Mapping the course for the 100th PGA Championship

In 2005 and 2006, Bellerive’s original Robert Trent Jones design underwent a complete makeover by his son Rees Jones. The renovation reduced the size of the greens from around 9,000 square feet to just over 8,000. At the same time, the increase from three to four sections (“target areas”) made the greens even more demanding, because the penalty for missing the correct target section left players with a much more difficult putt. Fairways have been sloped toward bunkers and the rough, making it crucial to hit the fairway. For the tourney, the course will be set up as a par 70, around 7,350 yards, with only two par 5s (compared to 1992, when it played as a 7,148-yard par 71, and 1965, when it played as a par 70 at 7,191 yards). As the current crop of players competing for the Wanamaker Trophy will discover, there’s still a lot of bite in Bellerive.

Hole 1 (Par: 4 / Yardage: 420)

Players will hit anything from a 3-iron to a driver off the tee, ideally avoiding the three fairway bunkers. Two bunkers guard the front of the wide, shallow green.

Hole 2 (Par: 4 / Yardage: 411)

Longer hitters may play tee shots deep down the fairway to avoid the water at left; those hitting tee shots for position must play over the lake to the green. The bunker at the right side of the green must be avoided.

Hole 3 (Par: 3 / Yardage: 145)

Playing over water to the green, players may opt to go left to avoid the pond while avoiding the bunker at back left. Those finding the correct spot on the green could see their tee shots funneled toward the hole; a flag tucked at the back right, near the water, might provide some dramatic moments.

Hole 4 (Par: 4 / Yardage: 515)

Typically a par 5 for members, the fourth has two fairway bunkers down the right. Five more bunkers—two short of the green by some 50 yards and three more at the front of the putting surface—also await. Approaches may be made with the use of a hybrid or long iron; players who can come in high and soft will have the best opportunity to get close.

Hole 5 (Par: 4 / Yardage: 470)

The fairway runs downhill about 270 yards off the tee, with shots kicking to the right, making a precise shot paramount. Players will then face an uphill approach to a green fronted by three bunkers, with the best chance for birdie coming when the pin’s on the green’s left side.

Hole 6 (Par: 3 / Yardage: 200)

Two green-side bunkers will eat more than their share of tee shots as players look to avoid the pond that fronts the green. With a swale in the middle of the green, players who find the putting surface when the hole is in the middle will have a great shot at birdie.

Hole 7 (Par: 4 / Yardage: 373–390)

With several trees that used to guard the green’s left side removed, getting the ball close off the tee is possible. But five bunkers—including two near the green—might make players think twice. And with a creek running near the left side of the green, players must be wary of ending up in the water.

Hole 8 (Par: 5 / Yardage: 600)

The first of two par 5s, the hole’s much different than it was in 1992, with the tee now located across the creek. Players can hit a soft draw around the corner. Four green-side bunkers will force many to lay up, though birdies are a possibility.

Hole 9 (Par: 4 / Yardage: 437)

The fairway slopes to the edges, funneling shots toward the rough on the right or into the bunkers guarding the left. On the approach, players face an uphill shot to a challenging green. Spectators looking for an exciting vantage point might position themselves behind the green.

Hole 10 (Par: 4 / Yardage: 500)

Another par 5 for members, this long par 4 may spur many players to opt for a driver off the tee. The green is wide but shallow. The hole’s likely to yield few birdies.

Hole 11 (Par: 4 / Yardage: 295–355)

Many players will go for the green off the tee, playing the left side to avoid the creek and the pond guarding the green’s right side. A front hole location is likely to see a number of birdies; if the hole is on the shelf at back right, however, par will be a good score.

Hole 12 (Par: 4 / Yardage: 450–460)

Playing from an elevated tee, this dogleg left is a typical Robert Trent Jones “tough par, easy bogey” hole. A good drive will leave a short iron to the green, flanked by bunkers on either side.

Hole 13 (Par: 3 / Yardage: 180)

Bunkers protect the green on both sides, and a creek runs along the right. The large green has a ridge running through the middle, funneling tee shots toward a middle hole location. A back right pin position should prove an entertaining location.

Hole 14 (Par: 4 / Yardage: 410)

An area known as The Ridge, comprising holes 14–16, begins with this scenic hole, which rolls from right to left, with bunkers down the right and a ravine and trees at left. Most players hit less than a driver off the tee, leaving anything from a sand wedge to a 9-iron to the contoured green.

Hole 15 (Par: 4 / Yardage: 490)

Off the tee, many will land near the lone bunker at left. Two large front bunkers and a back bunker guard the wide-but-shallow green.

Hole 16 (Par: 3 / Yardage: 230)

Two large bunkers nearly 12 feet below the putting surface ensure a difficult up and down after errant shots. With challenging hole locations, the large, deep green could make it especially difficult for players to find the putting surface, especially against a southerly breeze.

Hole 17 (Par: 5 / Yardage: 530–600)

The 17th could decide the tourney. Players looking to cut the dogleg down the right side must be aware of the creek. Cross-bunkers about 80 yards from the green will make laying up difficult. Look for birdies—and, perhaps, some eagles.

Hole 18 (Par: 4 / Yardage: 460)

The final hole gently winds right to left. Bunkers on the left side, along with a lone bunker through the fairway, will spur many players to hit less than driver (unless a birdie is needed). When the greens are fast, look for balls to be fed toward the hole from the slope.