TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium)

The course had many unique attributes when it came into being.  The course was built to house spectators with mounds and viewing areas all around the property.  It was also one of the first courses to host a Tour event that was accessible to the general public.

The course was routed to favor no particular player.  There are doglegs both ways, short holes, long holes, and many different visual looks.  It has always seemed to produce different and distinct champions.  The course is not for everyone and many professionals did not like it when it opened, but it is well respected in the world of American golf.

Alright, there is the history, let’s get to the course!

Hole 1 – 394 yards – Par 4

The course opens with a straightforward hole.  The view below is back up the hole from the green.

Hole 2 – 507 yards – Par 5

The second hole provides some of the visuals that the course is known for worldwide.  The tee shot is pinched by the trees on the left and the tee ball really requires a draw.  That is already a different shot shape from what was needed on the first hole.

Hole 3 – 160 yards – Par 3

The water is not really in play on this hole, but the raised green presents a challenge.  Like all the holes at the course, distance control is a key.

Hole 4 – 359 yards – Par 4

This was the time in the round where I started to have flashbacks to playing the course on my old video game console.  A little fade off the left side of the fairway plays well here.  I was in the left rough and the forecaddie wouldn’t let me hit it, saying I would hurt myself!  My pride was wounded, but the rough was ridiculously thick since the tournament was only about a month before my round.

And an action shot of how I got to the left rough.

Hole 5 – 446 yards – Par 4

This tee shot is a tough one with the water all up in your field of vision.  Picking the right line is crucial here.

Hole 6 – 360 yards – Par 4

The photo below shows the tee shot on the sixth hole.  The bunker on the left and the trees on the right are the main hazards here.  The next photo is of the relatively benign green.

Hole 7 – 407 yards – Par 4

Another difficult tee shot here, which requires a draw starting at the bunkers on the right.  Too far left and you bring the waste bunker and water into play.

Hole 8 – 195 yards – Par 3

Not a lot of bells and whistles here, just a stout one-shot hole.  It was made longer by the back pin.

I had one of the more memorable situations here with one of my playing partners.  The photo below is our balls in the right bunker.  Even our trails in the sand were nearly identical.

Hole 9 – 546 yards – Par 5

We didn’t get any shots of the hole here, but here is another action shot.  Sergio-like lag here!  This picture neglects the flip at impact, the magic of photography.

Hole 11 – 579 yards – Par 5

This tee shot continues the strong par fives at TPC.  Bust a draw down the middle and there may be a decision to go for the green.

Here is a look back down the hole from the green.  Your lay-up must take the tree and water into account to give the best angle for the shot into the green.

Below is the raised green with the bunker that is a definite concern.  This is a tough green to approach with any long club.

Hole 12 – 332 yards – Par 4

The photo here shows the view from the twelfth tee.

Hole 13 – 156 yards – Par 3

This tee shot has all kinds of trouble left with any miss on that side in the water.  That front left bunker is no picnic either.  Focus on your alignment on this shot.

Hole 14 – 436 yards – Par 4

This hole is a beast with trouble all up the left side.  A long draw up the right side at the row of trees is the best line to leave a good angle to the green.

Hole 15 – 416 yards – Par 4

Here is yet another example of Dye flipping the necessary tee shot.  A long cut is the play here.

Hole 16 – 486 yards – Par 5

This hole had a lot more bend to the left than I could see on TV.  A big, slinging draw would be a great shot for this situation.

The green has a fair bit of slope in the front and down the middle.  It is really important to pay attention to that for your putt or chip with the water so close.

Hole 17 – 128 yards – Par 3

Here it is, the hole we’ve all been waiting for since we teed off this post.  I know I was waiting for it since I put my shoes on this day.

The wife didn’t play, but she slipped one of her clubs in my bag to take a shot here.  Straight out of the cart and in flip flops, nice form!

Here is the view from the back of the green at the beginning of the footpath.

Below is a shot from the sixteenth green showing the depth of the green.

One more shot from the back of the green.

I just lipped out the birdie putt.  That would have been a sweet deuce!

Hole 18 – 426 yards – Par 4

As an avid hooker of the ball, this tee shot was terrifying.  Yeah, I hit it in the water.  This sliver of fairway looks tiny when you are standing on the tee.

Seen below is a shot of the green and clubhouse.  The actual shot does not have to carry this much of the water hazard.

I was in the left bunker and had a downhill lie.

What resulted was one of my best bunker shots in a long time.  Almost holed it out.

I also wanted to show another picture of the clubhouse.  This is a massive building and it has plenty of space to do almost anything.  I am sure it makes hosting the Players much easier.

We had a blast at TPC Sawgrass.  The staff was very accommodating and my forecaddie was knowledgeable and friendly.  An example of the personal touches was that my wife and I both got personally engraved bag tags with our names.  She didn’t even play, but they made one for her.  I had good playing partners also, which makes for a good day.

The course is so recognizable, but it was great to actually play it and see everything with my own eyes.  You really get a sense of the scale of everything and what the pros see when they are trying to play shots.  The course requires precision and thinking to get around in a low number.  Playing the course will definitely enhance my tournament viewing.  If you get a chance, make your way down to Ponte Vedra and play TPC.  It was well worth it!