Honestly, if you ask a casual golf fan where "The Fifth Major" is held, they’ll probably just point vaguely toward Florida. They aren’t wrong, but there is a lot more to it than just a pin on a map.
The Players Championship is held at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
It isn't just "near Jacksonville." It is the literal heartbeat of the PGA Tour. The tournament is parked right at 110 Championship Way, a spot that was basically a swampy mess of alligators and snakes before legendary architect Pete Dye and Commissioner Deane Beman decided to turn it into a tactical nightmare for the world's best golfers.
Where Is The Players Golf Tournament Located Exactly?
If you're looking for the specific coordinates, you’re heading to the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. This isn't a rotating venue like the U.S. Open or the PGA Championship. Since 1982, this has been the permanent home.
Ponte Vedra Beach is a posh, coastal community in Northeast Florida. It’s tucked away in St. Johns County, which, fun fact, is one of the wealthiest counties in the state. The course itself is part of a massive development called Sawgrass. You’ve got the Atlantic Ocean just a stone's throw to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway bordering the property.
Getting there is kinda straightforward but can be a massive headache if you don't plan. Most people fly into Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). From there, it’s about a 35 to 40-minute drive south, depending on how bad the traffic is on I-95 and J. Turner Butler Boulevard.
Why the Location Actually Matters
Most courses are built and then people try to find a place to stand. TPC Sawgrass was the first "Stadium Course."
Beman wanted a place where the "common fan" could actually see the golf. Pete Dye used the dirt excavated from the lakes to build these massive grass mounds around the greens. It’s basically a natural amphitheater.
If you've ever stood on the hill at the 17th hole, you know what I mean. You aren't just watching golf; you're looking down into a pit of despair or triumph.
The 2026 tournament marks the 50th Anniversary of this event. While the tournament started elsewhere (it hopped around places like Atlanta Country Club and Colonial in the 70s), it didn't really find its soul until it landed in Ponte Vedra.
The Layout You’ll Be Walking
The Stadium Course is a par 72 that stretches out to about 7,275 yards. But length isn't the story here. The story is that no two consecutive holes play in the same direction.
Think about that.
If the wind is whipping off the Atlantic—which it usually is in March—you never get comfortable. You’ll have a tailwind on 15, a crosswind on 16, and then you turn into a brutal headwind on the famous island green at 17. It’s mental gymnastics at its finest.
Dates and Logistics for 2026
If you’re planning to go, mark March 10–15, 2026 on your calendar.
The tournament always takes over that second week of March. It’s that perfect "Spring Break" vibe where the weather is usually in the 70s, though North Florida is moody. I've seen fans in parkas on Thursday and sunburned in t-shirts by Sunday.
- Practice Rounds: Tuesday and Wednesday.
- The Big Show: Thursday through Sunday.
- Military Appreciation: Usually Tuesday features a massive concert. For 2026, it's still March 10.
Pro tip: You cannot just show up and pay for parking.
They stopped doing on-site sales years ago. Everything is digital. If you don't have a pre-paid parking pass on your phone, the cops at the gate will literally turn you around. It’s $15–$20 for the practice days and jumps to $45–$50 for the actual tournament days.
The 17th Hole: The Island Green Mythos
You can’t talk about where the tournament is without talking about the 137-yard nightmare.
Most people think the Island Green was some master plan by Pete Dye. It wasn't. It was actually his wife, Alice Dye.
They had dug so much sand out of that area to build the rest of the course that they were left with a giant hole. Alice basically said, "Why don't we just fill it with water and leave a green in the middle?"
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Pete hated the idea at first. Now, it's the most famous 137 yards in the world. During the tournament, there are 11 different cameras just on that one hole. It’s where leads go to die.
Getting Around Ponte Vedra Beach
If you aren't staying at the Sawgrass Marriott (which is literally connected to the course by a walkway), you’re probably staying in Jacksonville Beach or Southside.
- Rideshare: There is a dedicated Uber/Lyft drop-off at the Couples Entry off ATP Boulevard. It’s way easier than parking, but surge pricing is a beast when the final putt drops.
- Pedal Power: They actually offer free bicycle parking. If you’re staying nearby, just bike in. You’ll bypass the line of cars backed up on A1A.
- Shuttles: Many of the local hotels run their own shuttles. Check with your front desk before you spend $100 on an Uber.
What Most People Miss
The Clubhouse.
Seriously, even if you aren't a "fancy building" person, the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse is 77,000 square feet of Mediterranean-style insanity. It’s actually 40% larger than the White House.
It’s open to the public most of the year, but during the tournament, it’s the nerve center. If you can snag a pass to get inside, do it. The history in those hallways—the original $1 check used to buy the land, the past winners' lockers—it's golf nerd heaven.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you're heading to the 2026 Players Championship, don't be the person who gets stuck in the mud or misses the best views.
- Buy your tickets early: Since it's the 50th Anniversary, 2026 is going to sell out fast. There are no paper tickets. Get the PGA Tour app and make sure your phone is charged.
- The "Hill" Strategy: If you want a seat at 17, you need to get there early. Like, "gates open" early. People park their collapsible chairs (no bags allowed!) and stay all day.
- Hydrate or Die: It's Florida. Even in March, the humidity will sneak up on you.
- Walk the back nine backwards: If you want to avoid the massive crowds moving from hole 1 to 18, start at 18 and walk toward 10. You'll see more golf and fight fewer elbows.
Don't forget that the course is also home to the PGA Tour’s Global Headquarters. When you’re standing on the property, you’re standing at the center of the professional golf universe.
Check the official tournament site for the exact "Know Before You Go" bag policy, as they are strict about the 6x6 inch bag rule. If your bag is bigger than a sandwich, you'll be walking back to your car.