There are two courses attached to the Marriott at Sawgrass which is near Ponte Vedra, both designed by the famous golf course architect Pete Dye there is the Valley course and the famous players Stadium Course which is home to one of the best tournaments on the US PGA tour it also has the world famous 17th Island Green. It is the host of the so called 5th major the players championship, one of the most sought after titles in golf. The Stadium course allows golfers to experience what the best golfers in the world endure.
The Impressive clubhouse is accessed via the also impressive PGA Boulevard and is a short drive from the Marriott hotel (courtesy shuttle bus supplied), the Stadium Course has been renovated to improve all round year play and the clubhouse was completely rebuilt in an astonishing 9 months, video‘s of this feat are on the in-house TV at the Marriott hotel showing how it was done in time for the next players championship. There are foreccddies and walking caddies available which are compulsory on the stadium course, but also enhance the experience, . Caddies are not required on Dye’ s Valley during the Summer
Season. A forecaddie is supplied and he looks after a fourball although you can hire a caddy individually, the suggested tip for a forecaddie is $20 per player. Our caddy Steve was very knowledgeable, pleasant and helpful. The Pro shop explained where everything was and after getting ready in the splendid locker rooms, which have the lockers engraved with so many famous names, I was off to the practice putting green. My three fellow players were all from the UK, the course itself is very testing and you need to have a good supply of balls due to the amount of water that’s in play on most holes. Most tee shots require accurate positioning if you are to par any hole, from the back tees it was just under 7000 yards which is not long by todays standards, but it is one of the toughest courses I have played. I managed a few pars here and there but desperately wanted to par the 17th, after a par at the long 16th and watching my three playing partners end in the water at this famous 130 yarder, I teed up and hit a 8 iron straight at the pin, everyone said great shot, except for one important person, Steve the caddy, he said it had hit the back of the green but there is nothing to stop it, and it was in the drink. The 18th is a great dog leg left with water all along the left of the fairway.
Although it is a bit on the pricey side it really is a must if you are in the Jacksonville area.
When I went back to change I was given a very nice brass Sawgrass bagtag depicting the 17th hole and this was engraved with my name, a very nice touch to finish what was a worthwhile experience.
The Impressive clubhouse is accessed via the also impressive PGA Boulevard and is a short drive from the Marriott hotel (courtesy shuttle bus supplied), the Stadium Course has been renovated to improve all round year play and the clubhouse was completely rebuilt in an astonishing 9 months, video‘s of this feat are on the in-house TV at the Marriott hotel showing how it was done in time for the next players championship. There are foreccddies and walking caddies available which are compulsory on the stadium course, but also enhance the experience, . Caddies are not required on Dye’ s Valley during the Summer
Season. A forecaddie is supplied and he looks after a fourball although you can hire a caddy individually, the suggested tip for a forecaddie is $20 per player. Our caddy Steve was very knowledgeable, pleasant and helpful. The Pro shop explained where everything was and after getting ready in the splendid locker rooms, which have the lockers engraved with so many famous names, I was off to the practice putting green. My three fellow players were all from the UK, the course itself is very testing and you need to have a good supply of balls due to the amount of water that’s in play on most holes. Most tee shots require accurate positioning if you are to par any hole, from the back tees it was just under 7000 yards which is not long by todays standards, but it is one of the toughest courses I have played. I managed a few pars here and there but desperately wanted to par the 17th, after a par at the long 16th and watching my three playing partners end in the water at this famous 130 yarder, I teed up and hit a 8 iron straight at the pin, everyone said great shot, except for one important person, Steve the caddy, he said it had hit the back of the green but there is nothing to stop it, and it was in the drink. The 18th is a great dog leg left with water all along the left of the fairway.
Although it is a bit on the pricey side it really is a must if you are in the Jacksonville area.
When I went back to change I was given a very nice brass Sawgrass bagtag depicting the 17th hole and this was engraved with my name, a very nice touch to finish what was a worthwhile experience.