Dom Furore / Golf Digest
Dom Furore / Golf Digest
Courtesy of TPC Sawgrass
Courtesy of TPC Sawgrass
Courtesy of TPC Sawgrass
TPC Sawgrass: Stadium
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL • Public
TPC Sawgrass: Stadium
110 Championship Way
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082-5050
United States
Telephone
Overview
TPC’s stadium concept was the idea of then-PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman. The 1980 design was pure Pete Dye, who set out to test the world’s best golfers by mixing demands of distance with target golf. Most greens are ringed by random lumps, bumps and hollows, what Dye calls his "grenade attack architecture." His ultimate target hole is the heart-pounding sink-or-swim island green 17th, which offers no bailout, perhaps unfairly in windy Atlantic coast conditions. The 17th has spawned over a hundred imitation island greens in the past 40 years. To make the layout even more exciting during tournament play, Steve Wenzloff of PGA Tour Design Services recently remodeled several holes, most significantly the 12th, which is now a drivable par 4.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
100 Greatest: Ranked since 1983.
2023-'24 ranking: 41st.
Previous ranking: 52nd.
Highest ranking: 25th, 1985-'86.
100 Greatest Public: Ranked since inaugural edition in 2003.
2023-'24 ranking: 9th.
Previous ranking: 11th.
Highest ranking: Current and 2009-'14.
Best in State: Ranked second, 2011 to current.
Current ranking: Second.
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Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“A true "bucket list" golf experience...especially when played right after the TPC, with tournament conditions (rough, green speeds etc.). Dye's design variety can't be truly appreciated on TV - you have to play this classic to truly take in and appreciate the hole variety, aesthetics and shot making challenges. Walk the course and take a caddy if you want to get the full "fun" experience. All bunkers are immaculately groomed and greens putt with consistency in reads and speeds. Surprisingly good value!"
Read More2025
Review
“One of the finest public courses around, even if the greens fee is sky-high. Aim for the middle of the green on 17!!"
Read More2024
Review
“TPC is so much more than the 17th hole that everyone talks about....although I did make a nice 2 there! The front nine is much tighter than I imagined and required precise shotmaking. It's very clear the course gets a ton of play, as the greens and tees were a bit beat up. Very difficult, but fast green complexes."
Read More2024
Review
“planned and practiced the shot for #17.... all good in the mind but also was able to play the shot from the drop zone--even tougher."
Read More2024
Review
“This Pete Dye designed course is clearly one of the most impressive public access courses in America and provides a fun and challenging experience for all levels of golfers. The holes are significantly different from hole to hole with no following hole in the same direction as the last. The course features holes that fade, have doglegs and further demand focus on every shot as significant water hazards line the course as well as well positioned bunkers. Approaching the greens in all cases, demand attention as pot bunkers, water and potential difficult pin placements due to green contours create challenges. The course conditioning is superb with consistency in greens, bunkers and fairways on all holes. The finishing three holes are some of the best in golf. The par 5 16th, while potentially reachable in two for a long hitter is surrounded by bunkers as well as water directly on the right. The infamous 17th island green appears smaller in person than on tv and is a delight to shoot at. Finally, the finishing 18th, with water all along the left puts importance on accuracy of the drive but offers a risk reward opportunity by taking a more left focused route. In all, the golfing experience at the Stadium course from the golf course conditioning, the impressive natural surroundings and the very creative and differentiated layout make this a very enjoyable experience."
Read More2024
Review
“ What a great course. No two holes were alike. Very challenging so scored highly for that, but maybe a bit down for fun for the typical golfer. Conditioning was excellent, fast greens, perfect fairways – played in April. Liked the good shot options around the greens, with some runoff areas to chip or putt, but lots of super challenging mounds and super small pot bunkers on many. Greens were mostly fair with multiple hole locations, Hole 13 Par 3 had a very mounded green and caddie said this was the most 3 putted on tour. Hole 9 was a great hole, a reachable Par 5, but double dog-leg, with a stream cutting across the fairway that tempts a long drive left for reward but will punish a drive on the right of the fairway. Overall, if you can play this is a must, challenging but huge variety."
Read More2023
Review
“The first 7 holes are fairly ordinary, however from 8 onward one will encounter several great & memorable holes. Abundant Dye risk/reward design features throughout as well as preferred angles & penal bunkering. Very strong layout design variety between the different clubs one will use throughout the round as well as the differing length & shape of holes. 16, 17,18 are just as iconic in person(if not more) as one would imagine from watching the Players yearly on TV. Very playable from the pinestraw beds & rough throughout the round if one manages to avoid the water and bunkering versus the OB or waste areas that one might typically see on many other FL courses. Conditioning was better than expected for the amount of play this course surely receives, this panelist also played in 3 hours which was a massive surprise for a semi public course that gets so much play!"
Read More2022
Review
“In this humble panelist's view, this is a modern masterpiece. Extraordinarily demanding, rewarding and eminently fair. Coming down 16 fairway the excitement for my second shot there, the tee shot on 17 and then navigating 18 was as high as it's been for me in a long time. Crazy good ... now ahead of Kiawah Ocean as my favorite Dye."
Read More2022
Review
“Check the time of the year you want to play. Overseeding to winter rye has a big impact on condition changes throughout the year. They overseed the greens also."
Read More2021
Review
“TPC Stadium Course is a “must play” for every serious golfer. Once you get past the “sticker shock” of the cost of play and the “big resort” feel of getting hustled around a bit at this busy complex, you will be treated to a memorable round at a challenging but fair course that has excellent shot values and variability, and is really fun to play. Walking with a caddie adds to the experience, along with some time in the top notch clubhouse and pro shop after your round. Higher handicappers should enjoy the experience as well, as long as you recognize that a slope of 147 at even 6400 yards means that you might have a little more challenge than fun on some holes, but you won’t forget the experience!"
Read More2018
