TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course)

Seventeen holes of build-up, then the island.

TPC Sawgrass is the PGA Tour’s own home, and the Stadium Course is where The Players Championship is played each March. It is fully public. Anyone can book it, which is not true of most courses with this kind of television history. Most visitors come for one tee shot: the short 17th, played to a green surrounded by water. The other 17 holes deserve your attention too. Pete Dye built them to make good players uncomfortable, and they still do. Ponte Vedra Beach, the Atlantic beaches and St Augustine are all close by.

TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course) green fees and tee times.

If you are not staying at the resort, you can book directly with TPC Sawgrass up to 14 days ahead. Through TPC Vacations, a stay-and-play guest at the Sawgrass Marriott can book up to 12 months ahead, which matters in spring. Your green fee covers a shared cart, a forecaddie for the group and a warm-up bag of range balls. If you want to walk, you have to upgrade to a walking caddie. That costs US$130–160 for a single caddie, or US$85–115 per player for a double bag, available September to May. Request it at least 48 hours ahead. In the weeks around The Players, the course is limited and dynamic pricing pushes the fee higher.

The round, in perspective.

Pete Dye opened the Stadium Course in 1980. He built it on swampy, flat ground and raised spectator mounds along the holes, which is where the name comes from. The routing tests every club, with water in play on most holes, waste bunkers, railway-sleeper bulkheads and small, firm greens. The 16th is a reachable par five with water down the right. The 17th is only about 137 yards, but the island green leaves nowhere to bail out, and in wind it is a nervy shot for anyone. The 18th bends left along a lake all the way to the clubhouse. The course is fairly forgiving from the tee. Approach shots are where it gets you, so choose your tees honestly.

Make the trip work.

If you can, play in June to August. The fee drops to US$550, though you will play in heat and humidity, with afternoon thunderstorms likely. A morning tee time is the sensible choice. Dye’s Valley, the second course on the property, costs US$250–350. It makes a good warm-up round on the day you arrive. You can rent clubs for US$90, including six balls. The clubhouse gives free tours on the hour from 9 am to 4 pm, so a non-golfing partner can see the 17th and the Players memorabilia.

Jacksonville International (JAX) is about 40 minutes north by road. It has direct flights from many US hubs, and international visitors usually connect through Atlanta, Charlotte or a New York airport. You will want a hire car to get to Ponte Vedra Beach. The beaches, St Augustine and the World Golf Village are all within an easy drive.

Where it is.

Nearby: 1. World Golf Village (King & Bear and Slammer & Squire) (24 km) · 2. Omni Amelia Island Resort (Oak Marsh) (40 km) · 3. Hammock Beach Golf Resort (Ocean Course) (71 km) · Compare all Jacksonville & Amelia Island tee times

Somewhere to settle in.

The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is next to the clubhouse. It is the stay-and-play partner, and staying there opens the 12-month booking window. In 2026, a spring package of one night, a Stadium round and breakfast was priced at US$1,064. On the ocean, the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and The Lodge & Club are smaller and more traditional. For lower prices, look at Jacksonville Beach or at St Augustine, 30 minutes south, which has a historic centre.

Make a trip of it.

Book Dye’s Valley the day before you play the Stadium Course. The World Golf Village at St Augustine has the King & Bear and Slammer & Squire courses. Amelia Island, an hour north, adds the Ocean Links at Omni Amelia Island. Away from golf, St Augustine’s old town and the Castillo de San Marcos are good for an afternoon, and Guana River gives you quiet beach and marsh walks.

Find your season.

The Players is held in mid-March, and the Stadium Course is closed or limited around tournament week. Peak pricing runs from September to May. December to April brings dry, mild weather in the 20s °C. Summer is hot, with frequent afternoon storms, and the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November.