Worldgolfer's Golf Course Reviews

Designer: Pete Dye (2004)

Location: Avondale, Louisiana

History: TPC of Louisiana was built in 2004 by Pete Dye specifically to host the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic, but due to Hurricane Katrina, it wasn’t held here until 2007. Since it opened, it is considered one of the finest courses in all of Louisiana, earning the following awards:

• #4 Best Course in Louisiana – Golf Digest (2025)
• #2 Best Course in Louisiana – Golf Magazine (2024)
• #3 Best Course in Louisiana – Top100golfcourses.com (2024)
• #2 Best Public Course in Louisiana – Golfweek (2025)

Conditions: 9/10, As you’d expect from a course that hosts the PGA Tour annually, TPC Louisiana is kept in great shape year round. Pristine bunkers, fast Bermuda greens, and manicured fairways make this one of the best-conditioned courses in the area.

Value: 6/10, Like most golf in Louisiana, TPC of Louisiana is reasonably priced, with most rates under $180 and discounts for residents.

Scorecard:

Tee                     Par         Yardage         Rating          Slope

PGA Tour          72          7399                76.3               139

Dye                     72           6931                73.8               136

Tournament   72          6610                72.4               133

Players              72           6172               70.1               130

Club                   72           5121                70.6               124

Hole Descriptions: When you think of Louisiana, you think Mardi Gras, jazz, and great food, but golf is not at the top of the list. This is because like much of the Southeast, the land here is flat and swampy and does not translate to elite golf architecture. Despite this, there are a few courses worth playing and TPC of Louisiana is certainly among them. Arguably the most famous course in the state and host of the PGA Tour since 2007, this is a classic Pete Dye course with plenty of difficulty, water, and railroad ties. While not an upper echelon Dye course, it is certainly one of the courses you should play if planning to golf while in New Orleans.

Hole 1 eases you into your round. A short par 4, all you need to do is avoid the large bunker on the left and you should have a wedge into this green. The third hole is where water first comes into play. A medium length par 3, this hole is pretty mundane minus the water on the right side. Hole 4 is where the course begins to first show its character. A long par 4 measuring over 450 yards, this hole is a true risk/reward. The more distance you take off the tee, the more the water on the right side comes into play. Hole 6 is another long par 4 similar to the first tee with its large left-hand bunker. Additionally, this hole features a crazy green that makes 2 putting a tall task. Hole 7 is a difficult long par 4 that turns hard to the left. Water guards the entire left-hand side of the hole, making aggressive drives particularly dangerous. While I’m usually not a fan of courses finishing their nines with par 3’s, this course’s 9th hole is perhaps the best hole on the entire side. A long par 3 where wind usually comes into play, railroad ties guard the left side of the green from a large pond. There are also several gators in this pond that love sunbathing.

The beginning of the back 9 is characterized by large bunkers. 10 has a large bunker on its right, 11 on its left, while 12 has large bunkers on both sides of the fairway. 13 is a really cool hole that is drivable if you can avoid the trees on the left. A sharp dogleg left, the green is only about 300 yards from the tee, but laying up right is the smart play. 16 is another short par 4 that starts a great finishing stretch. Trying to drive the green on this hole is perhaps easier, but incorporates much more danger, as water hugs the entire left of this tiny green. 17 is similar to hole 9 and also utilizes Pete Dye’s famous railroad ties design on the left side of this green.

In my opinion, the best hole on this course is 18, a strong finishing par 5. Water lines the entire right side of this beautiful par 5 and the fairway is well-bunkered, especially near the green, making layups very difficult. Wayward drives might actually be rescued from the water by narrow bunkers that also line the right side of the fairway. Bubba Watson got out of one of these bunkers to win the Zurich Classic in 2011. If you play the course near the Zurich, huge grandstands will face you on the 18th, making for a memorable experience.

General Comments: As you’d expect from a TPC course, TPC Louisiana features fantastic practice facilities with a giant grass range and numerous short game areas. The clubhouse is also great and has every amenity you could ask for. The course is easily walkable, but most people ride due to the oppressive heat and humidity.

Verdict: Annual host of the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic, TPC of Louisiana is one of the best courses in the state and features a classic Pete Dye design through swampland. It is definitely worth a play if you’re looking to golf in New Orleans.