You've probably heard the rumors or seen the highlight reels by now. Scottie Scheffler basically dismantled the field in May, but the real story wasn't just his ball-striking. It was the venue. If you were looking for the 2025 PGA Championship location, you had to head straight to the heart of North Carolina.
Charlotte. Specifically, Quail Hollow Club.
Honestly, some folks still get confused because Quail Hollow is so synonymous with the Wells Fargo Championship. But for 2025, the PGA of America took over the keys, and they didn't just host a tournament; they turned the place into a 7,626-yard beast. It wasn't the same course the pros see every year in early May. Not even close.
Why the 2025 PGA Championship Location Matters
Location is everything in golf, but for the 107th PGA Championship, the choice of Quail Hollow was a bit of a homecoming. This was the second time the Wanamaker Trophy was hoisted here. The first was back in 2017 when Justin Thomas grabbed his first major.
But things changed.
The 2025 setup was a par-71 gauntlet. While the Wells Fargo usually feels like a high-scoring birdie fest, the PGA setup was designed to make the best players in the world sweat. They lengthened the 16th hole by about 20 yards, bringing a nasty fairway bunker on the right into play for the big hitters. It worked.
The rough? Thick. We’re talking four-plus inches of lush ryegrass that basically swallowed golf balls. If you missed the fairway, you weren't just struggling for birdie; you were fighting for your life to save par.
The Green Mile: Golf’s Scariest Cul-de-Sac
You can't talk about the 2025 PGA Championship location without mentioning the "Green Mile." It’s the closing three-hole stretch—16, 17, and 18—that basically decides who gets the trophy and who goes home crying.
- Hole 16: A monster par 4. It’s been tweaked to be even longer, forcing players to hit long irons into a green guarded by water.
- Hole 17: A par 3 that is essentially an island. If the wind kicks up, it’s a graveyard for golf balls.
- Hole 18: A finishing hole with a creek running all the way down the left side. It’s terrifying.
During the tournament, we saw guys like Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele card double bogeys on the 16th during the first round alone. It was brutal. Luke Donald was actually one of the few who managed to navigate the day bogey-free. It just goes to show that at Quail Hollow, course knowledge is great, but survival instincts are better.
A Different Kind of Fan Experience
The PGA of America did something kinda interesting with the "Championship+" ticket system this year. Basically, if you bought a general admission ticket, all your food and non-alcoholic drinks were included. No wallets, no checking out—just grab a chicken biscuit and get back to the ropes.
It changed the vibe. Usually, at these majors, you’re standing in line for twenty minutes for a $15 sandwich. In Charlotte, the focus stayed on the golf.
They also built this massive 49,000-square-foot merchandise tent. It was the largest in the history of the championship. You could find everything from standard Nike polos to local 704 Shop gear. If you wanted a hat with the Quail Hollow logo, you had about 1,200 different items to choose from. It was a bit much, but hey, people love their merch.
Weather and Conditions
The week started a bit soggy. About five inches of rain fell leading up to the tournament, which meant the grounds were soft. For the first few days, they actually kept spectators off certain areas to protect the turf.
Agronomy-wise, Quail Hollow is a bermudagrass base. Since the tournament moved to May, the grounds crew had to manage a 50/50 mix of overseeded rye and the underlying bermuda. This created a surface that was fast—hitting 13 on the stimpmeter by Sunday—but also caught players off guard if they didn't account for the "bounce" of the waking bermuda roots.
Scheffler’s Dominance at Quail
While the 2025 PGA Championship location provided the drama, Scottie Scheffler provided the clinic. He finished at 11-under par, winning by five strokes.
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It’s worth noting that Bryson DeChambeau and Harris English made runs, but they couldn't quite handle the firming greens on Sunday. Bryson, in particular, looked like he might make it a fight until he ran into the Green Mile. The course just doesn't give you anything for free.
Jhonattan Vegas was the surprise of the week, becoming the first Venezuelan to lead after a round in a major. He eventually finished T5, but his performance proved that Quail Hollow rewards anyone who can keep the ball in the short stuff, regardless of their world ranking.
Realities of the 2025 Venue
Was it perfect? Maybe not. Some players complained that the course was almost too long. At 7,626 yards, it heavily favored the bombers. If you didn't carry the ball 300 yards in the air, you were hitting woods and long irons into greens that were designed for wedges.
But that's the PGA Championship. It’s meant to be a "stern test."
The logistical side was also a bit of a headache for some. Parking was scattered across Charlotte—Carowinds, Ballantyne, and the Park Expo Center. You had to shuttle in. If you didn't plan your morning, you were missing the early tee times.
Actionable Insights for Future Major Attendees
If you’re planning to head to a future PGA Championship (like Aronimink in 2026 or PGA Frisco in 2027), take a page out of the 2025 Charlotte playbook:
- Check the "Plus" factor: Look for tickets that include food. It sounds like a gimmick, but it saves hours of standing in line and keeps you hydrated without the "sticker shock."
- Study the finishing stretch: Major championships are won or lost in the final three holes. Get your spot at the 17th or 18th early. In Charlotte, the bleachers at the 17th were full by 10:00 AM.
- Transport is key: Never assume you can park at the course. These private clubs weren't built for 40,000 people a day. Download the tournament app and check the shuttle schedules 48 hours in advance.
- Gear up for the "Green": If the course has a nickname for its final holes, it's going to be the most crowded spot. Bring binoculars and comfortable shoes.
The 2025 PGA Championship location at Quail Hollow solidified its spot as one of the premier "big-game" courses in the world. It’s a place where the par-4s are long, the water is deep, and the winner is usually the person who made the fewest mistakes, not the most birdies.
Next year, the circus moves to Pennsylvania, but the shadow of the Green Mile will loom large for anyone who competed in Charlotte.
Next Steps: If you are planning to visit a major championship site, check the specific club's guest policy months in advance, as many private venues like Quail Hollow close to the public entirely for renovations and tournament prep long before the first tee shot is struck.