Hospitality at The Players

Where to eat, drink, chill out at The Players

For foodies

All food options showcase local restaurants, chefs and vendors from the Northeast Florida area, because this is a hometown event, after all.

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1. Before you embark on your family adventure to The Players, you're encouranged to download the PGA Tour  App to be in-the-know on key tournament announcements.

2. Start your adventure at Tacos on 12, located between 11 tee, 12 green and 13 tee, and featuring dishes from Jacksonville’s most popular Baja Mexicana, Taco Lu. Chow down on some tacos while watching the pro golfers attempt to drive the green on the 12th hole.

3. Work your way back to Taste of JAX, a public venue located behind 11 green and 12 tee, which offers local flavors from some of your favorite Jacksonville restaurants, including Brucci’s Pizza, Hawkers Asian Street Fare, Mojo Kitchen and Zoe’s Kitchen. Taste of JAX is also a low-key place to beat the lines, have a seat, and watch some of the golf action (because, yes, there actually is a tournament going on). Oh, and there are permanent restrooms at Taste of JAX, fully stocked with sunscreen, too.

4. Start your engines…it’s food truck time. Trucks on 10, located between 10 fairway, 11 fairway and 15 green, offers flavors from local, favorite food trucks, including: Cely’s Filipino Food, Delish Kabob’s, Mama’s Food (Argentina), Island Girl Seafood, Pele’s Wood Fire and Up in Smoke BBQ. 

5. If you’re still craving some more BBQ, head on over to The Patio (located between 10 tee and 18 green/16 tee) and try some pulled pork from Southern Soul Barbeque, a top-notch barbeque staple from St. Simon’s Island that is making its debut at The PLayers this year. You may recognize this joint (a favorite among many PGA Tour pros in the St. Simons area, especially Davis Love III), as it was recently named the best BBQ joint in the state of Georgia. The Patio offers a shaded fan zone that includes open-air seating and a videoboard to keep up with the tournament, in addition to permanent restroom facilities, the Michelob Ultra Bar and a social media board covering The Players' Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds.

6. The southern comfort continues at Palm Valley Village. New for 2018, the Palm Valley Village is adjacent to the Greenside Lounge and is open to everyone with a Stadium Pass. This new fan area will provide fans with a comfortable area near the 9th green, 18th green and practice area and will feature Sip and Savor presented by William Hill Estate Winery and 4Rivers Smokehouse, because a third-serving of slow-cooked pork in one day is an absolute necessity at The Players.

7. Let’s soothe the pallet with a glass of chardonnay, shall we? Wine & Dine on 9, located left of 9 fairway, features small gourmet plates prepared by Matthew Medure, one of Northeast Florida’s most renowned chefs, in a beautiful garden setting, and – of course – premium varietals from William Hill Estate Winery. If it’s time for another bathroom break, make a quick pit stop at Wine & Dine on 9’s permanent restrooms. 

8. Now seems like it’s a good time to recommend that you stop by the PGA Tour Fan Shop on your way out of either the Nicklaus Entry or Couples Entry.

For the family

Take a closer look at some of the family features we've mapped out for the ultimate tournament experience.

The Family Plan package offers additional savings and benefits for families seeking a day at The Players. Families get two adult Stadium Passes, unlimited youth admission at the entry and two $10 concession vouchers. The Family Plan is $120 for Thursday and Sunday, $130 for Friday and $140 for Saturday (taxes not included).  Parking passes are additional, but remember that any car with four or more passengers parks for free under the  “Four for Free” policy (download vouchers). The Family Plan is offered at 28 participating Daily’s convenience stores and at THEPLAYERS.com.

Kids 18 and younger are admitted free of charge when accompanied by a ticketed adult, and there is no limit to the number of youth fans admitted with that ticketed adult.

Sunday, May 13th is Pink Out at The Players, in celebration of mothers and support of The DONNA Foundation’s breast cancer marathon for research and care. Players, caddies, sponsors, volunteers and fans are encouraged to wear pink, and mothers in attendance will receive a commemorative Mother’s Day pin. The PGA Tour Fan Shop will also feature special merchandise, including apparel, headwear, Tervis Tumblers, mugs, candles and more.

1. After entering the tournament through the Nicklaus Entry or the Couples Entry, stop by the PGA Tour Fan Shop to stock up on merchandise that your kids can get signed by their favorite professional golfers. Must-buys include pin flags and autograph balls. The shop also has an expanded Kids Area with toys, apparel and headgear for kids of all ages. Remember to BYOS: Bring Your Own Sharpies!

2. The McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation Kid Zone featuring The First Tee Experience needs to be on your to-do list as a family. This enclosed air-conditioned venue, located in the Welcome Experience by the Nicklaus Entry, is an interactive destination for kids & families attending The Players. Sorry, we know what you’re thinking: day care is not provided, so either use a kid leash or keep a close eye on your little ball of energy before he/she runs inside the ropes. 

3. One of your first stops of the day should involve taking a picture on the 17th hole with the iconic island green in the background.

4. Next, walk down the 18th hole as you take in views of the clubhouse and prep your kids’ outfits and hair for their picture with the trophy on the clubhouse lawn, just beyond the 18th green.

5. Have a fellow fan snap a picture of your family with The Players Waterford Crystal trophy. Who knows, one of your kids could be hoisting that trophy one day! 

6. Head on over to the practice grounds to watch players warm up before they head to the 1st or 10th tees. You can stand directly behind a player as he warms up on the range, and you may even make a cameo on the Golf Channel broadcast (resulting in your phone to buzz off the hook once your family and friends see you). As your kids start to get hungry, don’t worry --- there’s a concession stand right near you. There’s nothing like a hot dog, ice cream cone and a splash of lemonade to soothe a crying child.

7. It’s autograph time!! There are two designated Autograph Zones on the course: one at the practice grounds and the other at the scoring are behind 18 green. Please note that you are not allowed to ask players for autographs while they are playing practice or tournament rounds. Players have been asked to spend time in the two designated autograph zones before and/or after play to sign autographs for fans, and the autograph zones are marked with signage for fans and players and are also listed on the course map. There is a “kid corner” within the autograph zones designated specifically for your kids. Give a kid a sharpie and….watch him/her come back with a new hat, pin flag or autograph ball.

8. After your kids have given Rickie Fowler a fist pump, we recommend going up on the mound by The Players champions’ country flags and the 3rd tee. This is a great view of the par-3 3rd hole and is easy for your kids to digest what is going on, especially if they are just learning golf.  

9. Time for some air conditioning? Head over to Stadium Village, located behind 18 green, which is an air-conditioned public fan zone that features a centrally located bar, open table seating, luxury restrooms and The 17th Hole Challenge presented by Grant Thornton, Optum and Morgan Stanley – a replica of the famed 17th hole where fans can take two free shots at the Island Green or purchase an additional chance for a $5 donation to The First Tee of North Florida. Your kids will absolutely soak up the attention as they try to hit the replica Island Green (approximately 30 yards), and if successful, will unleash a fist pump unlike any other. If you make a $20 donation (or more) for a “The First Tee Fast Pass,” you can bypass the queue, take five shots and receive a free sleeve of golf balls. All proceeds benefit The First Tee of North Florida.

10. It’s potty time! Head over to The Patio, located between 10 tee and 18 green/16 tee, to use the permanent restrooms (yay, no porta potties!) and reapply some sunscreen.

11. How about one more bite to eat? We highly recommend checking out Trucks on 10, located between 10 fairway, 11 fairway and 15 green, which offers flavors from local, favorite food trucks, including: Cely’s Filipino Food, Delish Kabob’s, Mama’s Food, Island Girl Seafood, Pele’s Wood Fire and Up in Smoke BBQ.

12. Head back up the 18th hole and let your kids roll down the hill and burn off all of the food and energy they’ve been storing up. It’s become a tradition for kids to roll down the hill a few times. Just make sure you don’t roll out into the 18th fairway. That would be frowned upon.

13. Now that your kids are tired and a little more laid back, let’s have the parents enjoy a little bit of the golf action on the 17th hole. Lay out on the lawn and watch some of the afternoon’s key groups make their way through the final three holes. Have a contest with your kids and see how many balls will end up in the water. The winner gets a frozen lemonade!

14. Is it time to change a diaper or nurse your child? New in 2018, we are super excited to announce The Family Care Suite presented by Baptist Health, located near the Couples and Nicklaus entries. Baptist offers all attendees a skin screening center for healthy skin and provides a comfort station for mothers and fathers to care for their babies and have a private, comfortable venue as needed during tournament week. 

15. If your family is super adventurous, head back to the Autograph Zone by the 18th green to catch players after their rounds and add a few more signatures to your kids’ hats.

The social scene

The Playaers is the place to see and to be seen from May 8-13. 

First things first: hashtags and handles. They have to be on point. No one wants to be that person. @THEPLAYERSChamp on Twitter, @THEPLAYERS on Facebook, @theplayerschamp on Instagram. #THEPLAYERS (Yes, all caps.) Get it right and you may see yourself on the giant video screens on 17 or 18. 

1. Even though you are here for the social scene, you may want to check the pairings and tee times for each day. You may not be following the golf action that closely, but it helps to know where/when to find the game’s biggest stars just in case you want a glimpse of Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy or Sergio Garcia. At the very least, you’ll know where the biggest crowds are.

2. After entering the tournament through the Nicklaus Entry or the Couples Entry, figure out where your first beverage will come from. There are several options. 

· For those interested in a morning start, visit the Grey Goose Bloody Mary Bar. The bar is available as soon as the gates open until 11 a.m.

· If you are looking for a quick stop at one of the best indoor locations for those with a Stadium Pass (grounds ticket), start at The Oasis (must be 21+; be prepared to present your ID), an air-conditioned venue located between 9 and 18 tee boxes and featuring signature cocktails made with Grey Goose Vodka (the Sawgrass Splash, our signature drink, is a must), food for purchase and a rear deck for prime views of No. 9 tee. The Oasis opens right when the entries do, but just make sure that if you start your day here, you plan on coming back when it gets a little more crowded and becomes a hot spot all week long. 

· For the beer lover, head right over to the Bier Garden presented by Hoptinger (which opens at 10:30 am), adjacent to the Couples Entry in the old courtyard location and try a variety of craft beers to get armed and amped for the day.

3. If you want to take a selfie with The Players Waterford Crystal trophy set against the backdrop of the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse before the line gets too long, head down the 18th hole and over to the clubhouse lawn. If you didn’t take a selfie, were you really at The Players?

4. After cheesing for photos and checking out the scene around the clubhouse, it’s time for lunch! We recommend Tacos on 12, located between 11 tee, 12 green and 13 tee, which features dishes from Jacksonville’s most popular Baja Mexicana, Taco Lu. Chow down on some tacos while watching the pro golfers attempt to drive the green on the 12th hole. And be sure to give them an “Ole!” if they’re successful!

5. By now, it’s probably time for the restroom, right? If so, go to Taste of JAX, a public venue located behind 11 green and 12 tee, and use their permanent restrooms (conveniently stocked with sunscreen!) Taste of JAX opens when the entries open and offers local flavors from some of your favorite Jacksonville restaurants, including Brucci’s Pizza, Hawkers Asian Street Fare, Mojo Kitchen and Zoe’s Kitchen, so just in case that taco didn’t fill you up, there’s plenty more food options. Taste of JAX is also a great, low-key place to beat the lines, have a seat and watch the telecast before you go back to all of the crazy action on the 17th hole.

6. As the action on the course is now in full swing, so is the scene by the 16th and 17th holes. One of the main places to be seen is the lawn on the Island Green 17th hole. Grab some food, a drink and plop down on the lawn to view all of the groups come through on the 16th and 17th holes. If you’re wanting to get out of the sun for a little bit, check out the Fan Bleachers presented by Mayo Clinic, located on the 16th tee as well as the 17th green. A notorious spot for the socialites during the happy hour timeframe is the lawn area in between the 17th green and the 18th hole. This is a great “see and be seen” spot so don’t be afraid to dust off the plaid knickers and a horrendously ugly gorgeous sports coat and rainbow suspenders so you announce your presence with authority. By the time mid-afternoon rolls around, a lot of players are steadily coming through the final three holes, so you won’t want to miss any of the action. Just a fair warning: Once the sun starts to set behind the 17th hole, that is a prime IG moment or Snapchat story.

7. On Tuesday, stay put on the 17th hole on Tuesday, May 8, because from 5:30-7 p.m. we have our Military Appreciate Ceremony, featuring a performance from iHeartRadio’s 2018 Best New Country Artist, Luke Combs.

8. On your way out, stop by the PGA Tour Fan Shop at the Nicklaus Entry to stock up on exclusive gear, including specialty t-shirts and custom logoed hats. For the gentleman, this selection includes brands such as Goldman Logo, Peter Millar, Travis Mathew, Johnnie O, Loudmouth and 47 Brand t-shirts, among many others. For the women, brands range from Nike, Annika, Greg Norman and Polo/RLX to Puma, Under Amour, adidas and FootJoy, among others.

9. If you’ve had a few and don’t have a reliable designated drive, use Uber through the tournament's rideshare program. If you biked to the tournament, happy cycling and don’t forget to use your hand signals.