7 things you must know before playing (and staying) at TPC Sawgrass

The Players Championship host is a bucket-list destination. Here's how to do it right.
The short par-5 16th hole at TPC Sawgrass' Players Stadium Course ushers golfers into one of modern golf's holiest sites.

Note: Originally published May 10, 2016 by Golf Vacation Insider.

Unlike the private TPC courses played on tour, anyone can play the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, which is awesome.

But it's not an inexpensive proposition, especially as green fees have skyrocketed in recent years.

If you are planning on venturing to TPC Sawgrass sometime (and you definitely should), here are few insider tips you should know if you'd like to play one of the best, most famous and most recognizable golf courses in the world.

1. How to save more than $500 to play TPC Sawgrass

Yes, the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is expensive. Peak green fees can surge as high as $900 or more.

Luckily, there are multiple ways to play it for hundreds of dollars less if you take advantage of specials and discounts that are often made available.

A few winters ago, for instance, we noticed a truly amazing deal - before it was officially made public, actually.

That package we uncovered included three rounds of golf - one on the Players Stadium Course - and three nights' lodging for $387 per person, double occupancy.

Now, it's not clear if this deal will ever be offered again, and prices have gone up, but it’s not a bad idea to monitor the TPC Sawgrass website, Twitter feed, or Sawgass Marriott website, as well as our own package page, for future offers.

Golf Packages
JACKSONVILLE, FL | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa and 2 rounds of golf at TPC Sawgrass - PLAYERS Stadium & Dye's Valley Courses.

Another way to save big at TPC Sawgrass might have to wait until your second visit, but it will be worthwhile. The member's guest fee (accompanied) is about $350, so if on your first visit you should be paired with one of the club's upper-tier members (who have access to the Players Stadium as well as the Dye's Valley Course) and you hit it off, your next round at one of America's greatest courses could cost $500 less, leaving you plenty in reserve to pick up the tab for lunch or a post-round drink.

2. The best time to play TPC Sawgrass

The Players Stadium Course rounds into incredible shape ahead of The Players Championship every March.

It depends if you want the course's full fury or not. Ever since The Players Championship switched from May back to March, that has meant a full overseed of the Players Stadium Course every October in preparation for the tournament, with the course reopening in early November. As a result, conditions from then until the pre-tournament closure in mid-February will be relatively soft and mild, which can mean the course might just go a little easier on you than you might expect (especially if you play the right tees). When I played the course in December 2023, I actually found the course a little less brutal than I expected. It was still plenty difficult, but in true Pete Dye fashion, there is some room to miss on a lot of holes.

The Players Stadium Course is closed for several chunks of the year, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. In 2024, it will be unavailable in the following intervals:

- February 19 - March 18
- June 3-30
- August 12-16
- October 14 - November 3

I liked playing the course in pre-Players shape, but I'd also be curious to get a look at it after the overseeded turf has retreated for the summer and the native Bermuda prevails. In that case, I'd be eager to see it in late-May or between late-September and its mid-October closure. With the right preceding weather pattern, the course might be firmer and faster, as Dye intended.

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The Players Tee to Green: Closing stretch at TPC Sawgrass

3. Is the service commensurate with the price?

In short, definitely. The bag drop attendants, pro shop staff and course starters are all on point. They're a mix of retirees who are grateful to be working at one of golf's most famous facilities, and younger folks - many of them good golfers in their own right - who are...grateful to be working at one of golf's most famous facilities. There are certain places where the staff has an air of cockiness and can sometimes act a little too cool for some guests. This is not the case at Sawgrass, nor is it so at the Sawgrass Marriott resort.

FYI: As of March 2024, TPC Sawgrass' Players Stadium Course has a perfect 5.0 Staff Friendliness score across 111 ratings and reviews. Click here for more.

4. Should you take a cart or caddie?

TPC Sawgrass' caddies are some of the best in resort golf. (Note: re: the push cart on the right, only club members are allowed to walk without the services of a caddie.)

The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is great walking golf course (it made our top 100 in 2023), and we recommend doing so if at all possible. Sawgrass' caddies are excellent. The base fee for a single-bag caddie is $125, while double-bag caddies get a base of $85 per bag. Sawgrass recommends you tip walking caddies at least $50 per bag in cash on top.

What can make the walk-or-ride proposition a difficult decision for some people is that there's no extra charge for a cart; it's included with your green fee. That said, the club will assign a forecaddie to groups that ride; recommended minimum gratuity for them is $40 per bag.

Yes, it will be cheaper to ride at the Players Stadium Course, but consider this: it's always Cart Path Only. The only possible exception to this rule is players with a legitimate mobility-related accommodation. Otherwise, you'll be zigzagging back and forth from your cart to your ball and back again all day. While your forecaddie will obviously help with some of the logistics, this is no way to experience one of the best courses in the world of golf.

Teeing it up at TPC Sawgrass is already a splurge golf experience. You will maximize your enjoyment of it if you walk with a caddie.

5. Should you stay at the Sawgrass Marriott?

While you're no longer required to stay at the Sawgrass Marriott to play at TPC Sawgrass, you might want to do it anyway.

First of all, The Sawgrass Marriott, which formerly seemed less like a golf resort and more like a golfer's dorm, has been through multiple comprehensive, multi-million-dollar renovations in recent years. I stayed overnight there in December 2023 and found it very comfortable - no fussier than it needed to be.

Second, while anyone can make reservations at TPC Sawgrass within 14 days of their desired date of play, guests of the Sawgrass Marriott can book up to 12 months in advance.

Third, because the Sawgrass Marriott is affiliated with the TPC Sawgrass, it can offer excellent golf packages (see tip #1).

6. Any recommendations on where to eat?

Nineteen at TPC Sawgrass' majestic clubhouse is a very solid steakhouse.

The clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass is very impressive. At night, Nineteen is one of the best golf club/resort steakhouses you will encounter. I had a terrific veal chop and decadent shredded potatoes gratin.

"Off campus," (but just across the street) try the Aqua Grill. It has great menus in its lively, fun bar and its well-serviced restaurant, which usually includes the oversight of its owner. If you have a craving for pizza, Al's is your best bet in Ponte Vedra Beach. It spins out New York-style and gourmet pies. Just around the corner from the facility, I Noodle Ramen + Dumpling is a great spot for a bowl of soup, especially after a wintertime round of golf.

7. What's the best way to travel to TPC Sawgrass?

If you're flying in, aim for Jacksonville International Airport (code: JAX), about 40 minutes from TPC Sawgrass. The airport serves more than 30 cities, making it easier to get to than you might otherwise think.

What are your favorite TPC Sawgrass tips, recommendations and memories? Be sure to share them with us in the comments!

Sawgrass Marriott Stay & Play Package

FROM $487 (USD)
JACKSONVILLE, FL | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa and 2 rounds of golf at TPC Sawgrass - PLAYERS Stadium & Dye's Valley Courses.

Tim Gavrich is a Senior Writer for GolfPass. Follow him on Twitter @TimGavrich and on Instagram @TimGavrich.
64 Comments
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Can I carry my own bag while playing TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course ? I do at Pebble Beach, which is also a public course.

No, must take a caddie

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For those craving pizza there is a much better option in Jax beach called V’s pizza, it’s attached to a good bar as well and is right across from each access.

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Thank you for putting this together! Your tips and advice have already made an overwhelming vacation plan and made it manageable. Thank you again!

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Does this deal still exist?

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Would like to play the stadium course when we are at St Augustine in late February. What are the rates then?

I am a Marriott rewards card member can I use my points?

I am currently a PGA member in Iowa and will be visiting an old college friend. Is the Stadium course available for myself only to play in Mid-January,2018 ? Are there any playing courtesies provided to PGA members on Stadium course?

Thank you.....LC

Some friends and I are coming down for the UAB vs Florida football game on the 18th of November. We wanted to play The Stadium the day before. What is the best way to get the best rate? We will be staying in Gainesville, so me need for a hotel.

Joseph--

You'll most likely just have to pay whatever the standard cart fee is for her to come with you. Contact TPC Sawgrass directly and they should be able to advise you.

Enjoy your round!

--Tim

My wife and I are planning a trip to Florida this summer. She doesn't play golf, but would like to come with me on the course. Can she just ride along with me and I only want to play 18 holes on the stadium course one day. How much will this cost me?

I'm at the Sawgrass Marriott right now (shhh, don't tell them). Resort guests can make tee times up to a year in advance. Recommend you stay here and do that given your timing -- the guys over at the Stadium Course told me November is one of their busiest months, and "late October" is pretty close. Plus, Fridays are typically a busy golf day everywhere. Hope this helps!

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7 things you must know before playing (and staying) at TPC Sawgrass