Chasing Par

Introduction

A course that needs no introduction – TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course, one of the most renowned courses in the United States and the entire world, home of THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP and built by golf course architect legend Pete Dye – the Stadium Course has been ranked among the best 50 courses in the world and is on every golfer’s bucket list.

The clubhouse & amenities

The new clubhouse is a gigantic building featuring traditional wooden halls and golf relics displayed throughout, including the FedEx Cup Trophy.

A very friendly employee gave us a tour of the place. He even took us inside the players’ and champions’ locker rooms.

The clubhouse has a very nice terrace where we had a delicious breakfast and lunch with a splendid view of the facilities.

In the pro shop, you will find unique, high-quality merchandise to help you remember your experience at TPC Sawgrass.

The practice facilities are dreamy. I spent an hour before my tee time on them and then an extra hour after the round!

About the clubhouse & amenities
Restaurant		Bar		Pro Shop		Parking		Shower Rooms
Yes		Yes		Yes		Yes		Yes

The course

This course was the first stadium-style golf course that was designed to offer spectators an incredible experience. Though it has several tee boxes, the layout is extremely challenging, with water hazards, waste bunkers and Scottish bunkers on almost every hole. As with every Pete Dye design, it will test your skills, creativity and strategy, especially during the finishing holes. 

TEE	PAR	LENGTH (YARDS)	RATING	SLOPE
The Players	72	7245	76.4	155
Blue	72	6670	73.3	149
Blended	72	6406	72	147
White	72	6086	70.3	140
White (W)	72	6086	76.1	150
Green	72	5019	65.1	120
Green (W)	72	5019	70.7	131

About the course
Year built		Holes		Greens		Fairways		Golf season
1981		18		Bermuda		Bermuda		Year round
Driving Range		Putting Green		Golf Carts		Caddies		Club Rental
Yes		Yes		Yes		Yes		Yes
Reservations
Online

Course conditions

Remember, The Players Championship is the unofficial fifth major so expect to find a course that honors that reputation. Conditions are mint. I played at the stadium course just three weeks after The Players and even then fairways, greens and roughs were perfectly maintained.

My golf round

My tee time was at 9:30 am. At the time, I was struggling with my driver and hitting horrible hooks that ended up in the hundreds of oaks and pines that line TPC Sawgrass. The forecaddie was very useful and provided good insights and recommendations. I birdied 9 and chipped in for birdie at 10 but made a silly double bogey at 16. My final score was 88, not at all what I expected, but at least I only hit one ball into the water.

My best shot of the day was my tee shot at 13, a par 3 with water on the left. The flag was at the back left of the green. I have seen on TV that there was an important slope in the middle of the green that I could use to take the water out of play. I flushed an 8 iron that did exactly what I had imagined. Unfortunately, I did not make the 10 feet putt for birdie, but I was content because my strategy worked as close to perfection as I could have hoped for.

Favorite hole at TPC Sawgrass

I really thought this through, trying to think outside the box and consider every hole. But in the end I must choose 17, the world’s most famous par 3. I hit a gap wedge from the back tee, the wind was slightly in favor and to the left. I aimed towards the green side bunker hoping it would turn. It did not. Hitting a tee shot to an island green is scary. Those 2 seconds the ball is in the air seem like an eternity. Your heart rate increases, adrenaline flows into your veins and your brain starts wondering things like: “Will it be enough? Will it be too much?”. Luckily, my ball ended in the bunker. I almost holed it from there but then two putted for bogey. At least the ball stayed dry! 

Rating

Aspect	Rating
Condition	Excellent
Value	Excellent
Friendliness	Very Good
Pace	Excellent
Amenities	Excellent
Overall rating	Excellent

Expenses

In the following table, I detail the expenses you might incur at TPC SAWGRASS STADIUM COURSE.

Concept	Price (USD)
Green fee	500-700
Club rental	80
Fore Caddie	100-200 *
Golf Cart	Included
9-hole bar	15
Lunch or Dinner	40

*$25 gratuity per player is recommended, but it is really based on the service provided.

Final tips

• If you are planning to play at Dye’s Valley as well, you should explore the possibility to stay at the resort and purchase the package for both green fees with an important discount.
• Do some research before you play to really enjoy the experience and even think how you should play every hole. I recommend this album from the TPC website and reading this article from Golf Digest.
• In order to play famous 17, first you must have enough balls to get there and hit the green. So, make sure you bring enough golf balls.
• Choose your tee box wisely. Some tee boxes require you to carry the ball more than 200 yards over water and bunkers just to get to the fairway or green.
• If you need to rent clubs, consider renting them in a golf shop outside the resort for lower fees.
• Chat with me if you need any further information

About Guido Sargiotto
Reviews	Handicap	Skill	Plays	Dexterity
1	+1	Advanced	Twice a week	Right
Favorite Club	Favorite shot	Favorite Player
Driver	¾ of a 54°	Tiger Woods

What’s in the Bag?

Driver	TaylorMade SIM (9º) Shaft: HZRDUS BLACK X 75g
3-wood	Titleist 915 F3 (13.5° at 13º) Shaft: HZRDUS BLACK X 85g
Hybrid	TaylorMade R15 (17°) Shaft: HZRDUS BLACK X 105g
Irons	Rsi TP UDI (4), TaylorMade P770 (5-9) Shafts: HZRDUS BLACK X 105g (4), Project X 6.5 (5-9)
Wedges	Titleist SM8 (50-F, 54-G, 60-L) Shafts: Project X 7.0
Putter	Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2.5
Ball	Titleist Pro V1