Beyond the Ropes: The Ultimate Insider's Guide to THE PLAYERS Championship Week

Every March, the golf world descends on Ponte Vedra Beach. THE PLAYERS Championship isn't just a tournament; it's a bucket-list event. The energy, the crowds, the iconic 17th island green—it's an experience every golfer needs to see firsthand.

But here's the catch: You can't play TPC Sawgrass during tournament week.

For the avid golfer, this creates a dilemma. You want to see the pros, but you also want to tee it up yourself.

The good news? You don't have to choose. You can build the perfect hybrid trip: watching the world's best in the morning and playing world-class tracks in the afternoon.

Here is our guide to navigating PLAYERS week like a pro.

The Strategy: Watch, Then Play

The mistake most visitors make is trying to spend all day, every day, at the tournament. It's exhausting. The pro move is to watch one or two rounds (at most) and then use your other days in the area to play golf.

But where? Since the Stadium Course is closed to the public, you need to know where the locals play.

Option 1: The Private Access Gem

Marsh Landing Country Club

Just minutes from TPC Sawgrass lies Marsh Landing, a private club that offers a serene counterpoint to the tournament chaos. Winding through the Intracoastal marshes, this Ed Seay design is known for its pristine conditions and challenging layout.

**The Insider Edge:** As a private club, it's inaccessible to the general public. We can arrange exclusive access for your group, getting you away from the crowds and onto a first-class tee sheet.

Option 2: The Coastal Classic

The Amelia Island Experience

If you want to escape the Ponte Vedra bubble entirely for a day, head north to Amelia Island.

**Oak Marsh at Omni Amelia Island:** A classic Pete Dye design that rivals his work at Sawgrass. It's tight, technical, and beautiful.

**The Golf Club of Amelia Island:** Located at the Ritz-Carlton, this is a premium experience that feels a world away from the tournament galleries.

Option 3: The Hall of Fame Experience

World Golf Village (King & Bear / Slammer & Squire)

A short drive south takes you to the World Golf Village. Both courses are excellent, but the King & Bear (co-designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus) is a must-play. It's wide, fun, and immaculate—perfect for a relaxed afternoon round after walking the course all morning.

Dye's Valley: Can You Play It?

A common question we get: "Can I play Dye's Valley during THE PLAYERS?"

The answer is usually no. During tournament week, Dye's Valley is typically transformed into a logistics hub for the pros, media, and hospitality. However, shoulder dates (the days immediately before or after the tournament) can sometimes open up. This is where having a local partner is so important—we monitor the tee sheets daily and can snag these rare openings if they appear.

Surviving the Logistics: The "Sawgrass Traffic" Factor

Let's be honest: Traffic during THE PLAYERS is legendary. Road closures, parking passes, and shuttles can turn a 10-minute drive into an hour-long ordeal.

This is where our local expertise pays for itself. We don't just book tee times; we manage the entire logistical flow of your trip.

**Strategic Lodging:** We place you in properties that allow you to avoid the worst bottlenecks on A1A.

**Private Transportation:** Forget Uber surges and parking lots. We arrange private shuttles that know the back roads and drop-off points to get you in and out efficiently.

**Dinner Reservations:** While everyone else is waiting 2 hours for a table, your group walks right into the best restaurants in town because we secured your reservation months in advance.

The Verdict

THE PLAYERS Championship is an incredible spectacle. But it's even better when you balance the spectator experience with your own world-class golf.

Don't just come to watch. Come to play.

Sawgrass Golf Experiences specializes in curating these high-touch itineraries during the busiest weeks of the year. Let us handle the logistics so you can enjoy the golf.

Contact us today to start planning your 2026 PLAYERS Championship trip.