![Eric Cole hits his second shot out of the fairway on 14 during the first round of The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass, March 12, 2026 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. March 12, 2026. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_352,w_1070,h_601/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/120/01kkj2sk0kqdhdrxhkg8.jpg "Eric Cole hits his second shot out of the fairway on 14 during the first round of The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass, March 12, 2026 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. March 12, 2026. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]")
The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is famous for its island-green 17th and terrifying 18th, and rightfully so. These holes make up one of the scariest finishes in golf. When factoring in the par-5 16th with its water-surrounded green, there is no limit to the drama that can be created on these final three holes.
But there is a whole lot more packed into holes one through 15 that doesn't see the same spotlight. Sawgrass is an incredibly stressful golf course with forced carries and small targets from start to finish. With The Players Championship in full swing, let's take a closer look at the many merits throughout the bulk of the Stadium Course prior to the legendary conclusion.
TPC Sawgrass makes use of a variety of angles, hazards and distances to create visual intimidation and demand diverse shot-making.
The first true highlight of the golf course comes at the 4th, a short par-4 that requires thought and precision. The fairway is narrow and angled from left to right, and at only 387 yards, most players will use an iron to ensure they find the short grass. A long bunker runs down the entire right side, and avoiding the deep rough on the left is crucial as a small creek runs directly in front and to the left of the green; it is extremely difficult to carry this creek from the long grass, and many of these scenarios lead to a layup.
Needless to say, missing short of the green is a disaster, but overshooting it results in a lightning-fast chip back toward the water. Overspinning the ball back into the creek is also a danger here, making this one of the more nervy wedge shots on the course.
The par-4 6th is another memorable hole, primarily due to its unique tee shot. A large tree limb hangs over the teeing area about 30 yards from the back tee. Last year, a tree was relocated from a different part of the hole to restore this infamous teeing obstacle that was lost a few years prior. Players must flight their tee shots below this tree to ensure it finds the fairway. The approach to the green is also tight with the green surrounded by pot bunkers and dozens of gorgeous palm trees.
The 600-yard ninth is a great par-5. It doglegs to the left, and the tee shot is extremely strategic. Water cuts in and across on the right side, so players opting to drive it as far as possible can take it down the left away from the water. This, however, results in a second shot high over trees and shrub to a green that is completely obscured from view. Players who want a better angle must challenge the water on the right side and will be left with a much longer approach.
Another quality par-5 is presented at the 11th, a 560-yard dogleg left with a massive bunker protecting the left side of the fairway. The hole bends to the left as a second huge beach bunker runs across and in front of the narrow green, acting as a buffer between the putting surface and the water to the right.
The 12th has changed in recent years; it measures 365 yards on the card but has become a drivable par 4 when the Tour shortens it to under 300. The green is surrounded by runoffs, and on the left side, this short grass leads down to a pond, creating a significant risk when driving the green as the putting surface pitches in this direction.
The 13th is a very difficult par 3 with water clinging tightly to the left side. It measures about 190 yards with a two-tiered green; when the hole is cut on the lower left side near the water, players can bank shots off the slope from the higher tier on the right to feed the ball down to the hole.
The final true highlight before the great finish is the par-4 14th, one of the most difficult holes on the course. It is the longest par 4 at 470 yards, and it presents a dangerous tee shot with water down the left side. Also hugging the left is one of the biggest bunkers in the Southern United States, a colossal trap that stretches before the start of the fairway along the entire length of the hole, snaking all the way up past the green.
The hazard is over 300 yards long in total and causes a problem on the approach as well as the drive as long iron shots into the green must split this trap and more pot bunkers on the right.
While the finish undoubtedly defines TPC Sawgrass, the Stadium Course holds golfers' attention throughout the round. With the drama and ever-present stress this venue provides, it makes for the perfect venue for the PGA Tour's flagship event.