The PGA National opened for play in 1997 and was designed by Dave Thomas. The PGA National is very American in its design and is a stern and challenging golf course.
The PGA National was the first course in the U.K to carry PGA Branding and is very popular as a second choice round of golf when visiting the Belfry. From the blue tee's aptly named "The James Braid tee's" the course is a lengthy affair at just a smudging over 7,000 yards.
The "Harry Vardon" Yellow tees drop the overall yardage of the course by around a thousand yards and make it very scorable and a much more manageable golf course. The first tee shot is a good one to loosen up with, A relatively straight hole that in the right conditions is drivable and the fairway is pretty forgiving, watch out for the well-placed bunkers on the left-hand side of the fairway and short right of the green. The sensible play is an excellent long iron or hybrid landing just short of the fairway bunker setting up a straight forward wedge shot. The layout of the PGA National is pretty forgiving but watch out for the high wispy rough and well-placed bunkers and the water hazards that come in to play on 8 of the holes. The 18th is a great hole that works its way back to the famous clubhouse and hotel where you are almost guaranteed a crowd sipping refreshing beers watching you complete your round.
The Derby course completes the three excellent golf courses on offer at the Fabulous Belfry
The Derby course is a typical Parkland layout with great views over the Warwickshire countryside. Designed by Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas the Derby is considered by many to be the easier of the three championship layouts at the Belfry. The course has many great features that will ensure that it develops into a real gem of a course. Strategically placed bunkers and plenty of water hazards ensure that you receive an enjoyable challenge were finding the fairways pays dividends. The derby course compliments all that is on offer at the Belfry, a venue that attracts thousands of golfers a year and makes the Belfry one of the U.Ks most loved and popular golf resorts in the whole of Europe. The Derby course can be an enjoyable experience for all levels of golfers with a par of 69 and well worth playing on your next golf break to the Belfry.
