Take your pick of five courses at PGA National Resort & Spa

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Courtesy of PGA National

An imposing figure awaits each golfer who dares to take on the three-hole Bear Trap at PGA National's Champion course.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Five courses. One designed by Arnold Palmer. Another redesigned by Jack Nicklaus. Another is considered a thinking man's course, another welcomes players of all abilities, and the fifth challenges you with water hazards on all but one hole.

But while the five courses at PGA National Resort & Spa have their own distinct qualities, a common thread remains: The quality of the courses do not vary. While The Champion course is the most recognizable as the home of the PGA TOUR's Honda Classic, officials at PGA National are adamant that the other four courses do not get short-changed.

In other words, while most of the other courses are shorter in length than The Champion, they are by no means lesser in quality.

That desire to offer its guests a high-level experience also extends outside the ropes. A recent $65 million revitalization means you can now work out at a 33,000 square-foot fitness center that includes nine pools; relax at a 40,000 square-foot European Spa featuring 32 treatment rooms and outdoor mineral pools; shop at the 2,200 square-foot pro shop, including enhanced check-in for resort guests and private members; and eat at one of the nine onsite restaurants, including the new Ironwood Grille, whose Executive Chef is Kenny Gilbert, a contestant on this year's Top Chef TV show.

Of course, the main focus at PGA National is golf. Here's a look at each of the five courses:

The Champion

Designed by Tom Fazio; redesigned by Jack Nicklaus

The Champion course was originally opened for play on Nov. 17, 1981. Since then, it has undergone two significant renovations. Following the 1989 PGA Seniors' Championship, Jack Nicklaus and his team of designers closed the course and redesigned the original Tom Fazio layout. In April 2002, the golf course was closed in order to install a state-of-the-art irrigation system, additional drainage and new concrete paths. The practice range and practice putting greens were also enlarged. In 2006 and again in 2007, The Champion underwent additional renovations prior to hosting The Honda Classic. The Champion is the only course among PGA TOUR venues that has hosted a Ryder Cup (1983), a major (1987 PGA Championship), and a current TOUR stop. THE CHAMPION: BY THE NUMBERS Most challenging hole No. 16 Most scenic hole No. 18 Total number of sand bunkers 107 Number of water hazards 16 out of 18 holes Acreage of course 150 acres Average size of greens 6,400 square feet Par 72 Yardage 7,048 (black); 6,721 (gold); 6,379 (blue); 5,984 (white); 5,145 (red)

The Palmer

Designed by Arnold Palmer

Dedicated on Feb. 28, 1984, The Palmer Course was originally named The General for its gallery-appealing designer, Arnold Palmer. The course was renovated by the Palmer Design Group in the summer of 2007. It reopened in January 2008 as The Palmer. The Palmer Course favors the Scottish traditions with its links layout, undulating fairways, numerous grass bunkers and the sharing of a common green by the 8th and 12th holes. THE PALMER: BY THE NUMBERS Most challenging hole No. 18 Most scenic hole No. 18 Total number of sand bunkers 49 Number of water hazards 16 out of 18 holes Acreage of course 120 acres Average size of greens 6,600 square feet Par 72 Yardage 6,684 (blue); 6,115 (white); 4,810 (red)

The Haig

Designed by Tom and George Fazio

The Haig course was the first course opened for play at PGA National on March 4, 1980. The course was named in honor of Walter Hagen. Known affectionately as "The Haig," he became an international legend through his accomplishments in golf, include five PGA Championship wins. In designing the Haig, the goal of Tom and George Fazio was to create an outstanding quality course that would be playable for all types of golfers. THE HAIG: BY THE NUMBERS Most challenging hole No. 4 Most scenic hole No. 18 Total number of sand bunkers 69 Number of water hazards 15 out of 18 holes Acreage of course 115 acres Average size of greens 6,500 square feet Par 72 Yardage 6,806 (blue); 6,335 (white); 5,645 (red)

The Squire

Designed by Tom and George Fazio

The Squire opened on Oct. 30, 1981, and is named for the immortal Gene Sarazen. He was a true competitor who became the first player to claim a career Grand Slam in professional events -- the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship. Tom and George Fazio, designers of the course, refer to the Squire as the "thinking man's course," requiring the golfer to test his/her accuracy with fairway woods and/or long irons off many tees and precise short iron shots into the greens. THE SQUIRE: BY THE NUMBERS Most challenging hole No. 5 Most scenic hole No. 5 Total number of sand bunkers 63 Number of water hazards 17 out of 18 holes Acreage of course 105 acres Average size of greens 6,300 square feet Par 72 Yardage 6,465 (blue); 6,000 (white); 4,975 (red)

The Estate

Designed by Karl Litten

The Estate course, designed by Karl Litten, was originally opened in November 1984. The Estate course has its own practice range, practice bunker and practice putting green for players to warm up and hone their skills. The golfer will find a masterful mixture of sand and water along with lush green fairways and greens that wind through the open meadows, lined with Florida pines and subtropical foliage. THE ESTATE: BY THE NUMBERS Most challenging hole No. 8 Most scenic hole No. 5 Total number of sand bunkers 86 Number of water hazards 17 out of 18 holes Acreage of course 120 acres Average size of greens 6,800 square feet Par 72 Yardage 6,694 (blue); 6,122 (white); 5,433 (red)