st john helicopter tour

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We do more than just get your from point A to point B. Contact us today and let us customize your experience.

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Helicopter charters in the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and down island.

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Knock it out of the park with your proposal or wedding ceremony.

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Team building at the next level with our Corporate Experiences packages. 

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Experience the islands like never before with our Heli-Adventure Packages.

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You haven't seen the islands until you've seen the from the air. Trust us...

St Thomas - St John Flights

We are currently offering flights by the seat between St John and St Thomas Airport each Saturday. Book your seat below! Private Charters are available daily. 

10:00am | 12:30pm | 1:30pm | 4:30pm

11:00am | 1:00pm | 2:00pm | 5:00pm

Whenever you'd like! :) 

Our Aircraft

Airbus H145

We are very proud and fortunate to offer our clients the most advanced and safest helicopter on the market today. Our new Airbus H145 D3 is a twin engine helicopter with advanced avionics and luxurious interior accommodating up to 8 passengers. 

An experience like no other...

Caribbean Buzz Helicopters is based in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.  Our pilots have been serving the Caribbean for over 20 years. Our crew is extremely experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of domestic and international aviation operations.

We can accommodate all of your helicopter needs including:  tours, charters, and airport transfers.  Our services are limited only by your imagination…

Let us help you create unforgettable memories.

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St John Rides 

Bvi & st thomas.

 Come join us on a private 17-minute tour of the beautiful St. Thomas! Helicopter tours in the Virgin Islands is really only the best way to enjoy the beauty of these islands.

Come join us on a private 30-minute tour of the beautiful St. Thomas! Helicopter tours in the Virgin Islands is really only the best way to enjoy the beauty of these islands.

 Come join us on a private 1-hour tour of the beautiful St. Thomas! Helicopter tours in the Virgin Islands is really only the best way to enjoy the beauty of these islands.

Come join us on a private 1.5 hour tour of the beautiful St. Thomas! Helicopter tours in the Virgin Islands is really only the best way to enjoy the beauty of these islands.

 Come join us on a private 30-minute tour of the beautiful St. John! Helicopter tours in the Virgin Islands is really only the best way to enjoy the beauty of these islands.

 Come join us on a private 1-hour tour of the beautiful St. John! Helicopter tours in the Virgin Islands is really only the best way to enjoy the beauty of these islands.

 Come join us on a private 1 1/2-hour tour of the beautiful St. John! Helicopter tours in the Virgin Islands is really only the best way to enjoy the beauty of these islands.

Alternate modes of transportation can take up to 3 times as long as helicopter transport. Imagine arriving in St. John in only 15 minutes from the St. Thomas airport, or getting to Peter Island in 45 minutes.

 Helicopter Day Trips in the Virgin Islands

Take the scenic route AND save time. Alternate modes of transportation can take up to 3 times as long as helicopter transport. Imagine arriving in St. John in only 15 minutes from the St. Thomas airport, or getting to Peter Island in 45 minutes. 

We can land you  almost anywhere in the BVIs. Just to name a few head directly to Scrub Island, Necker Island, Saba Rock, Bira’s Creek, Oil Nut Bay, the Anegada Beach Club, or The Bitter End in under an hour. Time is precious. Enjoy that sunset.

Caribbean Buzz Helicopters services the British and US Virgin Islands, as well as Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques, Anguilla, and St. Maarten. We are committed to your safety and privacy.

Caribbean Buzz Helicopters, get a thrill out of making your dreams come true. There are many options for spending your days, and we can make them as exciting or as relaxing as you’d like.

Spend a relaxing day or weekend at a resort spa; Saba Rock or Little Dix come to mind.

Spend the day playing golf at Carambola in St. Croix or at your choice of course in Puerto Rico.

Have a fabulous lunch at a beach bar in Anegada. Lobster, anyone? Make it a weekend and learn how to kitesurf or paddleboard.

Got something else in mind? Let us help you put it all together for a fantastic experience.

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CalvinAir Helicopter Tours

Elevating your expectations. discover the caribbean from a new perspective..

Exploring the Caribbean’s beauty from the comfort of a helicopter is the perfect to see the islands from a new perspective. CalvinAir Helicopters offers fully-narrated aerial tours of Antigua and neighbouring Montserrat, as well as custom charter experiences to suit every need.

Licensed as both an Air Operator as well as an Approved Maintenance Organisation, our operation maintains hangar facilities at V.C. Bird International Airport. With two additional heliports, one near the cruise ship pier in St. John’s and the other just outside of Jolly Harbour, we are conveniently situated and poised to deliver first-class service from every location.

Boasting safety, luxury and the latest technology, our Airbus EC130‘s spacious, climate-controlled cabin comfortably accommodates the pilot and up to 6 passengers. Its raised, forward-facing, theatre-style seating and absence of partitions to block the view, gives guests spectacular visibility from every seat.

Contact us by phone, email or website for reservations.

CalvinAir Helicopters

Main Heliport: Fort Road, St. John’s

Secondary Heliport:  Orange Valley, St. Mary’s

Airport Hanger: VC Bird International Airport

Phone: 1-268-789-4354 (HELI)

Website: www.calvinair.com

Email: [email protected]

Category: tours & activities

Distance from airport: 8.8km

Distance from St Johns: 1.9km

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Blue Harbour Helicopters

Island tours, aerial photography, montserrat volcano tours, and private charters.

Meet Shari Potts, an aviation expert with a rich history in the skies. Shari began her aviation journey in 2000 at Great Slave Helicopters in Canada’s Northwest Territories, where she honed her skills as an aircraft maintenance engineer, specializing in Bell 206 series, Eurocopter AS350, and McDonnell Douglas MD500 models. Her dedication led her to Antigua in 2006, although she continued to travel back to Canada for work.

At Carnall Richmond, Shari served as an Aviation Consultant from 2008 to 2013, playing a pivotal role in ensuring seamless contract operations in Antigua. She then took on the mantle of quality manager at Caribbean Helicopters until 2019. Her journey didn’t stop there. Transitioning to Blue Harbour Helicopters, Shari spent four rigorous years securing approvals from ECCAA, setting up operations, assembling a skilled team (including one of the few licensed Antiguan helicopter engineers), and obtaining her own Antiguan Engineer license, all in preparation for establishing her own venture.

Beyond her outstanding professional accomplishments, Shari finds immense joy in parenting alongside her partner Tanner, raising their children Carrack and Tyden. Her commitment to Antigua was further solidified in 2019 when she was granted Antiguan citizenship, cementing her deep ties to the country.

Introducing the skilled pilot, David Friesen, whose aviation journey began over two decades ago. Originally from Canada, he brings a wealth of experience to the team. While he delved into helicopter flying intensively for the past four years, his initial steps into aviation date back to 2000. Before entering aviation, David showcased his management prowess by successfully running his own business.

David boasts over 1800 hours of helicopter flight experience and holds a private license for fixed-wing aircraft. His focus in the last four years has revolved around forestry aerial application, forest fire fighting, community transfers in Little Grand Rapids, Manitoba, and diverse charter work. His expertise spans a range of aviation domains, making him an invaluable asset to the team.

Beyond his qualifications, it’s David’s unwavering dedication and genuine passion for flying that define him as a reliable and experienced professional in the field.

Antigua Island Tours

Full Island Tour – 26 Minutes

A full island tour of approximately 26 minutes costs US$185.00 per person

Half Island Tour – 15 Minutes

A half-island tour of approximately 15 minutes costs US$105.00 per person

Montserrat Volcano Tour

Upon arrival, your expedition unveils the island’s captivating history, starting at the former airport on the east side, offering views of awe-inspiring pyroclastic flows and the buried remnants of Plymouth, the former capital. Continuing along the coastline, witness the majestic Soufriere Hills Volcano’s lava dome and explore Tar River Gorge before returning to Antigua.

Join us for a pilot-narrated helicopter tour showcasing Montserrat’s marvels, creating memories to cherish forever.

This 45-minute trip costs US$295.00 per person

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BBQ Boat Antigua

Sweet wadadli jungle rides.

Montserrat Volcano Tour

Experience this 45-minute, pilot-narrated, aerial adventure over the sparkling Caribbean waters to the island of Montserrat. Here, at the centre of the ‘Exclusion Zone’, an area where access is strictly managed, is the active and explosive Soufrière Hills Volcano. Rising to an impressive 3,000 feet and dominating the island, the volcano towers above the Tar River Gorge and Delta.

In 1997, the volcano erupted, making two-thirds of the island uninhabitable. This tour allows you to experience the massive destruction as you fly over a collection of evacuated villages, the previous location of the WH Bramble Airport, and the charred remains of the former capital, Plymouth, which is now partially buried under 40 feet of ash.

Witness the smoke and steam of a live volcano up-close… all from the safety of a helicopter. A once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Did you know?   Our pilots provide weekly aerial support to the scientists at the MVO (Montserrat Volcano Observatory)? CalvinAir was also tasked by the CDEMA (Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency) to assist the team of scientists monitoring St. Vincent’s La Soufrière right after its infamous 2020 eruption. We know volcanoes!

Other Available Tours

Antigua full-island tour, antigua half-island tour.

Full Island Antigua Helicopter Experience

Tour overiew.

Unforgettable helicopter tour of Antigua's highlights! Experience the thrill of flying low over crystal-clear waters, witnessing 100+ miles of shoreline, magnificent beaches, historic sites, and breathtaking scenery. Complete with live narration, this tour takes you on a captivating journey encompassing Falmouth Harbour, English Harbour, Jumby Bay, and more before landing back in Antigua.

Description

What better way to take in the highlights of Antigua than by helicopter! The exhilaration of flying in a helicopter low over the crystal-clear waters will be an experience you will never forget. You will see it all!

You will be met either at your hotel or in St John’s by the cruise ship by your guide and escorted to your awaiting air-conditioned transfer. Upon arrival at the helipad, here you will be briefed on your flight before beginning your adventure. You will then board your private 6 seater Bell 206 helicopter for a fully narrated and truly memorable Antigua tour.

This breath-taking tour ascends over Antigua's fabulous beaches and gives you a chance to see the entire circumference of Antigua, which includes over 100 miles of shoreline! Every beach, hotel, reef, outer islands and historic fortification is along the route, and as with all our tours, complete live narration by the pilot is included.

You'll skim the crystal-clear waters of the West Coast, passing Five Islands, Jolly Harbour, past Fig Tree Drive and over the extraordinary Cades Reef and past Rendezvous Bay. The super-yachts anchored at Falmouth Harbour will come into view, followed by historic English Harbour including Nelson’s Dockyard, Dow’s Hill and Shirley's Heights Lookout. The tour continues past the famous Half Moon Bay and past Green Island and Stingray City as you hug the north coast and the outlying Antigua islands. You’ll pass Great Bird Island, Green Island Guiana Island, Prickly Pear Island, Long Bay and the famous Jumby Bay, island of the rich and famous and more beaches and fantastic scenery before passing Dickenson Bay and returning to our helipad right next to St. John’s.

Your tour ends back at our helipad on Fort Road and your transfer back to your hotel or St John’s.

Important Info

Check-in location, check-in time, important information.

Route may vary due to weather conditions. The max weight to participate is 230 lbs. per person, max height is 6’ 4”. Actual flying time is approximately 12-15 minutes. The order of sights visited may vary. Participation on this tour is very limited. We recommend you bring a camera and comfortable walking shoes.

What's Included

• The helicopter tour

What's Excluded

• Return transportation

What to bring

• Comfortable walking shoes

Where to go

1 1/4 hours

Transport available

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Shore Excursion Details

Montserrat volcano tour, st. john's, antigua.

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• 1 3/4 hrs Estimate Duration

Behold the breathtaking beauty of the still-active Soufriere Hills volcano on neighboring Montserrat from a helicopter with tiered seating that ensures a great view. As you fly high above the turquoise sea between the islands of Antigua and Montserrat, the pilot will describe the devastation from the volcano since 1995, when it erupted for the first time in centuries. The volcano eventually buried the capital of Plymouth in ash and forced it to be abandoned. Much of southern Montserrat lies within the Exclusion Zone, an area that is considered too hazardous to enter except by flying overhead. From the comfort of the helicopter, you will enjoy a literal bird’s-eye view of the Exclusion Zone, the volcano and the destruction from past eruptions. Few experiences are quite so memorable. Be sure keep looking down on the way to and from Montserrat as whales and sea turtles are often spotted.

• Observe a still-active volcano on Montserrat from high above in a helicopter.
• See the widespread destruction that the volcano’s past eruptions have caused.
• Look for whales and sea turtles in the waters between Antigua and Montserrat islands.
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Need to Know:

Check out the, activity attributes, excursion type:.

Flight Tours

Activity level:.

• 3 Challenging

ST JOHNS HELIPORT

Helicopter sightseeing tours.

Helicopter Joy Ride St Johns

What could be a better way of discovering St Johns than doing a private helicopter ride ? This way of exploring a destination is getting more and more popular as it helps to visit a wider area over a shorter period of time. The emotion of flying and admiring the beautiful views from the chopper is something unforgettable. Enjoy the ride of a lifetime. Our helicopter sightseeing tour St Johns is one of the most exciting ways to admire the beauty of the landscape around St Johns. This private flight offers our guests the opportunity to see St Johns and the surroundings the whole new way from the blue sky. You can bring your loved one up in the air and get an eagle eye view of the city. Whether you are celebrating an anniversary a birthday or a marriage , taking children up in the air, this helicopter scenic flight St Johns is perfect for you. Our experienced crew and a safe aircraft are the perfect blend to make your joy ride in St Johns worth remembering. Our mobile application for iOS and Android devices, is a great tool to plan your joy ride by yourself and to get an immediate estimate of the cost . For example, to calculate cost of a 30 min. joy ride in St Johns, click on quotation , select one way flight and choose St Johns both as a place of departure and destination.

What To Expect

May 11, 2024, plan your flight with our app.

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Nine things to know: All about Valhalla Golf Club

Need to Know

No. 11, Holler: It’s a middle- to long-iron shot into a shallow green that features a slight false front, with a large bunker in front and a smaller one behind. The green angles right to left, but shots going too far left will bound down the steep hillside. (Source: PGA of America)

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Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, was built specifically to host major championships, and it has stood the test of time. Now recently polished and upgraded, the course is ready to host this year’s PGA Championship.

1. WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Its name alone invokes epic tales, and it has been the site of some. Valhalla refers to the mythological Norse hall of slain warriors who rest under the watchful eye of the warrior god Odin. A bit fanciful, perhaps. But the original ownership hired Jack Nicklaus in the 1980s to design a major-championship venue, and the venue has produced memorable theatrics during three PGA Championships (1996 – Mark Brooks; 2000 - Tiger Woods; 2014 – Rory McIlroy), two Senior PGA Championships (2004 – Hale Irwin; 2011 – Tom Watson) and the 2008 Ryder Cup (USA). Perhaps another humbled god of yore can rise again this time.

The first PGA saw Kentucky’s own Kenny Perry fall in a sudden-death playoff to Mark Brooks. Perry made a mess of the first extra hole after making the questionable decision to be interviewed in the CBS broadcast booth instead of keeping warm on the range. Perry also lost a sudden-death playoff at the 2009 Masters after making bogey on the final two holes of regulation. He never did get his major championship, but he got redemption in his home state when, at the age of 48, he was a member of the U.S. Team that won the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla. That team, captained by Paul Azinger, set a template that the U.S. side has been trying to replicate since.

Valhalla’s next PGA, held just four years after Brooks’ victory, was Woods’ third consecutive major win. He became the first man since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors in the same year and went on to win the following year’s Masters to complete the Tiger Slam. Woods had to hole a downhill, sliding 7-footer for birdie to force a playoff with plucky underdog Bob May, then dispatched of him in a three-hole playoff. The scene of Woods chasing down his birdie putt and pointing at the hole on the first extra hole is perhaps the most famous moment at Valhalla.

Photo Finish: This epic finishing hole bends gracefully to the right, with a large bunker to the left of the landing zone and a beautiful water feature on the right. Most players can get home in two, but will have to contend with a big bunker in front and a smaller pot bunker left. The vast, horseshoe-shaped green has distinct putting areas left, center, and right, so simply getting on the surface is no guarantee of a good score. (Source: PGA of America)

Straight Up: The tee shot must find the uphill, left-angling fairway, which means avoiding the two large bunkers, one on each side of the landing area. Then the approach must find the green, which is completely surrounded by trouble—two bunkers to the left and tightly mown turf everywhere else. (Source: PGA of America)

Homestretch: Brush Run Creek lines the right side of this slight dogleg-right, as well. But the real difficulty is the formidable green complex, which features two bunkers in front and a severe drop-off to a closely manicured chipping area to the right. The natural amphitheater is a prime spot for spectator viewing. (Source: PGA of America)

Julep: Unfortunately, that’s not mint julep in Brush Run Creek, which runs down the entire right side of the hole. The landing area is framed by deep bluegrass rough to the left and a large bunker to the right. The creek and a small bunker edge the right side of the large green, with a bigger bunker on the left. (Source: PGA of America)

On The Rocks: The longest par 3 on the course, and also one of the best views of the surrounding countryside. The serene setting gets more serious around the two-tiered green, which is sandwiched between two bunkers in front and two behind. Playing from either of the two rear bunkers can be especially painful as the green slopes from back to front. (Source: PGA of America)

The Limestone Hole: Don’t let the distance deceive you: Yes, it’s the shortest two-shot hole on the course, but those two shots have to be good. A cluster of six bunkers sits just to the left of the fairway landing zone, while the green is a true island, surrounded by water and built up nearly 20 feet on large limestone boulders. (Source: PGA of America)

Holler: It’s a middle- to long-iron shot into a shallow green that features a slight false front, with a large bunker in front and a smaller one behind. The green angles right to left, but shots going too far left will bound down the steep hillside. (Source: PGA of America)

Sting Like A Bee: This hole has an island fairway which is especially difficult because it doglegs to the right and then leaves an approach shot of 170-190 yards to an elevated green. One of the deepest bunkers on the course sits to the right of the angled putting surface, while the bluegrass rough to the left is gnarly and painful. (Source: PGA of America)

Big Red: Named after Secretariat, the big, long-distance thoroughbred, this hole is a double-dogleg with a fairway bunker on the right side of the driving zone and deep rough and trees to the left. The undulating, two-tiered green is nearly perpendicular to the fairway and protected by a large, deep bunker in front. (Source: PGA of America)

Twin Spires: The tee shot at this uphill par 4 is challenged by three fairway bunkers along the right side and two more left. The uphill approach makes judging the yardage difficult, exaggerated by the presence of one of the largest and deepest bunkers on the course just right of the green.The green itself is one of the most undulating on the entire golf course. (Source: PGA of America)

Float Like A Butterfly: It’s only a short- to middle-iron in, but the green complex is as dangerous as a Muhammad Ali combination. The front is protected by a deep bunker and a severe, closely manicured collection area. There is another bunker left, and another low-mow collection area beyond the green. The large, angled green affords numerous testing hole locations. (Source: PGA of America)

Genuine Risk: The split fairway sets up a classic risk vs. reward dilemma. Driving to the left shortens the hole by more than 50 yards, but the landing area is only 26 yards wide, surrounded by bluegrass rough, and guarded by water right; the approach from this island fairway is 210-230 yards, all over water. Driving to the right is longer but safer. With water along the front and left side of the green, it’s a brave player who attacks from any angle. (Source: PGA of America)

Long Shot: The name “Long Shot” refers not to distance but one’s chance of making a par on this difficult hole. It demands an accurate tee shot, and for some players will be something less than a driver as the aim is to get as close to Floyd’s Fork as one dares. Even after a good drive, players will still be looking at over 200 yards to a challenging green complex: A deep bunker guards the left side, a closely mown collection area lurks on the right. (Source: PGA of America)

The Sun Shines Bright: The fairway on this dogleg-right is bracketed by a large fairway bunker on the right side and three bunkers on the left. The large, triangular green is also guarded on both sides, by a large bunker right and a closely mown collection area left. The back-right hole location is one of the most challenging on the course. (Source: PGA of America)

Mine That Bird: The aggressive line on this short-ish par 4 is down the left side, carrying the large bunker at the inside of the dogleg-left’s elbow. When the tee is moved forward most players can drive the green, but this brings Floyd’s Fork into play to the left side of the green and the putting surface features significant movement and contours. Golfers who choose to lay back and approach with a wedge will need precise distance control to get near the hole wherever it’s positioned. (Source: PGA of America)

Honest Abe: Named after Kentucky’s only president (Lincoln was born in Larue County, about 70 miles south of Valhalla; his family moved to Illinois when he was 7), this challenging par 3 demands an “honest” attempt. Floyd’s Fork sweeps around to the right of the green, which also is guarded by a large bunker to the right and smaller bunkers to the left and behind. But the real danger is misreading the wind, which can push a shot to the right side, which slopes down toward the hazards. (Source: PGA of America)

The Post: The challenge on this dogleg-left is not only off the tee, but also on the approach. The large front-right bunker is both visually intimidating and a real threat when the hole is cut front-left or back-right. The left bunker will catch errant shots aimed at the back of the green. (Source: PGA of America)

Winning Colors: Another slight dogleg left, this long par 4 is lined with beautiful Kentucky hardwoods. Tee shots need to stay clear of a finger of Floyd’s Fork, a waterway that runs along the left side of the fairway and green, and continues to meander through the front nine. Also protecting the angled green are three bunkers, two front-left and one back-right. (Source: PGA of America)

McIlroy will mark something of a milestone when he returns to Valhalla this week. This was the site of his fourth – and most recent major – victory. That tournament was held in August, so we are a few months short of an exact decade, but there will no doubt be reflections on the fact that McIlroy won four majors from 2011-14 but has not won one since. He finished off his 2014 PGA Championship in the dark after storms delayed the final round. It was his second major win of the year, coming on the heels of his victory a month earlier in The Open.

2. BIG BALLPARK

This is a golf club, not a country club, and everything about it is big in scale. It’s a golf facility built for the modern game and built for hosting big events. The 485-acre property sits 20 miles east of downtown Louisville, easily accessible by highway and with plenty of local parking to accommodate the large crowds.

With 60 feet of elevation change across the entire site, Valhalla is easily walkable. There’s also plenty of room alongside the holes to provide spectators with excellent viewing and to tuck the necessary cart paths behind mounds or in the trees. The two tees of the double-sided practice area sit 350 yards apart so there’s no need to worry about netting on the practice area, either. The takeaway? There’s no shortage of space at Valhalla.

3. HAZARD-OUS MATERIAL

The corridors at Valhalla are framed by the spartan use of bunkers and the creeks that wind through the property. There are 62 bunkers on the course, and they’re almost evenly deployed between the fairways and the greens.

The fairway bunkers tend to line the sides of the landing zones, which are approximately 25 yards wide. They’re not necessarily there to define ideal lines of play or to present players with risky, but rewarding, carries. They simply constrict the landing areas and penalize those who stray from the fairway.

The greenside bunkers also help define aerial lines of play; these are perched up putting surfaces that are not designed for ground-game approaches. In this sense, the course is distinctly modern in its encouragement of aerial power.

Additional strategy is provided by two meandering streams: Floyd’s Fork on the front nine and Brush Run Creek on the back nine. Together, they influence play on seven holes should players come up short with their approaches or wander too far afield with their tee shots.

4. LONG GAME

Valhalla has been lengthened by 151 yards for this year’s PGA Championship, a 2% increase over its yardage in 2014. It will now top out at 7,609 yards and have a par of 71. Over that same decade, the average drive on the PGA TOUR has increased by 2.8%. That means the effective playing distance is marginally less than it was a decade ago, especially when considering the added length that iron shots travel. Valhalla’s added length is part of ongoing renovation by the Nicklaus design team. Recent changes were concentrated on four holes: the par-4 first and 12th holes, the par-3 14th and par-5 closing hole.

The first hole will now play approximately 50 yards longer, while 20 yards have been added to No. 12. The 14th hole can now be played as a 250-yard par-3.

5. THREE KEY HOLES

These are three holes to keep an eye on this week:

No. 4: The 372-yard par 4 normally plays as a lay-up off the tee to a tightly-bunkered fairway and then a wedge to a well-guarded green. But the PGA’s Chief Championship Officer, Kerry Haigh, has indicated that the tees will “probably” be moved up at some point, in which case many players will tempt what amounts to a 305-yard carry to the green. Making the hole drivable brings Floyd’s Fork into play left of the putting surface.

No. 6: This 495-yard par 4 will likely be the toughest hole all week. Players have to back off on a driver because the fairway ends at 295 yards, bisected by Floyd’s Fork. It’s a 340-yard carry past trees and creek to reach the other side. Modesty off the tee leaves most players with 200 yards remaining to a perched green that falls off steeply on the left. Miss the fairway off the tee and par becomes very elusive.

No. 13: This 351-yard par 4 is Valhalla’s most photographed hole, and for good reason. It plays from an elevated tee to a densely-bunkered fairway. The approach is hit to a fortress of an island green that has absolutely no support around it. You either hit the 5,662-square-foot green or you are in the water. The risk-reward ratio is extremely high, so everyone rational lays up off the tee and then tries to hit the green with a wedge. The hole has recently been excavated anew to expose its supportive limestone and adjoining waterfall. It's quite the spectacle.

6. THAT 18TH

Fitting for a course in Kentucky, the 18th hole is nicknamed “Photo Finish,” and it has provided plenty of those. Two of the three PGAs held at Valhalla have been decided in a playoff, while the other was a one-shot victory.

For this year’s PGA, the par 5 has been lengthened by 28 yards to 570. It's still within reach of most of the field, but players will need to hit the fairway to get home in two.

The oversized green is 6,534 square feet. It wraps around a mammoth “lion’s mouth” bunker that is in front of the green and divides it into three sections. The green serves as center stage, surrounded by hills that create a huge amphitheater for spectators.

Perry bogeyed the hole in 1996, then watched Brooks make a 4-footer for birdie to force a playoff. Brooks birdied it again to win on the first extra hole.

Four years later, Woods had to hole a 7-foot birdie on No. 18 to force a three-hole playoff with May. And in 2014, the PGA had one of its most memorable finishes as McIlroy asserted himself on the 18th tee, finishing in the dark to avoid having to return the next day to complete his one-stroke win.

7. NEW GRASS

Louisville occupies what turfgrass folks call the “transition zone.” That is the mid-central region of the United States, which is in between a more Northern climate that favors bentgrass and a Southern climate suited for Bermudagrass. The mid-season heat and humidity that Valhalla endures is not ideal for cool-season grasses, and that meant that the club’s original bentgrass fairways and tees were prone to wilting and required extra care.

In 2021, the club switched 30 acres of fairway and teeing grounds to Zeon Zoysia, a fine-bladed turfgrass that thrives in the local conditions and requires less water, chemicals and labor. That leads to annual savings of $250,000 in maintenance.

From a competition standpoint, the Zoysia will play firmer, faster and effectively speed up the ground game, placing more of a premium on accurate ballstriking. That shrinks the playing surface because the ball will roll more after landing. In other words, it’s a more sustainable playing surface that also requires more precise play. It’s a win-win.

8. NEW GREENS

Valhalla’s greens, which were rebuilt in 2011, are on the small side for championship golf. They average approximately 5,000 square feet, which makes them the third-smallest thus far in the PGA TOUR season. Only those at Pebble Beach (3,500 square feet) and Harbour Town (3,700) have been smaller. This also is just the third time in 2024 that the TOUR pros will face bentgrass putting surfaces, following those at Augusta National and TPC Craig Ranch recently for THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson.

Valhalla’s greens are visible from the approach area, even if not every pin placement can be seen. The course generally presents itself very well visually, a design trait of Nicklaus. With putting surfaces mowed to 1/10th of an inch, they will likely support speeds of 12-12.5 on the Stimpmeter. The breaks tend to be subtle, not swooping, and particular attention must be paid to putts inside 5-6 feet given the presence of modest contours at the cup.

9. SUPER STUFF

Valhalla’s superintendent, John Bollard, is a 25-year veteran of the turfgrass industry. He has spent the past five years at Valhalla, where he oversaw the installation of the Zeon Zoysia fairways and tees. He’s also been prepping for his first professional major through close observation of the set-ups at Southern Hills for the 2022 PGA and last year at Oak Hill. It helps having a brand-new shop and storage area, plus the support of three assistants, a total of 40 employees, and – for championship week – another 125 volunteers.

He'll have Valhalla ready for another memorable finish.

Valhalla Golf Club 2024 PGA Championship

Card of the course:

Bradley S. Klein is a veteran golf writer and author of 10 books on course design. A former PGA TOUR caddie, he was architecture editor of Golfweek for over two decades and is now a freelance journalist and course design consultant. Follow Bradley S. Klein on Twitter .