Memphis, Tennessee
TPC Southwind is a battle-tested, tournament-first Memphis classic defined by narrow fairways, water, and relentless shot values. Recent major renovations upgraded the greens and conditions, amplifying the challenge and polish. Bring your sharpest iron play and strategic discipline—big numbers lurk around every corner.
TPC Southwind is the rare PGA Tour-designed course created expressly for tournament chess matches—no easy hero shots, no room for complacency. Ron Prichard's routing uses Memphis' rolling terrain to swerve around lakes, creeks, and mature trees, with water coming into play on more than half the holes. The defining character comes from its daunting par 3s, especially the 11th (a compact island green reminiscent of Sawgrass 17) and the epic, muscle-testing 14th. The 2024–25 renovation elevated the playing experience: all greens rebuilt, expanded for new pin positions, surrounds returfed with Zeon Zoysia, and subtle contouring upgrades have ensured faster, firmer, and more diverse setups for everyday members and tournament stars alike.
Ron Prichard, with input from major champions Hubert Green and Fuzzy Zoeller, focused on demanding angles, shot selection, and playable challenge for both Tour pros and members.
Southwind’s opening par 5, reachable for the bold but tricky throughout, features a large lone tree and subtle dogleg. Success hinges on picking the right line to avoid blocked approach angles and take realistic birdie chances.
Play to your optimal wedge range and avoid the tree’s line for a clean approach.
Cut too much or stray, and the second shot is blocked or wet—double lurks quickly.
Expect immaculate, fast greens and tightly mown zoysia surrounds, with firm bounce and tournament-polished surfaces year-round.
Pace during tournaments moves swiftly under TOUR management; member play is orderly, with reasonable but not brisk rounds typical of private clubs.
Elite/Tour-venue feel—modern, professional, well-run, but friendly to guests and visiting players.
Strict—collared shirts, slacks or Bermuda shorts, no denim; standard private-club policies apply.
Practice from 120–210 yards—approach precision is essential to scoring, especially on the rebuilt greens.
Master a bump-and-run and a soft, spinning pitch; Zeon Zoysia surrounds play fast and tight.
Use a course guide to game plan your safest lines, especially on holes 3, 11, 14, and 18.
Get comfortable with firm, fast putting surfaces—pace control will save strokes from above the hole.
TPC Southwind opens, designed for Memphis PGA Tour golf
First PGA Tour event held—FedEx St. Jude Classic moves in
Bunker work and lengthening of select holes
Becomes permanent FedEx St. Jude Championship (FedExCup Playoff) host
Where Holsteins once grazed, high-stakes golf arrived with Ron Prichard's design, leaving grain silos and a windmill as reminders of the land's blue-collar past. Now, those features frame shots on a course where only the sharpest survive.
Every year, PGA Tour pros face a pulse-raising wedge over water to Southwind's infamous 11th. This island-green par 3 has humbled more than a few with one short miss—a Memphis answer to Sawgrass' 17th.
After the 2024–25 renovation, TPC Southwind emerged crisper, firmer, and even more fearsome. Expanded greens, Zeon Zoysia surrounds, and subtle tweaks have made every approach—and every miss—count for more.
As the FedExCup Playoffs' opening test, Southwind's final stretch turns up the heat. Under the watchful eyes of grain silos and thousands of spectators, closing holes demand steely nerves and creative escapes.
Built on a former dairy farm—look for the original grain silos and windmill as unique course landmarks.
The signature 11th is Southwind’s response to the iconic 17th at TPC Sawgrass.
Hosts the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the opening leg of the PGA Tour Playoffs.
Water hazards come into play on 11 holes—an unusually high ratio even for Tour venues.
Recent 2024–25 renovation rebuilt all greens with extra pin locations and Zeon Zoysia surrounds.
A celebrated public complement—eco-friendly, scenic, contrasting routing.
Solid stay-and-play alternative with excellent practice facilities.
Budget-friendly, walkable, adds variety to your tour.
Traditional Memphis pedigree—if you can score an invite, it’s a historic treat.
East Memphis or Germantown for best access to clubs and local amenities, 20–30 minutes from most area courses.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Essex County Country Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to TPC Southwind.
Why it matches: If TPC Southwind is your kind of course, Atlanta Athletic Club (Highlands Course) is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Atlanta Athletic Club (Riverside Course) offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to TPC Southwind.
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