Tucked just outside Philadelphia in Newtown Square, Aronimink Golf Club is one of the most respected championship venues in American golf. Founded in 1896, the club carries a deep sense of history, but its reputation is rooted in the course itself.
Designed by legendary architect Donald J. Ross, the 1928 layout is widely considered his masterpiece. Aronimink rewards precision over power, with rolling fairways, strategic bunkering, and classic green complexes that demand thoughtful shot-making. It’s a course that challenges every part of a player’s game and is bound to provide a challenge to the best players in the world during the 2026 PGA Championship.
I intended to make this my masterpiece, but not until today did I realize that I built better than I knew.
—
Donald J. Ross
Here is a breakdown of the yardages and a strategic hole-by-hole breakdown.
Par 70 | Yardage: 7,394
Hole 1 | Par 4 | 434 yards
This long, straight opening hole features a downhill tee shot from just below the Clubhouse followed by an uphill approach to the green. Four bunkers border the right side of the fairway, while two bunkers—one on each side of the front of the green—will snag shots that miscalculate the slope. The green angles back and to the left and has a lot of slope from the back to the front.
Hole 2 | Par 4 | 413 yards
The tee shot on this dogleg left is to a semi-blind landing area that slopes from left to right and features a cluster of six bunkers where the hole bends. The green is large and well-sloped, with bunkers guarding front left and right and a collection area beyond.
Hole 3 | Par 4 | 455 yards
A dozen bunkers protect this hole, staggered on both sides of the fairway which forces players to make a decision as to where to hit the tee shot. The safe tee shot is to the right side of the fairway, with the smart approach to the middle of the wide, but relatively, shallow putting surface.
Hole 4 | Par 4 | 457 yards
Continuing the run of interesting and testing par 4s, this uphill tee shot again features staggered fairway bunkers on either side of the landing area. Most players will be able to hit over these bunkers and be left with a short iron into the two-tiered green.
Hole 5 | Par 3 | 171 yards
A classic Donald Ross par 3, bunkers form a semi-circle around the front half of the green, requiring an accurate shot to get close to the hole on a challenging green complex.
Hole 6 | Par 4 | 402 yards
Nearly a dozen bunkers guard the right side of the fairway on this short uphill dogleg-right Par-4, beginning where the hole bends and proceeding all the way to the green. Laying up short of the three bunkers on the left should leave a short approach into a tricky green that has a lot of movement and challenges.
Hole 7 | Par 4 | 431 yards
Another short dogleg-right par-4 with a blind fairway. The emphasis here is on the approach shot, hit to a severely sloped green that is well protected by deep bunkers left and front-right. Definitely a birdie opportunity.
Hole 8 | Par 3 | 242 yards
This long downhill par 3 can play to a variety of distances depending on where the hole is cut each day and which teeing area is selected, putting a premium on club selection. The green almost connects to the 10th green behind it, with just a small section of fairway separating them.
Hole 9 | Par 5 | 605 yards
Long, straight, and punctuated by side-to-side clusters of bunkers edging into the landing areas for both the first and second shots, the longest hole on the course climbs steadily uphill towards the clubhouse and the highest point on the property. The green is one of the least severe on the course as Donald Ross (architect) originally intended this to be a long two-shot hole.
Hole 10 | Par 4 | 472 yards
The ideal tee shot on this long, downhill hole will flirt with the two fairway bunkers on the right side, then feed toward the center of the landing area. A pond guards the front left of the green, which slopes severely and is surrounded by thick rough, water, and daunting collection areas; this is one of the most challenging green complexes on the course.
Hole 11 | Par 4 | 425 yards
More than 20 bunkers protect this hole, almost evenly divided between the two sides of the fairway and around the green. Distance and spin control must be precise on the short uphill approach to the green: Landing short or imparting too much spin can result in the ball coming back as far as 50 yards into the fairway. Another very challenging green complex will test even the best players in the world.
Hole 12 | Par 4 | 466 yards
A series of elevation changes make this among the hardest holes at Aronimink. The tee shot is downhill into a fairway squeezed by a dozen bunkers. The mid iron approach is uphill to an elevated, two-tiered green that slopes back to front and is ominously guarded by a deep bunker along the right side.
Hole 13 | Par 4 | 385 yards
The shortest par 4 on the course demands an accurate tee shot into a tight fairway liberally sprinkled with bunkers. Bunkers narrow the front of the green, so expect approaches to favor the wider rear half. A new forward tee has been built to create a reachable par-4 when moved forward which will also bring the out of bounds to the left of the green into play. This will be a fun hole to watch.
Hole 14 | Par 3 | 216 yards
Sand surrounds most of this left to right angled green on this challenging par 3. Find the middle of the green and players will have a birdie opportunity but missing the green will make for a challenging up and down to save par.
Hole 15 | Par 4 | 546 yards
A new tee box turned this into the longest par-4 on the golf course. The tee shot should aim to the right side and use the right-to-left slope of the fairway. The green is one of the largest on property and with an open front allows players to run the ball onto the green if needed.
Hole 16 | Par 5 | 555 yards
Many contestants should be able to reach this par 5 in two, but only if they can hit their long approach shots very high and hold the wide, but shallow, green. A long, deep bunker on each side of the putting surface adds to the challenge. Birdies should be plentiful and another exciting hole to view.
Hole 17 | Par 3 | 229 yards
Designed for drama, this long, slightly downhill par 3 could significantly affect the outcome of the Championship. Any ball heading to the left will likely find the pond that runs down the entire left side of the green. The safe shot is to the middle of the large putting surface, but that will almost certainly leave a difficult two-putt. The front right hole location just beyond the bunker will also create a lot of challenges.
Hole 18 | Par 4 | 490 yards
Trees on both sides and a trio of bunkers on the right side of the fairway are certain to affect a player’s tee-shot strategy. The approach is uphill to a large, terraced green that offers many interesting hole locations. Hole locations will likely favor the four corners of this challenging finishing green complex.