Could the Champion Course at the PGA National be losing its appeal? After enjoying the relaxed, joyous atmosphere of Mexico’s National Open, the PGA Tour travels to Florida for the first of four consecutive events in the Eastern Time Zone. The following four stops are all among the top nine most difficult sites on the PGA Tour, indicating that Florida’s courses are infamously challenging in comparison to Vidanta Vallarta’s benign fairways.

Particularly at PGA National, golfers have never been known to be eased in. With a score average of 71.41 (+1.41 to par) during the last ten years, it has become the most difficult non-major venue on the tour. However, something has changed. Both golfers and viewers are complaining that the once-dangerous course has been subdued, reducing what was once a real test of perseverance to another birdie-fest. Is the PGA National becoming less of a unique event? Let’s find out what happened exactly!

The golf community is disappointed with the course changes

Known for hosting major events like the 1987 PGA Championship and the 1983 Ryder Cup, the Champion Course at the PGA National Resort has long set a standard for golf brilliance. The course, which was renovated by Jack Nicklaus in 2014 after being constructed by Tom and George Fazio in 1981, was praised for its difficult layout, particularly the legendary “Bear Trap,” a trio of holes (15th, 16th, and 17th) that put even the most experienced golfers to test their skills. However, the Bear Trap was named after Jack Nicklaus, who was responsible for redesigning the course.

Nonetheless, recent modifications have angered both players and spectators. An acre of fairway grass was added to the course in May 2023 when fairway lines were extended. The 10th hole had its length increased by 20 yards in 2025, making it 550 yards, after being changed from a par 4 to a par 5 in 2024. These changes, meant to update the course, have unintentionally made it less challenging. The course layout is less harsh overall, and the once-daunting “Bear Trap” now feels less demanding. This change has resulted in significantly lower scores; in a recent competition, just 4 out of 72 players were over par, which is in sharp contrast to the course’s credibility as a difficult course.

Concerning these developments, the golf community has been outspoken. Joel Dahmen, a pro golfer, wrote on Twitter, “I miss the old PGA National.” His sentiment is consistent with the rising longing for the challenging, windswept circumstances that made this race such a demanding test. Dahmen’s remarks draw attention to an important question: Has course administration made it easier to accommodate students with lower scores? Such comments highlight the increasing belief that the course no longer provides the demanding challenge it formerly did. But Dahmen isn’t the only one who expressed his views publicly. There are other people on the list as well, so let’s quickly see what they have to say.

Industry reactions on the PGA National Course

Beyond players, industry stakeholders and viewers are also impacted by these course changes. The PGA Tour has come under fire for changing the Champion Course, with many contending that the tournament’s distinctive character has been undermined. “I know it’s early, I know there’s no wind—but seeing only 4 out of 72 players over par so far at PGA National is wild,” tweeted journalist Daniel Rapaport in response to the startling number. For a course where over half of the field would frequently struggle to break par in prior years, this discovery is startling. The event’s drama has been diminished by its lack of difficulty, prompting some to contend that PGA National.

“Championship Management at the tour completely ruined this event. Honestly, it’s sad. This event really had its own unique identity as an ass kicker,” a golf devotee stated. This comment emphasizes how frustrated fans are since they believe that the course’s difficulties were essential to its attraction and identity. Another person voiced worries about the wider ramifications for the PGA Tour, saying, “Things that have hurt the PGA Tour more than losing a Jon Rahm to LIV: removing match play from the schedule; turning PGA National into a muni.” This criticism implies that the course’s change has, in the opinion of some, devalued its reputation by comparing it to a municipal course rather than a facility of championship status.

The competition’s character has also changed as a result of the change in course difficulty. “Since when is PGA National a f**king putting contest?” asked one golf enthusiast. The competitive balance of the event may be impacted by this observation, which suggests that the course now prioritizes putting skill over a diverse skill set. The change in competitiveness has even been noticed by players. One of the competitors, Daniel Berger, stated, “I thought I played well, but then someone shot 59. Clearly, the course was not the old Bear Trap that we’re used to. But still a great start to the event, and just got to continue to do what I did today for the next three days.” This finding illustrates the discrepancy between individual assessments of performance and the surprisingly low scores made possible by the current design of the course.

The PGA National’s Champion Course’s future is still up in the air due to ongoing discussion. The golf community keeps a careful eye on the situation, looking for a solution that appreciates the course’s rich history while embracing how the game is changing.