Going to the PGA Championship at Aronimink? Here’s what to know, including transit, parking, food options, and more
Headed to this year's tournament which will take place in Newtown Square beginning May 14? Here are a few things to know before you go.
The PGA Championship will return to the Greater Philadelphia area for the first time since 1962 at Aronimink Golf Club, beginning May 14.
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re going to the tournament in Newtown Square …
What is the PGA Championship, and who’s playing?
The PGA Championship is one of the four major professional men’s golf tournaments, alongside the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open. The field of 156 golfers is expected to include many of the game’s biggest names, including back-to-back Masters champion Rory McIlroy and defending PGA Championship winner Scottie Scheffler. They are competing for a $20 million prize purse, with $3.6 million going to the victor.
There are also 20 PGA of America Golf Professionals — those who work at local clubs as teaching pros or golf directors — who have qualified to tee it up. They earned their spot in the competition by finishing among the top 20 at April’s PGA Professional Championship. One of them is Aston native Braden Shattuck of Rolling Green Golf Club. He will be playing in his third PGA Championship.
How can I attend the PGA Championship?
Single-day tickets for all four championship rounds, Thursday through Sunday, are sold out, but tickets for practice rounds on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are available through SeatGeek, the Championship’s ticketing partner.
For those looking to get into the Championship rounds, single-day tickets are available on the secondary market, and a weekly package that grants entry for all seven days of the tournament is available through the PGA.
How do I get to Aronimink?
Two paid parking lots will be available for those driving to the PGA Championship: the blue lot at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial on West Chester Pike and the red lot at Delaware County Community College on Media Line Road. The Championship will operate free shuttles from both lots to the course.
Both parking lots require prepaid passes. Passes start at $25 per vehicle for practice rounds and go up to $41 for Saturday and Sunday.
Spectators looking to take a ride share must be picked up and dropped off at the Championship’s official ride share lot at 15 Campus Blvd., where the tournament will operate free shuttles.
No street parking or spectator drop-offs will be allowed on the roads that border the course — Sawmill Road, State Route 252, or North Newtown Road — during the week of the Championship.
Can I take SEPTA to the PGA Championship?
Yes, and the event’s organizers are highly encouraging spectators to utilize SEPTA’s regional rail to get to and from Aronimink.
The Championship is running a complimentary shuttle between Paoli Station and Aronimink, and SEPTA will operate an increased frequency of trains in both directions on the Paoli-Thorndale line during the tournament. To take the shuttle from Paoli Station to the course, spectators must show proof of a Championship ticket.
According to SEPTA, five extra trains will service the Paoli-Thorndale line every 30 minutes from Monday to Friday, and nine extra trains will run every hour on Saturday and Sunday. Trains on the line depart from Jefferson Station and Suburban Station in Center City.
When does the course open?
The gates to Aronimink open at 8 a.m. for practice rounds on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; at 6 a.m. for the first and second rounds of the Championship on Thursday and Friday; and at 7:15 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The course closes at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and will close at 8 p.m. for all four Championship rounds.
Shuttles from the prepaid parking lots, the designated ride share lot and Paoli Station will start at 7:30 a.m. for the practice rounds, 5:45 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 6:45 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. All shuttles run 30 minutes after the grounds close for the day.
What time does the golf start?
On Thursday and Friday, the first group will tee off at 6:45 a.m. The scheduled tee time for the first group on Saturday and Sunday is 7:35 a.m. There are no designated tee times for the practice rounds, but the first tee will open at 7 a.m. and close at 3 p.m.
What can I bring into Aronimink?
The course does not have a clear bag policy for the tournament, but all bags must be smaller than 10 inches by all dimensions, and all backpacks and drawstring bags are prohibited.
Spectators can bring in small folding chairs, strollers, umbrellas and one sealed bottle of water per spectator. Media-style digital cameras are permitted for the practice rounds but will not be allowed in once Championship play begins on Thursday.
What food and drinks are available?
All tickets to this year’s PGA Championship are Championship+ tickets, which include food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Spectators at the event can select one beverage, one entrée, and one snack item at four concession stands around the course, as many times as they would like, at no additional charge. Beer and other alcoholic beverages will need to be purchased.
The course will have breakfast options, including biscuit sandwiches, doughnuts, and fruit, as well as lunch options like hot dogs, hamburgers, a Mediterranean salad, and a plant-based burger, among other choices.
If you have more questions, be sure to check out the PGA Championship’s spectator guide.
Where are other food options in Newtown Square?
If a quick bite is all you need, one of Craig LaBan’s favorite hoagie spots is just around the corner. Get the hot beef hoagie from A Cut Above Deli, where the prime roast beef is cut by the owner and dunked into a dark, rich gravy. It’s located minutes from the course, as well as both parking areas and the ride share lot.
Or consider Wonder, the food hall chain that promises to get your food out in under 30 minutes. Enjoy Detroit Brick pizzas, Bobby Flay’s steaks, Tejas Barbecue, and more. If an extensive wine list is what you’re looking for, newcomer Napa Kitchen & Wine is your best bet. The California-inspired restaurant has a wide selection of domestic and international pours. Or if it’s fresh sushi and ramen you crave, head to Otaka.
Other options include Turning Point, Hiramasa, Tiffin Indian Cuisine, Spread Bagelry, Buenos Aires Empanada Bar, and Sedona Taphouse and Brewery.
What else is there to do in the Philly area?
If you’re traveling to Philly and staying closer to the city during the tournament — or looking for something to do after the golf is over for the day — we have no shortage of resources to help you plan your stay, especially when it comes to food.
Start on our food page, which features a restaurant finder as well as “best of” lists for everything from cheesesteaks to fine dining and from breakfast sandwiches to water ice. And while you’re there, be sure to visit The 76, our list of the 76 essential restaurants in the region.
There’s also never a shortage of events in the city once the sun goes down. Each week, we wrap up a list of the best events in Philly, so be sure to check out our Philly’s Best page for the latest.
What will be available in the merch tent?
The PGA Shops at the Championship, located between holes one and two, will feature some Philly-centric gear featuring Aronimink and the Wanamaker Trophy.
Some merch is already available on the PGA’s online store, and those looking to get their hands on gear early will have the opportunity to do so during the shop’s grand opening.
The PGA Shops will open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 8 through May 10. A ticket to the PGA Championship is not required to shop during the store’s grand opening. A shuttle will run to and from the store from a free parking area at AmeriHealth Caritas on West Chester Pike.
