ARCHITECTS
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Course Report
Southern Hills is the only course to have hosted the PGA Championship five times and has also held three U.S. Opens, cementing its place in golf history.
About
Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a private, Perry Maxwell-designed classic parkland layout, renowned for its history and championship pedigree. Opened in 1936 and masterfully restored by Gil Hanse in 2019, it stretches over mature, tree-lined fairways and challenging greens. Consistently ranked among America’s elite and a multiple major host, Southern Hills exemplifies classic design with modern conditioning.
Caddie Tip
Keep approaches below the hole—the severe back-to-front slope on most greens makes downhill putts extremely fast and difficult to hold. Play for the wider side of fairways off the tee and heed local advice for approach shots into the right quadrants; misplaced shots are heavily penalized by tight, contoured chipping areas.
The Main Challenge
The toughest aspect of Southern Hills is the relentless precision required from tee to green—narrow, tree-lined fairways and thick Bermuda rough demand accuracy, while elevated, false-fronted greens place a premium on distance control and touch. The routing’s natural elevation changes add further complexity and exhaustion over a long championship round.
The Good
Golfers rave most about the impeccable championship conditions, the storied major history, and the unique feel of Maxwell’s classic design across rolling Oklahoma topography. The club’s sense of tradition, the visual impact of the stately clubhouse on the final holes, and the thrill of walking fairways where legends have won are the highlights for most visiting players.
The Not So Good
Some golfers wish for a bit more variety in the green complexes and would like to see a greater diversity in bunker style and placement. The strict exclusivity of the club means most golf fans will never have access to play, and the tough rough can be penalizing for less-skilled players.
Signature Hole:
#
18
The par-4 18th at Southern Hills is a demanding and iconic closing hole. Stretching uphill to a green bunkered left and protected by deep runoffs and thick rough, it features championship pressure from tee to green. The grand clubhouse provides a dramatic backdrop, and the approach regularly decides major championships, cementing its reputation as a true test of finishing nerves.
Clubhouse
The grand clubhouse offers high-end locker room facilities, fine and casual dining, extensive event spaces, and elegant outdoor terraces. Additional amenities include a pool complex, tennis center, fitness center, and multiple lounges, providing one of the most complete private club experiences in the region.
Practice Facilities
Southern Hills features a dedicated Golf Performance Center, a double-ended driving range, short game areas, and high-quality putting greens. Instruction is available from professional staff, and amenities for warming up or technical analysis are among the best in private club golf.
Dress Code:
Prestigious
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.
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