Golf fans searching for TPC Southwind usually want one of three things. They want to know what makes this Memphis course so tough, how much it costs to join, or how players like Sungjae Im are performing there this week. This guide answers all three questions in one place, using the latest details from the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship.
TPC Southwind sits in southeast Memphis, Tennessee, and it has earned a reputation as one of the most demanding tests on the PGA Tour calendar. Narrow fairways, deep rough, and water hazards on eleven holes make this course a genuine grind, even for the best players in the world. It also happens to be a private club, which means membership details are just as searched as the course layout itself.
Below, you will find everything currently known about TPC Southwind, its recent renovation, its membership structure, and how Sungjae Im is performing in the 2026 championship.
Basic Information About TPC Southwind
Here is a snapshot table before we go deeper into each topic.
| Category | Details |
| Location | Southeast Memphis, Tennessee |
| Course type | Private, championship golf course |
| Opened | 1987 |
| Designer | Ron Prichard |
| Land size | 220 acres |
| Par | 70 |
| Total yardage | Up to 7,288 yards |
| Hole breakdown | 12 par-4s, 4 par-3s, 2 par-5s |
| Water hazards | Present on 11 holes |
| Bunkers | 75 sand bunkers |
| Signature holes | 14th (par 3) and 18th (par 4) |
| Home tournament | FedEx St. Jude Championship |
| Tournament role | Opening leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs |
| Field size | Top 70 players from the regular season |
| Cut line | None, all four rounds guaranteed |
| Recent renovation | Multi-million dollar upgrade for 2025–2026 season |
Now let’s break each of these points down in detail.
Where Is TPC Southwind Located?
TPC Southwind is tucked into southeast Memphis, Tennessee. It’s a private facility, so daily access is limited to members and their guests, along with fans attending the annual FedEx St. Jude Championship. The course has become closely tied to Memphis’s sporting identity, and it remains one of the more recognizable stops on the PGA Tour thanks to its unique layout and playoff significance.
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The History and Design of TPC Southwind
The course first opened its doors in 1987, and it has spent nearly four decades building a reputation among tour professionals. Designer Ron Prichard crafted a layout that rewards precision far more than power. That design philosophy is exactly why players consistently call it one of the toughest ball-striking tests on tour.
Ahead of the 2025–2026 season, TPC Southwind underwent a significant renovation. The upgrade focused heavily on restoring the green complexes, sharpening the course’s competitive edge for tour-level play. The renovation didn’t just refresh the aesthetics either. It touched the turf itself, with Zeon Zoysiagrass now covering the fairways, Tahoma Bermudagrass on the tees, and TifEagle Bermudagrass forming the smooth, fast greens players putt on today.
Course Layout and Specifications
TPC Southwind plays as a par 70, stretching up to 7,288 yards from the tips. The hole distribution breaks down as follows:
- 12 par-4 holes
- 4 par-3 holes
- 2 par-5 holes
This heavy concentration of par-4s is part of why scoring stays tight during tournament week. There simply aren’t many easy birdie opportunities built into the routing.
What Makes TPC Southwind So Difficult
Three things define the challenge at TPC Southwind: narrow fairways, thick rough, and water. Water hazards come into play on eleven different holes, which means a single loose swing off the tee or into the green can turn a routine par into a costly bogey. Add in 75 sand bunkers strategically placed around the property, and it becomes clear why even elite ball strikers treat this course with respect.
The Most Famous Holes at TPC Southwind
Every tough course has a stretch that defines it, and at TPC Southwind, that stretch comes at the finish.
The 14th Hole: A Par 3 Built to Intimidate
The 14th hole plays 239 yards and channels the same intimidating energy as the island green at TPC Sawgrass. Players are forced to carry a long iron entirely over water just to find the putting surface. There’s no bailout here, so a mistimed shot usually means a lost ball and a big number on the card.
The 18th Hole: A Dramatic Closing Statement
The finishing hole runs 461 yards as a par 4, with a steep dogleg-left shape. Water tracks the entire left side, hugging both the fairway and the green. It’s a fitting way to end a round, since it demands accuracy right up until the final putt.
TPC Southwind and the FedEx St. Jude Championship
TPC Southwind serves as host for the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and this event carries extra weight because it opens the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Only the top 70 players from the regular season earn a spot in the field, and unlike most tour events, there’s no 36-hole cut. Every player who tees it up plays all four rounds.
That format changes the pressure dynamic completely. Players aren’t fighting to survive the weekend. They’re fighting across four full rounds, often in oppressive Memphis summer heat, to finish inside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings. Only those top 50 advance to the next playoff stop, the BMW Championship.
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TPC Southwind Membership Cost: What We Know
TPC Southwind keeps its exact membership pricing private, and none of it appears on the club’s official website. That said, industry sources, forum discussions, and golf publications have pieced together a reasonable estimate of what joining actually costs.
Estimated Membership Pricing Breakdown
| Cost Component | Estimated Range | Notes |
| Initiation fee | $7,500 to $30,000 | Upfront, non-refundable, varies by tier |
| Monthly dues | $500 to $1,500 | Covers operations, maintenance, facility access |
| Food and beverage minimum | $150 per quarter | Mandatory spending requirement at club venues |
For younger members, entry costs tend to run lower. Junior and young professional memberships, aimed at golfers under 40, have historically started around a $3,000 initiation fee paired with roughly $390 in monthly dues.
Membership Tiers at TPC Southwind
The club structures its invitations into three main categories:
- Regular Golf Membership: Full access to the 18-hole championship course, practice facilities, tennis courts, and swimming pool, designed for individuals and families.
- Young Professional Golf Membership: A discounted structure built for golfers under 40 who want in early.
- Non-Resident Membership: Created for players who live outside greater Memphis but still want a home base when traveling through the region.
Notable Membership Perks
A few extra benefits are worth knowing about if you’re considering TPC Southwind membership:
- FedEx Employee Discount: Thanks to the close relationship between the club and the tournament’s title sponsor, FedEx employees can reportedly access membership for free through an exclusive Affinity Partner program.
- TPC Passport Access: Members gain reciprocal playing privileges at other PGA Tour-owned TPC properties nationwide, including well-known venues like TPC Sawgrass and TPC Scottsdale.
Sungjae Im at TPC Southwind: 2026 Tournament Update
Sungjae Im has turned heads at the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship, currently sitting tied for 6th place at TPC Southwind. His opening round produced a sharp 4-under-par 66, leaving him just one stroke behind a five-way tie at the top of the leaderboard.
Why This Week Matters for Sungjae Im
Sungjae Im walked into Memphis in a precarious spot, ranked 53rd in the FedEx Cup standings. Since only the top 50 players qualify for next week’s BMW Championship, every shot at TPC Southwind carries playoff implications for him. His fast start has already shifted the picture. Based on his current tied-6th position, projections have him climbing to around 45th in the standings, which would be enough to keep his season alive.
Round 1 Performance Breakdown
Sungjae Im’s first round showed exactly why he has built a reputation for elite ball-striking and clutch scrambling.
| Stat | Round 1 Result |
| Score | -4 (66) |
| Birdies | 7 |
| Bogeys | 3 |
| Greens in Regulation | 72.22% (4th best in the field) |
| Bunker saves | 3-for-3 (perfect) |
He closed his round with back-to-back birdies on holes 16 and 17, a strong finish on a course that punishes carelessness late in the round. His bunker play stood out as well, converting every single sand save into a par, a small but telling sign of sharp short-game execution under pressure.
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The Streak Sungjae Im Is Protecting
There’s more on the line for Sungjae Im than just this week’s leaderboard. He has reached the season-ending TOUR Championship, reserved for the top 30 players, in every single season of his seven-year PGA Tour career. That’s a remarkable streak of consistency. Adding weight to the story, Im missed the first two months of the 2026 season due to a wrist injury, making his performance at TPC Southwind feel like a genuine comeback statement.
Conclusion
TPC Southwind stands out as one of the most complete tests in professional golf, blending a demanding Ron Prichard design with water hazards, tight fairways, and a finishing stretch that rarely lets up. Whether you’re researching the course for its role in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, curious about membership costs, or following Sungjae Im’s playoff push this week, TPC Southwind delivers plenty of storylines in 2026. Between the recent course renovation and Sungjae Im’s strong showing on the leaderboard, this year’s FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind is shaping up to be one worth watching closely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is TPC Southwind located?
TPC Southwind is located in southeast Memphis, Tennessee. It is a private club and hosts the annual FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Who designed TPC Southwind?
The course was designed by Ron Prichard and originally opened in 1987.
How difficult is TPC Southwind?
TPC Southwind is considered one of the toughest ball-striking tests on the PGA Tour, with water hazards on 11 holes and 75 sand bunkers spread across the layout.
What is the par and yardage at TPC Southwind?
TPC Southwind plays as a par 70 course, stretching up to 7,288 yards, with 12 par-4s, 4 par-3s, and 2 par-5s.
How much does it cost to join TPC Southwind?
Estimated initiation fees range from $7,500 to $30,000, with monthly dues between $500 and $1,500, plus a quarterly food and beverage minimum of around $150.
Is TPC Southwind a private club?
Yes, TPC Southwind is a private, members-only golf club, though it opens to the public during tournament week for the FedEx St. Jude Championship.