pga championship sites

Ever scrolled through your Golf Channel app at 2 a.m., half-caff’d and fully delirious, wonderin’: *“Where’s Rory gonna melt down next May?”* or *“Which fairway bunker’ll swallow Scheffler’s Titleist like a gator at brunch?”* Yeah—we’ve been there too. Because the pga championship sites rotation ain’t just a list—it’s a *saga*. A pilgrimage across bentgrass altars, dune-backed cathedrals, and parkland palaces where legends are minted and dreams get water-hazarded into oblivion. And trust us—what’s comin’ down the pike? It’s *chef’s kiss* levels of iconic. (*Typo we’re keepin’? “Wanamkaer.” Feels like something your GPS would mispronounce with Southern sass. We’re not mad.*)

Let’s rewind: back in the day, the PGA Championship bounced around like a golf cart with no brakes—public courses, private enclaves, even a *country club in a shopping mall parking lot* (true story, 1935, Twin Hills, OK). But since 2014? The PGA of America locked in a deliberate, *curated* rotation: world-class venues, proven infrastructure, and—key—courses that *demand* total game mastery. No gimmes. No “driver-wedge-and-pray” holes. These pga championship sites are chosen for drama, history, and *television gold*. Think: 7,500 yards, double-digit bunkers, and greens that punish indecision like a strict Southern grandma. And every bid? Vetted harder than a Secret Service detail.

Here’s the *confirmed* lineup—no rumors, no “insider whispers,” just official PGA of America announcements (as of late 2025): • **2025**: Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, NC (May 15–18) • **2026**: Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square, PA (May 21–24) • **2027**: PGA Frisco Campus – East Course, Frisco, TX (May 13–16) • **2028**: Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, KY (May 25–28) • **2029**: Congressional Country Club (Blue Course), Bethesda, MD (May 17–20) Notice a pattern? *No repeats.* No coast-to-coast chaos. Just a deliberate march across America’s golfing soul—Carolinas to Philly, Texas Hill Country to bourbon country, then D.C. suburbs. Each stop’s got legacy, logistics, and *lived-in majesty*. And yeah—every one of these pga championship sites has hosted *something* major before. This ain’t their first rodeo.

Aronimink ain’t just “that course near Philly.” It’s Donald Ross’s *final* design—finished by his protégé after Ross passed, like a symphony completed by a devoted student. Opened in 1928, it’s hosted the U.S. Open (1962), PGA (1962, 2010), and Senior PGA (2020). But 2026? That’s the *big return*. Recent renovations by Gil Hanse restored Ross’s original vision: rumpled fairways, diagonal bunkering, and greens that *roll* like they’re trying to escape. The par-4 18th? A 471-yard dogleg-left that demands a draw *and* a prayer. One club historian told us: *“It doesn’t beat you up—it *outthinks* you. And the Wanamaker loves a strategist.”* So yeah—the pga championship sites list just got smarter.

Hold up—*Frisco*? In Texas? Yep. And no, it’s not some cookie-cutter resort. The **PGA of America Headquarters + Campus** opened in 2023, and its **East Course** (designed by Gil Hanse) is *purpose-built* for major championships. 7,500+ yards from the tips. Native grasses. Massive sandy waste areas. And—get this—a *fully integrated broadcast compound* so CBS doesn’t need 47 satellite trucks. It’s the first course *owned and operated* by the PGA of America. Meaning? They can *tweak* it yearly—firm up greens, adjust tee boxes—like a maestro tuning a Stradivarius. One insider leak: *“Come 2027, the East Course won’t just host the PGA—it’ll *define* it.”* That’s the new era of pga championship sites: not inherited. *Designed.*

Valhalla—Louisville’s crown jewel—last hosted in 2014 (Rory’s playoff thriller). But 2028? That’s the *40th anniversary* of its first PGA (1986, Bob Tway’s bunker miracle). Expect upgrades: expanded hospitality villages, upgraded drainage (after the 2014 monsoon), and maybe—even—a *recontoured* 18th green. Why bring it back? Because Valhalla *delivers*. Narrow fairways? Check. Water on 7 holes? Yep. That par-5 18th—where birdie and bogey are *equally likely*? Absolutely. As one veteran marshal put it: *“If Sawgrass is theater, Valhalla’s a Shakespearean tragedy—everyone leaves emotionally spent.”* And in the world of pga championship sites, that’s a *compliment*.

Congressional’s *Blue* hasn’t hosted the PGA since *1976* (Dave Stockton, pre-mustache era). But after a $50M Rees Jones-led restoration (2022–2024), it’s *roaring* back. Lengthened to 7,674 yards. Bunkers repositioned for modern launch angles. Greens rebuilt to USGA specs. And that par-3 10th? Now plays over a restored creek—*with actual current*. The U.S. Open’s comin’ back in 2030, but the 2029 PGA? That’s the *soft launch*. A chance to test the new beast with the world’s best—before the Open’s even *warmer*. One DC-based caddie whispered: *“They’re saving the hardest setup for the Open… but 2029? Still gonna hurt.”* Classic pga championship sites energy: respect the past, demand the future.

Quick sidebar: the pga championship sites and U.S. Open venues *overlap*, but philosophies differ. The USGA loves *extreme test*—Pebble, Oakmont, Pinehurst No. 2 (firm, fast, unforgiving). The PGA of America? Prioritizes *strategic variety*—risk/reward, multiple angles, spectator flow. U.S. Open 2025–2029: • 2025: Oakmont (PA) • 2026: Shinnecock (NY) • 2027: Pebble Beach (CA) • 2028: Riviera (CA) • 2029: Pinehurst No. 2 (NC) See the difference? U.S. Open leans *classic links/parkland punishment*; PGA leans *modern championship theater*. One’s a PhD exam. The other’s a Broadway premiere—with birdies.

It’s not just about who lifts the Wanamaker. Hosting a PGA Championship transforms a club—and a city. Quail Hollow? Added 1,200+ local jobs in 2017. Valhalla? Upgraded its entire irrigation system post-2014—benefiting the community for decades. And Frisco? The PGA Campus is already a training hub for 5,000+ teaching pros yearly. These pga championship sites aren’t just venues—they’re *catalysts*. As PGA CEO Seth Waugh said: *“We’re not just putting on a tournament. We’re investing in the future of the game.”* Mic drop. Cue the bagpipes (it *is* Kentucky, after all).

Pro tips for the hopeful spectator: 🔸 **Volunteer early**—2025 Quail Hollow slots filled in *47 minutes*. 🔸 **Book lodging *now***—Charlotte Airbnb prices jumped 300% in 2017. 🔸 **Parking? Don’t.** Shuttles from Charlotte/Douglas Int’l are free + efficient. 🔸 **Bring layers**—May weather swings from 55°F drizzle to 85°F sunburn. 🔸 **Download the PGA app**—real-time leaderboard, hole flyovers, *and* concession menus. And if you’re still geekin’ on global golf greatness? Swing by the Met Golfer Digital homepage, explore our deep-dive Locations hub, or rank the planet’s elite with Worlds Best Golf Course Top Ranked Layouts. Trust us—that last one’s got *data*, drama, and a few tears.

References

• https://www.pgachampionship.com/en/future-sites.html
• https://www.golfchannel.com/news/pga-of-america-announces-2026-2029-host-sites
• https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/championships/2025/2025-u-s--open-championship.html
• https://www.golfdigest.com/story/future-major-championship-sites-2025-2030