Hey everyone:

I am taking a little weekend trip with the wife down to the Sawgrass Marriot. I have 3 days and can play 36 each day. I am going to sace the TPC at Sawgrass for the last day and want to "warm up" on a couple courses that won't make me poor. My family and I have gone down the past couple years and I have played The Golf Club at SouthHampton and St. Johns Golf and Country Club. I really like The Golf Club at SouthHampton but did not care for the St. Johns Course. I am also looking at playing Julington Creek.

Any other suggestions?

Palencia....www.vivapalencia.com

BTW, you may run into Gerry James ala Big Break fame...

Looks like it is private. I don't have any contacts down there. Anyone know?

Bent Creek
http://www.golfbentcreek.com/billycasperIn...2&page=1773

Panther Creek
http://www.panthercreekgolf.com/

Jax Beach
http://www.jacksonvillebeachgolfclub.com/home/index.php

Country Club of Orange Park
http://www.ccofop.com/m_20.asp

Mill Cove
http://www.golfersguide.com/course.php?course_id=172

Cimmarone
http://www.lastminutegolfer.com/Course/Cou...sp?CourseID=630

The Golf Club at North Hampton
http://www.hamptongolfclubs.com/NHampton.html

Windsor Parke
http://www.golfersguide.com/course.php?course_id=192

Just came back from TPC last week. I would highly recommend Sawgrass CC. It's across the street and the conditions were actully better than TPC. It just hosted a college tournament so the greens were rolling nicely (12 - 12.5 according to the pro shop) and the fairways were in great condition. Try to play the East and West nines, as they are the better (and hosted the tournament).

Also, I would try to play 36 at the TPC Valley course. I enjoyed it as much as the Stadium course -- a little more playable, but still several memorable holes (think doglegs around water much like 18 at Stadium). I'm not sure when you are going, but they do close the Stadium course early to get it ready. FYI, it's also a 'cart path only' course. For a caddy, I would recommend Mark (can't remember his last name) or Doug (don't know his last name but he is only one of 6 - 8 VIP caddies there meaning he is assigned to pro's, VIPs, etc.).....we had these two for all of our TPC rounds and had a blast!!!! If you are interested in either of those caddies, let me know and I'll try to find out their full names.

Finally, hope for not too much wind!!! When we teed of last Monday, we had a sustained wind in the 20s with gusts well into the 30s.....makes Stadium that much more difficult.

Get to the TPC grounds early. The practice facility is second-to-none.

Enjoy!!

St. Augustine isn't very far with with World Golf Village (Slammer & Squire and King & Bear).

Of the courses already listed I would play Northhampton, Sawgrass CC, and the Valley. If you like Southampton, Northhampton is right up your ally. Northampton is probably the nicest I have played in Jax, besides TPC Sawgrass and Pablo Creek.

Definitely do not overlook Valley. It is a very nice course.

King and Bear down in WGV. Squirea and Slammer is lame, however.

Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Ocean COurse, if you can get on it. My friend is a member. It was supposed to host a Ryder Cup that got cancelled due to WWII.