The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass

The event

The Players Championship is the PGA Tour's flagship event — run by the Tour itself, held at the Tour's own course, and carrying the largest purse in golf. It is not one of the four majors, but the field is consistently the strongest of the year, and the players themselves treat it accordingly. The phrase "fifth major" is used with more sincerity here than anywhere else on the schedule.

Held annually in March at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, the tournament has been contested on the Pete Dye-designed Stadium Course since 1982.

The 17th

The island green at the 17th is the most recognizable hole in golf. A par 3 of roughly 137 yards, entirely surrounded by water, with a green that offers no bailout and no margin. During tournament week, hundreds of balls find the water. In 2007, 93 balls went in over four days.

What makes it famous is not difficulty in the abstract — 137 yards is a wedge for a Tour professional — but the psychological weight. The hole arrives at the exact moment a tournament is being decided, in front of a stadium of spectators, with the wind swirling unpredictably off the surrounding water. It has produced more collapses and more decisive shots than any other hole on the schedule.

The 18th, a brutal left-to-right dogleg with water down the entire left side, ensures that surviving 17 doesn't guarantee anything.

Attending

When: Second week of March, annually.

Tickets: Available through the official Players Championship site. Weekly grounds passes, daily tickets, and hospitality options. Grounds passes sell out for weekend rounds; buy early.

Where to stay: The Sawgrass Marriott is on-site and books out roughly a year in advance for tournament week. Ponte Vedra Beach and Jacksonville Beach offer alternatives within 20 minutes. Jacksonville proper is 30 minutes north.

Getting there: Jacksonville International (JAX) is 40 minutes away. Shuttle service operates from designated lots during tournament week — driving directly to the course is not practical.

Best viewing: The 16-17-18 stretch is the draw, and the stadium seating around 17 is the most sought-after position on the property. Arrive early for weekend rounds. The 16th green offers a good compromise — you can see the 16th finish and the 17th tee shots from a single position.

Playing the course

Unlike Augusta National, TPC Sawgrass is genuinely public. The Stadium Course is open to resort guests and public visitors through the Sawgrass Marriott, and tee times can be booked 90 days in advance.

The course closes to public play during tournament week and for roughly two weeks of setup and teardown surrounding it. Outside that window, anyone can play it.

Peak-season rates run $300–400+. The Valley Course, TPC Sawgrass's second course, is a strong, more affordable alternative — and considerably more forgiving.

What to know before you go

• Florida in March is ideal: 72–80°F, low humidity, minimal rain risk
• The course is walkable for spectators but covers significant ground; comfortable shoes matter
• Cell phones are permitted with restrictions (no calls in play areas)
• The Tour's military appreciation programming during Players week is substantial — active-duty and veteran ticket programs are available