TPC Sawgrass: The hole-by-hole guide

Any mention of The Players Championship casts minds to the iconic TPC Sawgrass.

Co-designed by Pete and Alice Dye, the Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, opened in 1980 and was the first TPC to be built.

Home to the PGA Tour headquarters, it hosts the ‘fifth major’ each March, the circuit’s flagship event.

Known to be among the toughest tournament courses in the world, TPC Sawgrass’ tournament venue features a distinctive ‘stadium’ concept and boasts one of golf’s most famous holes.

The bucket-list venue first hosted the Players Championship in 1982 and remains part of the sport’s most prestigious venues.

So, here is a hole-by-hole guide of the Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass…

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TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course: Hole-by-hole

Hole 1: Par 4 – 423 yards

Around 25 yards was added to the opening tee in 2006, making it even more fearsome. With thick rough guarding both sides of the fairway and bunkers to the left of the green, this is as accurate as players need to be all season.

Hole 2: Par 5 – 532 yards

At over 500 yards, the second hole is a fair distance from the tee, but most can reach in two. Again, though, that will require finding the fairway off the tee. A straight approach will head right over the water, while players want to avoid going long off the back.

Hole 3: Par 3 – 177 yards

In the first 24 Players contested here, this was the easiest par-3. It’s a fantastic hole nonetheless and is routine. Despite that, grass bunkers to the right and bunkers long and left mean players generally aim for the centre and let the putter do some magic.

Hole 4: Par 4 – 384 yards

Generally, a fairway wood or long iron off the tee here, although look away Bryson. DeChambeau topped his first effort in 2021, one of the most memorable moments at the fourth in recent years. It runs adjacent to the practice ground and has a shallow green marked by the sweeping pond.

Hole 5: Par 4 – 471 yards

The fifth is the Stadium Course’s longest par-4 and hardest hole on the front nine. It’s a cracker in the fact a tee shot up the left leaves an easier approach, but water runs all the way alongside. Bunkers, humps and hollows surround the green, too.

Hole 6: Par 4 – 393 yards

It’s seen plenty of changes over the years, but always springs to mind as one of the most recognisable approach shots on the course. Problems lurk on the right, so hit a straight drive and enjoy a comfortable wedge into the pin.

Hole 7: Par 4 – 442 yards

A tough old hole. Avoid the water that swarms the left of the hole and players will find a narrow fairway. But the challenge generally comes from hitting an approach into the wind, while the putting surface runs away in several spots.

Hole 8: Par 3 – 237 yards

Gaining 15 yards in the 2006 renovation, the eighth is by no means short. Hovland managed it okay with an ace in 2022, but it’s surrounded by bunkers on all sides, and some are even tough to stand in.

Hole 9: Par 5 – 602 yards

Tricky to take this on in two, the monster ninth hole has water in play for those taking a chance off the tee. With a tiny green tucked away at the back, a lot can go wrong here.

Hole 10: Par 4 – 424 yards

A relatively short par-4 by today’s standards, players are forced to shape the ball round the trees to leave a short iron into a narrow, contoured green. It’s imperative to miss the bunker on the left of the fairway.

Hole 11: Par 5 – 558 yards

One of the most exciting par-5s on the PGA Tour circuit, players on the tee favour the right side of the fairway for the best angle of attack into the green, which is protected by water.

Hole 12: Par 4 – 369 yards

The 12th features one of the smallest greens on the entire course. The short hole was redesigned into 2017 and can now be played as a risk-reward par-4 with the tees moved forward. Water guards the left side of the green, with pot bunkers lurking on the right.

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Hole 13: Par 3 – 181 yards

If you’re going to bail out, bail out right because water guards the entire length of this par-3. The three-tiered green is prime three-putt territory and slopes towards the lake, whilst also being protected by two small, deep bunkers.

Hole 14: Par 4 – 481 yards

One of the toughest holes on the course, accuracy is key off the tee with sand and water left and deep grass bunkers to the right. The undulating green is huge and is protected by a bunker short left.

Hole 15: Par 4 – 449 yards

The start of an epic finishing stretch of holes, players tee off through the trees and over the water, hoping to avoid the fairway bunker on the right. A shallow wide green requires accuracy from the approach with a short or medium iron.

Hole 16: Par 5 – 523 yards

A devilish par-5 that can make and break tournaments. The short hole gives players the opportunity to comfortably reach the green in two, but there is water all the way down the right and a lone tree can block out a lay- up after an errant tee shot.

Hole 17: Par 3 – 137 yards

One of the most famous short holes in the world, the 137-yard par-3 across the lake into a small green guarded by a deep bunker can cause havoc, even if the wind isn’t swirling.

Hole 18: Par 4 – 462 yards

This treacherous dogleg left offers one of the most intimidating tee shots in golf. Water runs the entire length of the hole, which is known as the toughest on the course. You can’t bail out right either, with tree trouble lurking. It is critical to find the fairway to have a chance at reaching the tiered green.