort just unveiled its recent $125 million revitalization that has turned entire property into a spectacular “must visit” vacation destination. Guest rooms are generously sized with private balconies and modern work stations with iPad docking stations. In addition to 339 renovated standard rooms and 40 two-bedroom cottages, the resort offers specialty suites. One-bedroom media suites feature large HDTVs, gaming consoles and sectional sofas. These “specialty” suites are ideal for golf buddy trips, football “big game” weekends and group getaways. Guests will discover luxurious high-tech living areas with stunning property views from a private terrace or balcony and creature comforts galore.

Most notable is the new 33,000-square-foot high-tech Sports & Racquet Club which recently underwent an impressive $4 million comprehensive facelift. Upgrades include state-of-the-art exercise equipment, indoor racquet ball court, three aerobics studios with new sound systems, five-lane saltwater lap pool, spin room with video road mapping, indoor volleyball court, two lighted pickle / paddle ball courts, 18 Har-Tru tennis courts (11 lit for night play) and one lighted hard court with a hitting wall.

The Sports & Racquet Club also offers more than 75 classes weekly and is staffed by 12 nationally certified personal trainers focused on individual service. Classes include yoga, Pilates Barre, Zumba, belly dancing, Tabata Boot Camp, Tai Chi, and an array of dance, strength and cardio sessions. TRX, cardio boxing, kickboxing, rowing and heavy ropes offer a higher intensity workout.

Before or after a rough day on the course indulge in one of more than 100 treatments offered by The Spa and Salon at PGA National, which has long been a spa destination favorite. The Spa blends stunning surroundings, lavish amenities, and impeccable personal service with the ancient restorative powers of “The Waters of The World” — a collection of healing mineral pools with salts imported from around the globe. Whether you desire an invigorating massage or a specially designed treatment, it is all here at this 40,000 square-foot sanctuary.

Those who prefer some R&R can lounge in the zero-entry pool or savor some of the finest cuisine on PGA Boulevard with nine onsite dining options. Chef driven Ironwood Steak and Seafood radiates elegance and sophistication. This contemporary American Steak and Seafood house takes a wonderfully fresh and unexpected approach to classic steaks and local, fresh, Florida seafood. The classy iBAR in the lobby is the perfect spot to recount your fortunes or misfortunes on The Champion’s Bear Trap, while iDeck provides stunning views of the property’s serene landscaping, picturesque pool area, and tranquil lake, making it ideal for dining under the stars.

Play at PGA National Resort & Spa with golf packages that fit like a custom set. PGA National’s most popular golf offer, the Gold Golf package features a daily round on one of the resort’s five layouts (surcharge for The Champion Course). Rates start at $279 (per person, per night, double occupancy).

The Unlimited Escape and Play golf package starts at $94.50 for the summer and $279 for the fall (per person, per night, double occupancy). Guests enjoy daily golf on The Champion (surcharge), Palmer, Fazio, Squire and Estates courses with complimentary replay rounds for cart fee only (booked after daily round completion).

Included in both golf stay-and-plays are nightly deluxe accommodations, complimentary cart fees and club storage, access to PGA TOUR quality practice facilities with unlimited range balls, and full daily breakfast in the Palm Terrace. Resort fees and taxes are additional for both offers.

If you’re a traveling golfer, PGA National Resort & Spa is just about as good as it gets. For more information visit www.pgaresort.com, or call (800) 533.9386.