Sawgrass Marriott Resort

I love this place. It is the only thing I can do that I can actually compete against my hero's. Never mind that I am 46 and considered an average golfer. In any other sport, I cannot play against Roger Federer or defend Lebron James, but on the Stadium Course at hole 17, I can hit the same shot as all my hero's. I will hit pitching wedge just like they do, and it is my one chance to measure myself against them. I will not talk about all the other great holes, but for this one instance, I made birdie from where they hit their shots with the same club. Let's see how they do this coming May.

Should not have been open .Poor condition . !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! N

The course was a little torn up in spots. Word was that they were getting ready to replace the greens, which was good because some of them were not great. Still had a good time and the staff and other facilities were excellent.

Great course with a lot of history, but it was not worth almost $400.00 per round with tax! The only reason I plsted this course was because it was on my golf bucket list. If you are a decent golfer it was not a challenging as it looks on TV. 17 & 18 were certainly the best two holes on the course! I would not play it again for that money!

So disappointing! Our public county course is in better condition...and 1/3 the price! The Valley course will be undergoing renovations in March. Not true. The course is already under renovation with construction on 4 holes. At least 6 other greens were extremely thin. The only green color on the course was the tee boxes and greens.... probably not watering. They clearly are not keeping up the course in preparation for the major repairs. Too make it worse they are still charging full rates! We stayed at the resort and spent a lot of money for our special golf trip. Guess the surprise was on us! NOT WORTH IT!

Very displeased with course and conditions and was never told it was under construction? Also thought it was peculiar that everyone was starting on 10. When we asked we never were told the truth straight out.

Dye's infamous Stadium is a must for any golfer who wants to appreciate just how tough the PLAYERS is. Every player's shortcomings, no matter your handicap, will be exposed in brutal fashion.

But an underrated part of the TPC facility, beyond the opulence and the challenge, is just how scenic the property is. The grounds are immaculately manicured, but more so, wildlife is abundant. On the 2nd hole, we noticed a beautiful, orange fox dashing up the cart path towards the clubhouse (I trust all went well…) and birdlife is magnificent (some ospreys are so big I feared that should I get to close to the water one would swoop by and snatch me by the mouth).

I must say, however, that there are a few operational aspects to the Stadium that make the non-touring pro feel a bit second rate. Carts are on paths all year here, which eliminates the round in my mind as a true, 5-star experience. You can't walk unless you take a caddie, even though that would probably help pace of play a great deal given the cart situation, and rates can swell north of $400 in peak season. Alas, we are merely visitors in the great Coloseum of golf.

The first time I played the Stadium Course roughly 10 years ago I remember genuine fear standing on the tee of the 17th hole. Plunk in the water. The second time I played the home of The Players Championship about five years ago came dreams of pure revenge. I wanted to prove to Pete Dye that I was good enough for his treacherous design. I still got manhandled. The third time I play it, I plan to approach the round with the utmost respect. As a target-style test of golf, there might not be a more exacting course in the game.
I think 'Stadium' only rewards those who play within themselves. Don't let Dye trick you into pulling driver when only 3-wood is necessary. Don't even look at the pin on any hole, especially the par-3s. Just shoot for the center of the greens. I'm hoping this new approach proves the old adage of "third time is a charm" to be true.

Deane Beman—the PGA Tour's commissioner from '74 to '94—devised a plan to build a course that could create the kind of stadium atmosphere and drama the common sports fan is used to seeing at football, baseball or basketball games. Needless to say, Beman, with the help of Pete and Alice Dye, accomplished that mission. From Tiger's "Better than most" snake putt on the 17th green, Craig Perks needing one putt to finish eagle-birdie-par, or Hal Sutton's "Be the right club today!", the host of the "Fifth Major" has provided the golf fan some memorable moments. This is another case of paying a premium to play where the pros play, but like Pebble Beach, Pinehurst No. 2, or Kiawah's Ocean Course, these are bucket-list experiences for the avid amateur. The course itself is tight with plenty of twists and turns, but the only true forced carries are on the par 3s. As Alice Dye told me, you could almost putt your way from tee to green at the Stadium Course. It's especially fair, and can be fun, if you play to the tees and yardages that match your ability. When you get to 17, which is 5,000 square feet, with the back half of the putting surface acting as a bit of a backstop. All that being dais, play for the middle of the green. The Stadium Course gets almost 45,000 rounds per year and they pull close to 100,000 balls out of that lake...don't be one of them.

Each of the three times I came off the Stadium course at the TPC Sawgrass, I swore I might quit the game. Every time I played the Valley, I vowed I'll play more often. That's the difference between the two TPC courses at Sawgrass. The Stadium is a modern monster; the Valley course a fun and enjoyable experience. All of the troubles lurks to one side, right or left, giving average players like me a chance to bail out if necessary. The Valley doesn't have the epic finish of the Stadium course, but that's probably a good thing. The Valley is good enough to host pro tournaments without all the dirty tricks of Pete and Alice Dye.

Do yourself, your loved ones and your ancestors a favor and play the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.

This is easily one of the best courses in all of Florida with great golf from the moment you step out of your car. While the price tag is steep, the experience is worth it. Despite the difficulty of the course, the pace of play was good - what took so long was my playing partners and I trying to hang on for dear life going around the course.

I know the back nine holes are the most famous, but holes 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9 are probably some of the finest constructed holes on the entire property.

Do yourself and everyone on the course a favor... play as fast as you can 16-17! Take the visuals in with your eyes and not with a camera the entire two holes. I get it... it's a really cool hole but you don't need 64 photos of yourself on the 17th tee.

also, get aggressive on the shot - trust your yardage and try to make birdie. That way you get to go to the drop zone like I did - and play 2 tee shots on the famous 17th.

I am now able to check something else off my Bucket List after playing the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. After attending The Players Championship a few times, I had always wanted to play the famous course, especially the island green at #17, and it did not disappoint. I clearly did not have the chops to play this course competitively, however our group caddy did his best to help the entire group with tips and advice, especially around the greens. If you ever have the opportunity to play the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, do not hesitate.

I played the TPC at Sawgrass Stadium course the week after the Players Tournament. The grand stands on 16 and 17 were still up. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had on a golf course. I birdied 16 and when making the walk around the pond to the 17th tee box was an extremely cool experience. I would suggest everyone to go play the Stadium course at least once.

Great course near the beaches just south of Jacksonville. A Must play when in the area and a really challenging lay out.

This Pete Dye challenges players of every style and caliber. The unique design rarely has two consecutive holes running in the same direction, making wind a constant factor to golfers at every level. The 17th hole and its island green has a cool 'stadium' atmosphere about it; it left quite an impression on me as I was finishing up my round. I'll definitely be returning!

I have played TPC Sawgrass twice. It is a tough course no matter how many time you play it. The holes play very long. You will be hitting a lot long irons and woods into greens. The putting surfaces are undulating and quick. Obviously the par 3, 17th hole gets all of the attention. They usually have the pro tees blocked off with a net so that amateurs wont destroy the tee box. Depending on your caddie you may be able to take a swing. Hitting from the regular tee is not as much fun.

Played TPC Sawgrass with 3 friends and had a world-class experience. One of those is a member and had guest passes allowing us to play for cart fees. From the moment you walk up to the clubhouse you know it's going to be a special day. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. You can choose to have a forecaddie, but we didn't since several in our foursome know the course. The course was in great condition and we had a great day...well except for a few dunks into the lake at 17...

TV doesn't do this course justice. It's a beautiful venue that is a tough test. Long hitters will have an advantage here, shorter hitters will struggle to reach all of the par-4 greens in 2.

The practice facility is world class, the bar and restaurants available in the clubhouse are fantastic, the pro shop is large. The only downside is expect a long round, but really, it's TPC Sawgrass. Take the day and enjoy it!

This is a MUST PLAY course for anyone who makes their way through Jacksonville... absolutely love Sawgrass.

As lots of people say... it is a shot making golf course that calls for accurate drives off the tee. Course was in great shape and it was obvioulsy a treat to play the Island Green at 17.

The Stadium Course is known for the island green at number 17 as the center point of the dramatic final three holes.

It should also be known as a classic Pete Dye test where there's more to every hole than what you can see. Tricking the eye is a staple in golf course architecture and Pete Dye does it as well as anyone.

Course is difficult, but also fun to play. The final three are great risk/reward holes and you have to love the island green!