ARCHITECTS
Course info
Score
Difficulty
Weather
Price
Course Report
The South Course’s 16th hole was nicknamed 'The Monster' by Arnold Palmer after he scored a triple-bogey during the 1960 PGA Championship—the name remains to this day.
About
Firestone Country Club’s South Course, originally designed in 1929 and fully overhauled by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1960, is one of the most respected parkland championship layouts in America. Renowned for hosting over 70 professional events, the course features long, tree-lined fairways, elevated greens, and severe bunkering, consistently challenging the world’s elite golfers.
Caddie Tip
Accuracy is the key to scoring at Firestone South; favor the fairway over extra distance off the tee, especially on tight tree-lined holes. On the quick, multi-tiered greens, always play for an uphill putt and don’t leave approach shots above the hole—putting becomes treacherous from above.
The Main Challenge
The South Course’s narrow, tree-lined fairways and small, elevated greens demand precision from the tee and absolute control on approach shots. The course’s length and relentless rough further punish mistakes, while subtle green contours demand imaginative short game and clutch putting under pressure.
The Good
Golfers consistently rave about the challenge, tradition, and atmosphere of Firestone South, appreciating its exceptional history as a site of countless world-class tournaments and the classic, demanding layout designed to test elite play across all facets of the game.
The Not So Good
Due to heavy tournament use and high demand, greens and fairways can show signs of wear in peak season. The course’s punishing length and unforgiving rough are occasionally criticized by higher-handicap golfers as limiting enjoyment and creating slow play when conditions are tough.
Signature Hole:
#
16
The par 5 16th at Firestone South is a formidable 667-yard hole, famously dubbed ‘The Monster’ by Arnold Palmer. This brute forces players to navigate a long, tree-lined fairway with water guarding the green—demanding an exceptional approach to avoid disaster and setting up one of golf’s most dramatic risk-reward finishes on Tour.
Clubhouse
The spacious clubhouse includes fine and casual dining, locker rooms, pro shop, sports lounges, and event venues. Members enjoy full-service amenities and attentive staff, with modern fitness and wellness facilities, making the club a destination for leisure beyond golf.
Practice Facilities
Firestone South offers a championship-level practice range, dedicated short-game area, and putting greens, all kept in top condition. The private academy features TrackMan swing analysis and instruction by certified professionals, ideal for sharpening every part of your game before teeing off.
Dress Code:
Strict
No dress code enforced. All attire is permitted.
Collared shirts not required. Clean, athletic or golf-appropriate casual wear is acceptable.
Collared shirts required. No denim, gym wear, or overly casual clothing.
Collared shirts must be tucked in; no cargo or athletic shorts. No hats indoors.
Elite club standards; jackets required indoors, no changing shoes in the parking lot, and specific attire rules based on the area of the facility.
.avif)
.png)
.png)
