It’s not every day we see comparisons like this one. The debate about Quail Hollow’s merits has sparked a lively discussion among golf fans and experts. Quail Hollow, the venue for the 2025 PGA Championship, has been a staple on the PGA Tour for years, with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1959. So, what happened all of a sudden? Well, see for yourself.

Hunter Mahan, a six-time PGA Tour winner, weighed in on the course’s design, saying, “I guess I would say Quail Hollow is like a Kardashian. It’s very modern, beautiful and well-kept. But it lacks a soul or character.” This comparison highlights the divide in opinions about the course, with some players loving it and others criticizing its design.

According to Andy Johnson of The Fried Egg, “Quail Hollow is a good modern test, but it lacks the substance to be a great test.” Webb Simpson, a PGA Tour player and Quail Hollow member, disagrees, saying, “The golf course is very challenging, but it’s not tricked up. Guys love being challenged in the right way.”

The PGA of America’s championship team will attempt to make the course play more like a major with thick rough and strategic pins. Quail Hollow has undergone significant changes over the years, including recent modifications to its par-4 16th hole, where a new tee was added to bring the fairway bunker back into play for long hitters.

This change is just one example of the PGA Championship course’s ongoing evolution. And that’s the reason fans are mad at the comparison and are taking it to social media to express their anger.

Netizens find Hunter Mahan’s comments on Quail Hollow’s setup for the PGA Championship ‘diabolical’

Starting off strong with what one fan said, “That’s a diabolical insult,” while the other wrote, “That’s probably fair but it’s still a nice course.” Well, there is one golfer who agrees with the statement that Quail Hollow is an impressive course. The 2024 PGA Championship winner, Xander Schauffele, has noticed the course’s unique conditions this year, saying, “It’s a big boy golf course, Championship style.” Schauffele highlighted that the fairways seem softer than usual due to the rain, affecting the way the ball behaves. Unlike previous years, when the ball would bound into bunkers and rough, the softer fairways require different shot execution.

Not only Schauffele, but Max Homa also has positive thoughts about Quail Hollow. Homa says, “I’m hopeful now the long guys can’t fly the right bunker because that was a problem with the old tee,” indicating that he likes the changes made to the course. He notes that the previous tee gave long hitters an unfair advantage, but the new one makes the hole more challenging.

“I think Quail is a nice course,” said one fan, while the other said, “As long as they stay clear from Tiger we’re good.” Well, what they did to Augusta after Tiger Woods’s win in 1997 was quite significant. The course underwent major changes, often referred to as “Tiger proofing,” aimed at protecting the original design’s risk-reward drama while keeping up with the modern game. One notable change was lengthening all the par-5 holes to counter the increasing power of golfers. Even this year, a new back tee was added to the 2nd hole.

One fan said something that everyone will agree with as they wrote, “savage. 😂😂.” Well, that was what fans thought but what about you? With the 2025 PGA Championship just days away, what are your thoughts on Quail Hollow’s setup—and will it live up to the hype of golf’s third major?