I've been telling my golf buddies for years that I can hit the island green in my first try (trash talk) and have finally gotten the "put-up or shut-up," if ya know what I mean. I'm thinking of making a trip down but I wanted to know what everyone thinks of this course (as well as accommodations, etc.) before I part with the $$.

Please feel free to share your experiences. I am sure everything is great, but I am still curious. If anyone has a scorecard or knows where one can be found please let me know. Much thanks.

http://www.tpc.com/sawgrass/pdf/inside_scorecards.pdf

heres a link to the scorecard. ive never played there though

I've got a client down there that has provided me with the excuse to play the TPC Stadium course many times. (I've never played the Valley course though.) I never get tired of the tournament course, and bet that you'll hit 17 unless the wind is really tricky. Plan to play it twice and maybe the pressure will be off a bit the first time you're on the 17th and 18th tees.

I've found the resort's hotel and restaurants more than adequate. The people at the course itself are very professional and accommodating. Spend a little time in the club house and look around at the items they've chosen to display regarding the course's history. Bring more than one ball!

Valley is just as good IMHO. Sawgrass CC across the street is also very good. The Marriott there has recently been redone and there are tons of good restaurants in the area. Other courses to check out while you are here are North Hampton, Palencia, King and Bear, Ocean Hammock (Palm Coast), Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, and Amelia Island Plantation courses. Pablo Creek is my favorite course here, but is ultra exclusive and you would have to know a member to get on there. Make some calls! TPC really isn't that difficult if you are a decent golfer and are hitting the ball decently...

Let me know if you have any other questions...

Thanks everyone. Very helpful!

I just played it in August. I unfortunately caught it during aerification time so the fairways and greens were top dressed. I'm a 6 handicap and shot a 90. The majority of the strokes were due to hitting the ball heavy almost all freakin day.

Hole 13, do NOT go long and right if the pin is front. You will regret that. I 4 putted that green after that disaster.

17 isn't that bad, at least I didn't think so. Man up and play the hole from the tournament tee, it's only 137 yards. Fire only at the center of the green. If it's Saturday or Sunday pin placements and you try and get cute, you'll dunk it in the water.

Great course, I played it last year and had a great time, as one poster stated, the Valley course is very nice and fun to play. There was tread on here a few months back about playing the TPC with some good advice. I would love to play it again with the knowledge I have now. On the par 5's your tee shot is key, if your in the rough it will be difficult to set up your appoach shot to the green. Obviously easier said than done, fairways are the key to scoring on the par 4's. I didn't feel the course was that difficult except that you are "playing were the Pros play", get over that part and just hit your normal golf shots. As for 17, it is pretty straight forward, the day I played they had the Sunday pin placement, left hand side behind the bunker. I dropped one in the water on my first shot, second shot landed about 4 feet from the pin, knocked in the putt for a smooth bogey. Once I got on the green I realized how big it was, it is a pretty big target. They will give you a caddy, I felt their advice was good for tee shots and approaches, you know your putting stroke better than anyone, go with your gut verse the caddy. You read greens all the time on your own, the TPC greens are not that difficult to read. Most of all relax and have fun, it still just golf.

I just played it last Sunday.

My impressions - it's tough. We played from the whites, and it was challenging enough from there. My buddy and I played with his step-dad and we had a good time, mostly by checking our egos at the gate.

Honestly, neither of us took it too seriously considering we really hadn't played in the last six months. So I had a few pops and just tried to enjoy the course.

The wind is probably the trickiest aspect of the course. Also, there aren't a whole lot of good views of the holes (fairways and greens). So unless you're really familiar with the entire layout from TV, expect some guessing.

Also, there are a ton of varied lies. Uphill, downhill, side-hill, you can expect to see them all.

That stated, from the whites, if you've been playing recently, it is a very playable course. For every hole that is difficult, there is another that balances it. Overall, it is a fair test.

My irons were awful (really, really awful, chunks, shanks, geese farts, etc.), but the rest of my game was decent. I managed a 102 with mostly bogies on the card. I bogeyed 17, but was on the green in one. The wind there plays fits, I thought I'd finally hit a decent iron, only to end up well short of the hole.

In short, you need your irons and a decent short game to play it well. Be wary of the wind.

Would I play it again? Not for the price, and we were in at half off.

Hope this helps, or, at least, doesn't hinder!

Cheers,

Ben

I got lost in the clubhouse.

I've played both Stadium and Valley twice. Don't underestimate the Valley. It's very nice.

Stadium is fun because as you play it you remember tourny shots. "remember when Sergio was there?" or "Phil pulled his tee shot there."

17 is easy to hit. I hit it both times. The tough part is hitting the correct tier because it you are on the wrong tier, it will be a tough two-putt.

18 is actually much tougher. The 2nd time I played I parred it in the dark. My friend and I both hit tee shots. Had no idea where they went. Found them in the fairway. Hit our appraoches. Again, no clue where. Found them both on the green and two-putted in the dark.

I second the caddie and their putting lines. Some of the lines he gave me were using a full break, die it into the cup. I putt and if I miss, I'm 2-4 feet by. That can make quite a difference. When in doubt, read it yourself and if you're blind as hell, ask for caddie help.

Wow. Thanks everyone. So, I am wondering if I should tackle the pro tees? I have a 4 index. Distance is not an issue and I have been known to work a tee shot now and then. Got lots of extra balls in the bag. Has anyone given it a rip from back there?

At a 4, sure, why not? I'm a 7 and I'd be game for it. Probably not the right tees but it ould be part of the experience.

I might look into staying there in April, seems like there ar enough courses around there for a nice 5 day golf trip.

I would venture to say it's one of the most difficult courses I've had the privelege to play, from the back tees that is. Everyone talks about #17 but it will be somewhat of a disappointment when you get to play it. The few times I played it I hit PW and a 9-iron and the green is surprisingly large. #18 is a different story...what a BEAR!!!

Great golf course and a must play for any golf enthusiast.

Hard to pick your lines from the tees as you usually are looking at the fairway level or at eye level. I believe Pete Dye is the sort to try to fool you with depth perception with the placement of his bunkers.

I definitely want another crack at it though. I played it @10-12 years ago and @6-7 points higher on my handicap. The back nine is much more memorable from tournament history. If you play it on TW-EA Sports, then you will probably know all of the holes.

As said, #17 is all about wind. If it is calm it is really nothing. #18 is very cool, and intimidating. You should play the tees that give you similar shots into the greens as the pros. So if you have the length play it back unless it is wet.

I have played the Stadium and the Valley twice. If the Stadium is a "10" the Valley is a solid "7." The hotel is first rate and as everyone has stated, lots of good places to eat.

Played the Stadium on day one from the tees closest to the pro tees, light to moderate wind. Shot a 106, had a terrible day, lost my swing (I am a 9 index), exicited I guess. If you miss a fairway, you are in the trees, water, or in the lateral sand. Greens are elevated and surrounded by heavy rough and sand. On the 17th, we all hit from the pro tees. I knocked my ball right on, no problem. We went to the drop area (the rest in my group missed the green). I hit one from there too, on the green again. Hmmm, easy.

Day two, wind up (oh my), swing still lost, shot a 92. Had just birdied 16. The 17th was playing in a swirling cross wind, pin in back center. My first ball started right, carried on the wind, hit pin high 20 feet away, two bounces, off the green into the drink. We went to the drop area and my ball hits in the front middle, spins back off the green into the pot bunker and into the back lip of the bunker. I had to punch it the center of the bunker (4 feet forward) then hit out...then two putt for a 7.

Hooked my drive on 18 into the water but still carded a bogie.

Not only is the wind a factor at 17, they keep the 17th green a little harder that the rest. Any ball hit near the back will bounce. Also you can't see the green very well, the surface seems almost at your eye level, not like on TV when you look from above.

Best of luck...

I have been lucky enough to play the Stadium course 3 times during a trip down there. The course is absolutely awesome. I would say that your iron game needs to be on or else you will have more sand shots than you can imagine. 17 was a tough hole because of its history. I dunked one over the green on my first try, becuase I didn't check the wind, and it was blowing from behind us, so when my ball got above the trees, it just sailed. I fixed my club selection the next two rounds, and ended up making par both days. The greens are tough, and don't break very much if you put the ball on the same quadrant as the pin. If you don't, expect some wild puts. The speed is perfect at about a 9-9.5. The fairways are generous in their landing areas, but don't try to cut off more than you should or else this course will sink its teeth into you. Have fun on the first round, and try to score on the second. I shot 86, 76, 81 on my first and second round. The hardest part for me was putting, and putting the the ball on the green. They are small, but difficult to putt if you don't put the ball in the right area. I didn't putt worth a darn the entire week, but I enjoyed the heck out of it. You will be in sensory overload during your first round, but should be better on your second. Driver is not really needed on the course either, depending on how far you hit it. If you hit your driver over 280, then you won't need it except on the par 5's. Enjoy.

Little history. The average number of balls that are hit into the water on 17 per round in 3. That came from the historian in the club house. Don't forget to look for Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk. That is their home course.

I've played both the Stadium and Valley courses many times. Most of the high points have been covered here. Both courses are great, although the Stadium course is definitley a notch above. In my opinion, the difficulty of 17 is overrated, and the difficulty of 18 is underrated. For someone that cuts the ball (me) that tee shot on 18 is not fun. My one piece of advice would be to leave some time so you can take advantage of the practice facility.

Played it twice and hit 17 twice. Going again with my group in 3 weeks. 17 is unimpressive IMO when you walk up. The tees can vary significantly. It's all about the crowd similar to TPC Scottsdale #16 (which I've also played a number of times). 17 is not necessarily easy with the wind, but the fans create the pressure you see on TV. The course as a whole is great...hard. A real challenge. Can't wait to see the new clubhouse and course since all the work.

JS

I'm new here but I have a membership to the valley course. I am a upcoming professional golfer on the Hooters tour but just wanted to let you know the place is awesome. The valley course is usually in better shape than the stadium because of the play the stadium gets but you pay for the experience. Its truly unlike anything else. The finishing holes are sick and 18 is the toughest par 4 i've ever played. From the tips you have to hit it over the ladies tees to keep the water out of play. I think one of the more underrated par 3's is number 8 becuase it can play 230 from all the way back into a narrow green. You'll love the experience and the staff is top notch. If you in the area send me a PM and maybe we'll go play the valley course.

I am thinking about joining the valley course is it worth it?

Wow. Thanks for the offer! If I end up making the trip I will definitely get in touch. Good luck on the Hooters Tour.

Yeah I think its worth it. The facility is top notch and you have the tour academy right there if you want a lesson. You get unlimited range balls/access to the facilities. The valley course doesnt charge green fee's but does charge for a cart fee just like any other course. The only problem is that during the weekends it becomes pretty crowded with all the tourist that come into the area. Its pretty cool but you tend to lose appreication of seeing a PGA tour pro like Vijay, Duval, Funk or even Furyk just because you see the faces everyday. Vijay has his own parking spot where he puts his black SRT-10 ram truck in it.

Anyway its pretty awesome. Plus you get 20% off all food and clothing in the proshop.

A friend of mine used to have a Valley mebership. He thought it was a great deal. I think he switched to PV I&C though and likes that a lot too.

any idea of the cost of the PV Inn and Club?

Brother just played the stadium course for free as he volunteered during the TPC. He said he had to hit off of mats at the range! I thought that was crazy, and the round took over 5.5 hrs because of how overbooked they were.