TPC Southwind is a championship golf course in Memphis, Tennessee. It is part of the PGA TOUR’s TPC Network and serves as the home of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The club is also the PGA TOUR’s only private golf club in Tennessee.
The course sits inside the Southwind community in southeast Memphis. It combines a private club experience with one of the most demanding tournament courses on the PGA TOUR schedule. Water, narrow fairways, bunkers, and challenging greens make accuracy extremely important.
TPC Southwind History and Course Design
TPC Southwind was designed by golf course architect Ron Prichard, with PGA TOUR players Hubert Green and Fuzzy Zoeller serving as consultants. The course became the permanent home of the Memphis PGA TOUR event in 1989.
The tournament itself has a much longer history. The PGA TOUR has held an event in Memphis since 1958, while FedEx became the title sponsor in 1986. Over the years, the event has also helped raise more than $38 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
TPC Southwind also underwent a major renovation during 2024 and 2025. The work rebuilt and resurfaced all 18 green complexes while improving drainage and restoring additional pin positions.
TPC Southwind Course Layout and Key Facts
TPC Southwind plays as a par-70 course and measures about 7,288 yards for the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Its layout includes 12 par 4s, four par 3s, and two par 5s.
Quick Information About TPC Southwind
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Course Type | Private PGA TOUR golf club |
| Designer | Ron Prichard |
| Par | 70 |
| Tournament Yardage | 7,288 yards |
| Major Event | FedEx St. Jude Championship |
| Water Hazards | Come into play on 11 holes |
| Bunkers | 75 |
The fairways average around 25 yards wide, making driving accuracy a major part of success. The course also features extensive rough and relatively small greens, which place pressure on approach shots.
Why Is TPC Southwind So Difficult?
TPC Southwind does not simply reward long hitters. Players must control their golf ball from the tee and position themselves carefully for approach shots. Water comes into play on 11 holes, while 75 bunkers create additional trouble around the course.
The greens also demand accuracy. Their average size is about 4,300 square feet, which gives players smaller targets than they may find on many modern championship courses. Missing the fairway can quickly turn a simple approach into a difficult scoring situation.
This combination explains why TPC Southwind can produce exciting tournament finishes. One poor shot can lead to a bogey or worse, while a well-controlled round can create valuable scoring opportunities.
The Most Important Holes at TPC Southwind
TPC Southwind has several holes that can change a player’s round. The opening hole is a 434-yard par 4, while the third hole offers the first par-5 opportunity at 579 yards. The fifth hole is one of the course’s longest par 4s at 529 yards.
The closing stretch also demands concentration. Hole 16 is a 530-yard par 5, followed by a demanding 505-yard par 4 at the 17th. The 18th is a 453-yard par 4 that can create late pressure when a tournament is close.
Selected TPC Southwind Holes
| Hole | Par | Yardage |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5 | 579 yards |
| 5 | 4 | 529 yards |
| 8 | 3 | 171 yards |
| 14 | 3 | 205 yards |
| 16 | 5 | 530 yards |
| 17 | 4 | 505 yards |
| 18 | 4 | 453 yards |
The exact yardages and setup can change for tournament conditions, but these numbers show why TPC Southwind requires a complete game.
TPC Southwind and the FedEx St. Jude Championship
TPC Southwind is best known worldwide as the host of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The event serves as the opening tournament of the FedExCup Playoffs and brings many of the PGA TOUR’s leading players to Memphis.
The playoff format creates extra pressure. The 2026 event featured the top 70 players in the FedExCup standings, with only the top 50 moving forward to the BMW Championship. That means every round at TPC Southwind can affect a player’s entire postseason.
The championship also has an important charitable connection. Its long relationship with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital gives the tournament a purpose beyond professional golf.
The Latest TPC Southwind Tournament Results
The 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship took place at TPC Southwinds from August 13 to August 16, 2026. Scottie Scheffler won the tournament by eight strokes, which became the largest winning margin in the event’s 68-year history.
Scheffler’s victory showed how dominant a player can be when every part of his game works at TPC Southwind. The 2026 tournament carried a $20 million purse, with $3.6 million awarded to the winner.
FAQs About TPC Southwind
Where is TPC Southwind located?
TPC Southwinds is located in Memphis, Tennessee, within the Southwind community.
Who designed TPC Southwind?
Golf course architect Ron Prichard designed TPC Southwind, with Hubert Green and Fuzzy Zoeller serving as consultants.
What tournament is played at TPC Southwind?
TPC Southwind hosts the PGA TOUR’s FedEx St. Jude Championship.
What is the par at TPC Southwind?
The championship layout plays as a par 70.
Why is TPC Southwind difficult?
Narrow fairways, water on 11 holes, 75 bunkers, thick rough, and demanding greens make the course a serious test.
Final Thoughts
TPC Southwinds is more than a private golf club. It is one of the key stops on the PGA TOUR and an important part of Memphis sports history.
Its narrow fairways, water hazards, bunkers, and demanding greens test every part of a golfer’s game. The course has also gained even greater importance as the starting point of the FedExCup Playoffs.
Whether someone follows professional golf, watches the FedEx St. Jude Championship, or simply wants to understand why the course challenges the world’s best players, TPC Southwinds remains one of the most interesting championship venues in American golf.
