TPC Louisiana - No. 9
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TPC Louisiana - No. 9
Water hugs the left side of the par-3 9th hole. Courtesy of TPC Network
TPC Louisiana - No 18
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TPC Louisiana - No 18
Plenty of drama awaits on the par-5 18th hole at TPC Louisiana. Courtesy of TPC Network
TPC Louisiana - statue
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TPC Louisiana - statue
The statue on grounds for the Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana. Getty Images
TPC Louisiana - Clubhouse
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TPC Louisiana - Clubhouse
The TPC Louisiana Clubhouse sports the Zurich Classic logo prior to the event. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
TPC Louisiana - range
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TPC Louisiana - range
Practice facilities are excellent at TPC Louisiana. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
TPC Louisiana - Lagoons
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TPC Louisiana - Lagoons
There is plenty of water to navigate at TPC Louisiana, which is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
TPC Louisiana - locker rooms
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TPC Louisiana - locker rooms
Locker rooms at TPC Louisiana, open to all golfers here, are posh. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
TPC Louisiana - No. 1
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TPC Louisiana - No. 1
A skinny bunker guards the first green at TPC Louisiana. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
TPC Louisiana - No. 13
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TPC Louisiana - No. 13
The par-4 13th hole is short and potentially drivable under the right conditions. Courtesy of TPC Network
TPC Louisiana - No. 16
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TPC Louisiana - No. 16
The 16th hole at TPC Louisiana is modest in length at 340 yards from the back tees. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
TPC Louisiana - No. 17
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TPC Louisiana - No. 17
The par-3 17th hole is guarded by water on the left. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
TPC Louisiana - No. 5
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TPC Louisiana - No. 5
The par-4 5th hole plays 438 yards from the back tees. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
TPC Louisiana - No. 9
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TPC Louisiana - No. 9
The par-3 9th hole is guarded by water on the left. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
TPC Louisiana - No. 9
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TPC Louisiana - No. 9
TPC Louisiana was designed by Pete Dye with Steve Elkington and Kelly Gibson. Courtesy of TPC Network
TPC Louisiana - pull carts
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TPC Louisiana - pull carts
TPC Louisiana is walkable and has pull carts available. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
TPC Louisiana - No. 18
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TPC Louisiana - No. 18
The par-5 18th hole, set up with grandstands surrounding the green, at TPC Louisiana. Brandon Tucker/GolfPass
TPC Louisiana golf course, alligator
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TPC Louisiana golf course, alligator
Tripod" has become the unofficial mascot of the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana. Getty images
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Tour TPC Louisiana, host of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans

AVONDALE, La. -- The host of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, TPC Louisiana is one of the more affordable and accessible courses on the PGA Tour schedule. Dynamically priced green fees, especially in the off season, can be found for under $100 (while peak season can be closer to $200). Designed by Pete Dye with player assistants Steve Elkington and New Orleans native Kelly Gibson, the course opened in 2004 and is entirely encircled by undeveloped native areas, giving the property a secluded and natural vibe. It's an Audubon Certified Cooperative Sanctuary, and in 2016 won the GCSAA chapter's ELGA award for environmental leadership. The property is full of wetlands and lagoons with oak and cypress trees, some of which can come into play in the fairway.

The course has five sets of tees and stretches to 7,402 yards from the championship tees, which is plenty long considering the course is at sea level. Catering to the double-tee starts that are employed on the PGA Tour opening rounds, each nine begins with a modest par 4 followed by a par 5.

From a strategic standpoint, Dye calls on players to be able to shape the ball both ways, and in many cases on the same hole. Holes that might set up well for a right-to-left shot off the tee often times promote a left-to-right shot into the greens. There are bunkers of all shapes and sizes, from small pot bunkers to large waste areas.

Similar to some other TPCs on the PGA Tour schedule (especially the AT&T Oaks at TPC San Antonio), TPC Louisiana finishes with a short par-4, watery par 3 and finally a par 5. Each is a birdie opportunity but also have plenty of water to navigate.

The facilities here are quite good, especially the practice areas. There are multiple short game greens and a large driving range with many targets. The clubhouse has a pro shop, dining and large locker room.

TPC Louisiana is one of a small handful of must-play golf courses that make up a New Orleans golf trip, click here to see Brandon Tucker's full trip report.

Brandon Tucker is the Sr. Managing Editor for GolfPass and was the founding editor of Golf Advisor in 2014, he was the managing editor for Golf Channel Digital's Courses & Travel. To date, his golf travels have taken him to over two dozen countries and nearly 600 golf courses worldwide. While he's played some of the most prestigious courses in the world, Tucker's favorite way to play the game is on a great muni in under three hours. Follow Brandon on Twitter at @BrandonTucker and on Instagram at @btuck34.
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Tour TPC Louisiana, host of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans