South Course at Firestone Country Club
Designer: Bert Way; Redesigned in 1960 by Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Renowned for its extensive PGA tournament history, the par 70, 7,400-yard South Course at Firestone includes some of the toughest, most famous and most enjoyable holes in golf. A championship course from its conception, the South Course has hosted more than 70 professional tournaments, including 18 years of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, 36 years of the World Series of Golf, and three PGA Championships. It is the current home of the Kaulig Companies Championship.
The South Course was originally designed by Bert Way and debuted as the inaugural course at Firestone Country Club in 1929. In preparation for the 1960 PGA Championship, Robert Trent Jones Sr. undertook an extensive redesign, adding over 50 bunkers, two ponds, and increasing the course length to 7,165 yards while adjusting the par to 70.
The South Course at Firestone has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments, including three PGA Championships in 1960, 1966, and 1975. This history solidified its reputation as a championship course, further highlighted by hosting the American Golf Classic from 1961 through 1976. It’s no wonder the South Course has been ranked among the top 100 courses in the U.S.
A Robert Trent Jones Sr. Design
Couple accuracy and distance to score low at the scenic South Course. Deep fairway bunkers with tall lips will force chip outs, while constant elevation changes, long rough, and severe false fronts complicate club selection. As for the greens, they are firm, fast, consistently sloping, and a thrill to read. Golfers will enjoy using every club in their bag to stay in position with each round on this historic course.
How to Play the South Course
- Opening Hole: A challenging start with narrow fairways and strategically placed bunkers. Aim to keep your drive straight and avoid the rough.
- 16th Hole ("The Monster"): This infamous par 5 requires careful planning. Play conservatively off the tee and focus on positioning rather than distance. The green is protected by water, so a precise approach is essential.
- 18th Hole: A long par 4 with a narrow profile and greens surrounded by bunkers. Aim to stay on the fairway and approach the green with caution.
Key Challenges
- Tree-Lined Fairways: Precision off the tee is vital to avoid the trees and maintain a clear path to the green.
- Deep Bunkers: Many holes feature deep bunkers with tall lips, requiring accurate sand play to avoid penalty strokes.
South Course at Firestone Country Club
# 1 / Hole 1
Par: 4
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 399
Hybrid 399
White Tee 372
Green Tee 372
Red Tee 275
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
A shorter Par 4 that demands accuracy over length. Sitting 372 yards away from the Member's tee, is a well bunkered elevated green with a severe false front. The Fairway is tightly lined with trees and four fairway bunkers; hitting the fairway is important in order to score.
# 2 / Hole 2
Par: 5
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 526
Hybrid Tee 526
White Tee 478
Green Tee 478
Red Tee 395
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
The only Par 5 on the front nine is all up hill with a well guarded 3-tier-green. Fairway bunkers and tall trees line the sides the length of the fairway. A tee shot in the fairway sets up well for a scoring opportunity. The green itself is not easy. Four deep bunkers guard a severely undulated green with mean run-offs. If you are not careful on the green, you may easily putt it off. This hole is best played as a 3 shot hole.
# 3 / Hole 3
Par: 4
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 442
Hybrid Tee 369
White Tee 369
Green Tee 323
Red Tee 323
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
A short Par 4 well protected by a large pond, deep bunkers and high over hanging trees. A tee shot favoring the right side of the fairway will have the best angle into this green. Any shot outside of the fairway will have a tough time hitting the green in regulation.
# 4 / Hole 4
Par: 4
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 471
Hybrid Tee 471
White Tee 366
Green Tee 366
Red Tee 270
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
Another demanding tee shot is required on the Par 4 fourth hole. An ideal tee shot lands in the right side of the severely sloping fairway and letting the ball roll to the flat area on the left. With trees lining the fairways and a large bunker on the right side, it is important to hit the fairway to try and score. A tricky green with subtle breaks and run-offs require a lot of attention to avoid a three putt.
# 5 / Hole 5
Par: 3
If a 221-yard par 3 isn’t enough, try the 200-yard 5th hole. The small green can be reached with a 5- or 6-iron, but you might need as much …
If a 221-yard par 3 isn’t enough, try the 200-yard 5th hole. The small green can be reached with a 5- or 6-iron, but you might need as much as a 3-iron when the wind is blowing. Strange as it may seem, it is not one of the toughest scoring holes--that honor goes to two of the par 4s.
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 200
Hybrid Tee 200
White Tee 182
Green Tee 171
Red Tee 154
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
The first of two Par 3s on the front nine plays around 180 yards from the Member tees. Three tough bunkers protect the front and left side of the green while tall trees guard the right side and long of the green. A narrow but long green slopes hard from right to left. If not careful on the green, a three-putt could be in play.
# 6 / Hole 6
Par: 4
The 6th hole is 469 yards of challenge. It has ranked as the toughest for professionals at Firestone over the years. The 471-yard 4th hole i…
The 6th hole is 469 yards of challenge. It has ranked as the toughest for professionals at Firestone over the years. The 471-yard 4th hole is another test. All the hole asks a player to do is hit a long and straight tee shot, followed by an approach shot that must come in high to hold the elevated green. Sometimes this is easier said than done. But then again, that’s the best way to sum up Firestone Country Club’s South Course.
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 469
Hybrid Tee 413
White Tee 413
Green Tee 413
Red Tee 275
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
The number one Handicap hole on the course is the Par 4 6th, slight dogleg sitting at 415 yards from the Members tee. This hole is shaped left to right and requires a tee shot in the fairway to have a good look at the long green. Trees down both sides play a factor for any tee shot that is not in the fairway. Three bunkers guard the left-right sloping green. It is best to leave the approach shot below the hole to have a good chance at the putt.
# 7 / Hole 7
Par: 3
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 219
Hybrid Tee 219
White Tee 147
Green Tee 147
Red Tee 138
Slope:
The 6th hole is 469 yards of challenge. It has ranked as the toughest for professionals at Firestone over the years. The 471-yard 4th hole is another test. All the hole asks a player to do is hit a long and straight tee shot, followed by an approach shot that must come in high to hold the elevated green. Sometimes this is easier said than done. But then again, that’s the best way to sum up Firestone Country Club’s South Course.
Pro Tips
This Par 3 7th plays shorter from the Member's tee at around 150 yards. The shorter distance does not make the hole any easier as it is guarded by 4 greenside bunkers, one of which runs the whole left side of the green. It is important to hit the large green to avoid a tough up and down for par. The massive green provides many tough hole locations; all of which will serve you better playing from below the hole.
# 8 / Hole 8
Par: 4
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 482
HybridTee 420
White Tee 420
Green Tee 420
Red Tee 296
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
The Par 4 8th is another slight left-right dogleg with a left-right sloping fairway. In order to keep it in the short grass, a tee shot on the left side of the fairway is ideal. With tall and thick trees down the right side, the best miss is to the left in order to have a look at the green. The green is guarded by five deep bunkers and a severe run off over the back of the green. The green runs hard front-back. Shots that land short of the green, tend to roll on and trickle towards the pin.
# 9 / Hole 9
Par: 4
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 494
Hybrid Tee 442
White Tee 442
Green Tee 330
Red Tee 330
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
This straight but long Par 4th closes out the front nine at the base of the clubhouse. A tee shot in the fairway is the best chance to attack this tricky protected green. Three deep bunkers surround the green. The green itself has a severe false front as well as a couple of collection areas that will test your putting skills.
# 10 / Hole 10
Par: 4
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 410
Hybrid Tee 410
White Tee 387
Green Tee 336
Red Tee 336
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
This uphill Par 4 plays just under 400 yards from the Member tee box. Three fairway bunkers guard the landing area. The ideal target line is the right edge of the left bunker. The approach shot is uphill into a tiered green. It is important to know where the pin is to not be above the hole.
# 11 / Hole 11
Par: 4
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 418
Hybrid Tee 418
White Tee 345
Green Tee 345
Red Tee 255
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
Playing around 350 yards from the Member tee this Par 4 11th has a blind tee shot that requires more accuracy than distance. With tall trees lining the fairway and bunkers guarding the green, it is no easy hole. The green has a plateau on the left and runs left-right.
# 12 / Hole 12
Par: 3
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 180
Hybrid Tee 165
White Tee 165
Green Tee 153
Red Tee 153
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
The first Par 3 on the back nine. Playing uphill, this green is heavily guarded by 3 bunkers; short, left and right. The best opportunity at making a putt is to be below the hole as the green slopes back to front.
# 13 / Hole 13
Par: 4
Yardage by Tee:
Hybrid Tee 471
Blue Tee 471
White Tee 439
Green Tee 355
Red Tee 355
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
This tough left-right dogleg requires a tee shot down the left center. A bunker sits on the left side of the fairway around 160 from the green. An overhanging tree protects the dogleg from being cut off on the right side. The approach to the elevated green is uphill and is well protected by deep bunkers left and right. The green itself is very tricky and is inviting to three putts if not careful. Add False front
# 14 / Hole 14
Par: 4
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 467
Hybrid Tee 371
White Tee 371
Green Tee 371
Red Tee 287
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
This straight away Par 4 plays 370 yards from the member tees. Three bunkers line the fairway as well as tall trees. Being in the fairway provides the best chance at hitting the green. Accuracy is more important than distance off the tee. The green is narrow and has three greenside bunkers. The green is one of the flatter ones on the course.
# 15 / Hole 15
Par: 3
The 16th hole doesn’t have the market covered on length. Before you get there, the par-3, 221-yard, 15th hole provides enough of a challenge…
The 16th hole doesn’t have the market covered on length. Before you get there, the par-3, 221-yard, 15th hole provides enough of a challenge. Its flat green makes for a straight putt, but getting the ball close to the 15th hole can be a problem. From the tee, bunkers on the left of the green are hidden and provide for unpleasant surprises.
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 221
Hybrid Tee 159
White Tee 159
Green Tee 148
Red Tee 148
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
The last Par 3 on the course plays around 160 yards from the Member tees. A large bunker sits on the front left of the green and two smaller ones on the right. This green slopes back to front with a few subtle run offs on the right side of the green. Being below the hole is the best opportunity at a birdie.
# 16 / Hole 16
Par: 5
The 16th hole plays to 667 yards. A pond in front of the green captures its share of errant shots. Usually, the casualties aren’t the result…
The 16th hole plays to 667 yards. A pond in front of the green captures its share of errant shots. Usually, the casualties aren’t the result of futile attempts to reach the green in two; they are third shots from players who hit errant tee shots and find the woods. A well-placed long tee shot does not guarantee the opportunity to get home in two.
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 667
Hybrid Tee 590
White Tee 590
Green Tee 465
Red Tee 465
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
From the tips, The 16th Par 5, also known as the monster, plays at 675 yards. The tee shot on this hole is important to be inside the tree line of the fairway. On the left is high fescue and trees and the right is guarded by thick tall trees. A tee shot at the top of the hill on the right side of the fairway will launch the ball down the sloping fairway to add extra distance. Longer hitters can hit the slope to have under 300 yards in on the next shot. The green is guarded by a frontside pond and three bunkers behind and left of the green. Trying to attack the green in two is very tough and very risky. Laying up short of the pond on the second shot is the best play majority of the time. The turtle shell shaped green provides tough pin positions that can play tricky if not careful.
# 17 / Hole 17
Par: 4
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 400
Hybrid Tee 400
White Tee 374
Green Tee 333
Red Tee 333
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
This uphill Par 4 plays just under 400 yards from the member tees. With 5 bunkers guarding left and right of the fairway, the tee shot can be intimidating. The green is protected by a deep pot bunker right in front of the green. The green is large and slopes hard back to front; putting from below the hole is best chance at a make. Be sure to look at #18 green while on #17 tee box to see where the pin location is.
# 18 / Hole 18
Par: 4
Yardage by Tee:
Blue Tee 464
Hybrid Tee 464
White Tee 435
Green Tee 350
Red Tee 350
Slope:
Blue 76.1/132 | Hybrid 73.9/129 | White 71.6/124 | Green 69.01/118 | Red 70.4/123
Pro Tips
This iconic finishing hole is lined on both sides by tall strong trees and a large fairway bunker on the right side. The hole starts straight but turns slightly left the closer you get to the hole. An ideal tee shot is down the right side of the fairway to have the best angle at the long tricky green. The hole could play about 25 yards different based on pin location. Four bunkers guard short and long of the green. Once on the green, pace is more important than the line itself as a couple putts can be very tough. Make sure to check out the Tiger Woods “Shot in the Dark” plaque down the right side of the fairway.
History of the South Course
At the 1975 PGA Championship, Jack Nicklaus pulled out a remarkable par on the 16th hole, nicknamed by Arnold Palmer the “Monster” for its relentless length and difficulty. Nicklaus had sent his third shot way right into the rough. TV commentator Bob Rosburg said he had no shot. But the Golden Bear launched a 140 yard 9-iron over a looming tree, landing it 30 feet from the hole. Nicklaus sank the putt and went on to win the tournament by two strokes, for the 14th of his 18 major titles.
History of the South Course
Tiger Woods’ famous Shot in the Dark took place on South’s 18th hole, in the final round of the 2000 WGC-NEC Invitational. With the sun well below the horizon, Woods landed a laser 8-iron from 168 yards to within two feet of the pin. A tap-in birdie in pitch darkness was all that remained to secure an 11-shot victory, Woods’ fifth of eight wins at Firestone South.
History of the South Course
The 16th hole is a monstrous par 5, stretching to 667 yards from the championship tees. Arnold Palmer carded a disastrous triple-bogey on this notorious hole during the 1960 PGA Championship, putting him out of contention. After his round, Palmer referred to this arduous par 5 as the “Monster” and the name stuck ever since. A plaque rests on the bridge near the 16th green in honor of The King’s playful moniker and three Firestone victories.
Experience the South Course
Experience championship golf at the South Course by becoming a Member or booking a Stay & Play golf trip to Firestone Country Club. Contact us to learn more about membership, or fill out the form below to start planning your Stay & Play reservation.