The Golfer's Journal Podcast Episode 209: How To Win At Aronimink
May 7, 2026
Jeff Kiddie, Director of Golf at Aronimink with 18 years prepping the course for majors, previews the 2026 PGA Championship. He breaks down what makes the Donald Ross par-70 uniquely demanding. Short segments cover the Gil Hanse restoration, where toughness will be added, and a hole-by-hole tour that pinpoints viewing spots and where the championship will be won and lost.
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Aronimink Rewards Complete Ball Strikers
- Winners at Aronimink tend to be strong all-around players rather than the absolute longest bombers; accurate driving and iron play matter most.
- Jeff cites champions like Gary Player, Justin Rose and Keegan Bradley as examples of precise iron play over pure distance.
Predict Scoring By Watching Firmness Not Yardage
- Expect scoring to hinge on course firmness: firm conditions limit targetability while soft conditions produce low scores.
- Jeff reminds listeners that a 20-under winning total occurred at a wet BMW week, but memorable tournaments hinge on Sunday drama, not score.
Finish Delivers Balanced Risk And Reward
- The closing stretch will produce drama with variety: a drivable 13, a long par-3 14, a 545-yard 15, gettable 16 and a strong uphill 18.
- Jeff says that mix of gettable and demanding holes creates theater and reward for different shot types down the stretch.
