TPC Sawgrass and Ponte Vedra

For golfers, the stretch of coast south of Jacksonville is a pilgrimage. Ponte Vedra Beach is the headquarters of the PGA Tour, and TPC Sawgrass, a few minutes inland, hosts THE PLAYERS Championship, often described as golf's fifth major. The Stadium Course, designed by Pete Dye and opened in 1980, is famous worldwide for its par-three 17th hole, a short shot to an island green surrounded by water that has decided championships and humbled amateurs for decades. Public play is available to resort guests and to visitors who book tee times, which means you can stand on the same tee box as the professionals, even if your scorecard looks quite different. The area also offers several other courses, including the Dye's Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass and championship courses at nearby resorts, along with practice facilities, instruction and spas. Even non-golfers enjoy the setting: the clubhouse, the landscaping and the spectacle of the tournament build a sense of occasion that makes it a worthwhile excursion from the city.

Tee times at TPC Sawgrass are in high demand and are typically released well in advance, so plan early, especially for spring and fall. Rates vary by season and by day, with the Stadium Course the premium choice, and stay-and-play packages with nearby resorts can combine accommodation and golf. Walking is limited, with carts the norm, and caddies are available at some venues. Bring a camera for the 17th, since photographs at the island green are almost a ritual, and check the dress code, which usually requires collared shirts and appropriate footwear.

If you do not play, the property is still worth a look. The clubhouse and surroundings are open at certain times, and the practice areas often feature visiting professionals in the build-up to the tournament. THE PLAYERS Championship is held in the spring, usually in March, when the city fills with fans, hotels sell out early and prices rise, so book accommodation months ahead if you plan to attend.

Outside tournament week, the area is calmer, and you may find shoulder-season discounts on golf and lodging. Nearby, Ponte Vedra Beach offers upscale dining, boutique shopping and a broad Atlantic beach with fewer crowds than the Jacksonville Beach strip.

Combine golf with the rest of the coast. Resorts in Ponte Vedra, including historic properties dating to the 1920s, offer spas, tennis and beach clubs, making them natural bases for a golf getaway. Afternoons are well spent on the sand or in the pools, while evenings favor seafood restaurants and wine bars.

Non-golfing companions can enjoy spa treatments, beach walks and shopping while the group tees off. If you only have a day, aim for a morning tee time, followed by lunch near the clubhouse and an afternoon at the beach. Remember Florida's summer thunderstorms: courses clear the fairways for lightning, so be ready to wait out delays.

For travelers building a golf trip, consider a package that combines two or three rounds with a Ponte Vedra resort stay, and leave one afternoon free for a lesson or a short-game clinic with a local professional. Practice facilities are first-rate, and a lesson with a PGA teaching professional can be as memorable as the round itself. Pack layers, since early morning tee times in winter can start cool.