Here’s the Golf News guide to The Players Championship this month at the TPC Stadium Course:
Basic facts:
• It’s the entire week of March 20-26 with practice rounds on the first three days and competition the last four.
• Every big name will be in the field (unless they’re hurt, of course.)
• The purse won’t be known until the week of the tournament but last week’s winner got $1,440,000 of the total $8 million. It will be more this year and that’s why all the top players will compete.
• All four days will have some television coverage. ESPN has the first two days from noon until 6. The weekend rounds will be on NBC with coverage from 2-6 on Saturday and 1:30-6:30 on Sunday.
• Say it again: it’s March 20-26, not May. That starts in 2007.
Before you get in
Getting a ticket
They’re for sale at various locations but ask around before you buy. Corporations buy lots and you might land one, especially for a weekday round.
When to go
There really isn’t a “rush hour” so make your plans according to your schedule.
Where to park
Unless you’re a player, VIP or media member, you’re headed for the only lot, a giant area which stretches from 210 to the south of the TPC complex and wraps around the back of the course. It’s accessible from either A1A or SR 210, but the latter is your best bet because it will have less traffic. From I-95 in either direction, exit at SR 210 (that’s the big truck stop) and follow the road west. It takes a big dogleg at US 1 so watch the signage.
Security
It won’t be like an airport but they’ll look you over.
What you can bring
A water bottle or two, normal clothing, binoculars, umbrella, folding chair.
What you can’t bring
Food, cell phones, pagers, radios, backpacks or purses larger than 6”x6”x6”, signs, coolers, guns, knives.
Photos?
Cameras are allowed on Monday through Wednesday. When they start playing for money on Thursday, no more cameras.
If you get caught ...
Unauthorized items must be returned to your car. There is no place at the tournament to store them.
Sneaking in
You probably can because it’s not a “ticket” event like a Jaguars game where you present a ticket and it’s either scanned or stubbed. Golf tournaments are “badge” events and your badge — it’s really a credential — must be displayed at all times. Because of this, gate guards will be looking for banned items rather than admission badges, so you might get through the gate. But you probably won’t stay long, as the volunteers are instructed to catch people sneaking in.
While you’re there
How to watch
Two schools of thought here: move or sit still. If you move with a popular player, you’ll be fighting the crowd. If you sit, you’ll have a good view of a popular player but from that vantage spot only. Many experienced fans plan way ahead, moving back and forth among groups to maximize the viewing. The better players generally are grouped together in the middle of the starting times on Thursday and Friday, so you can see good big names easily if you use this plan.
Best places to see players
Any place that’s in a “corner” usually has fewer people. The best example of a corner is the second tee, which is tucked away from the rest of the course and really isn’t a place for an interesting shot — they’ll just pound away down a reasonably wide fairway. The seventh tee is almost the same, as is the 11th tee. If you have a need to really get close to a player so you can watch his swing, stand next to the ropes on the 15th tee — you’ll be within 15 feet or so.
Best places to see good shots
Any mid-fairway spot on a par 5 is good as most players can try and reach the green, and there’s risk involved on each. The big mound behind the fourth green is good, too, because of the elevation changes on the putting surface that will produce odd rolls. And, of course, anywhere you can see the 17th green.
Quiet spots
If you want to escape the crowds, there are a few places where you can relax and still be part of the tournament. The aforementioned 2nd and 7th tees are about as peaceful as you’ll get at The Players. Other good break places are the mounds to the left of No. 4 fairway, the woody area to the right of No. 6, the tee at No. 8, behind the 10th green and maybe to the right of the 14th green.
No. 17
The hill to the left of the hole is the most popular place on the entire course and it’s stepped so you can sit there and not slide down. There’s only one way to advise you on this place: get there early if you want a seat.
The range
The TPC has one of the best ranges anywhere for viewing. There’s plenty of room for everyone and you’ll be able to quickly find your favorite player because each has a sign behind his hitting area.
Practice days
If you want to get close to the best — even Tiger Woods — get out on the early weekdays because the crowds are way, way less than you’ll see when they start playing for money. There are estimated tee times and it’s pretty informal, but if Phil Mickelson is supposed to start at 10, you’ll find him on the tee somewhere near that time. Hint: Tiger likes to play very, very early.
Getting autographs
It isn’t easy because the number of fans has made security a problem. The best place and time: the area behind the 9th and 18th greens during the practice rounds.
How to look dumb
• Yell “You da man!”
• Yell “Go in the hole!”
• Wear anything with an Augusta National logo.
• Wear golf shoes.
• When you talk about golfers, don’t use their first name. Eldrick Woods doesn’t have a clue who you are, so you shouldn’t call him “Tiger.”
• Have a beer in your hand and another in your pocket.
• Wear a straw hat — that went out with Greg Norman.
• Have sunscreen smeared all over your face.
• Asking for an autograph is you’re over 10 years old.
• Be sunburned.
How to look slick
• Wear a blazer, not a sweater.
• Wear saddle shoes.
• Don’t go near the ropes — instead, hang back like you really aren’t interested.
• Don’t drink beer outside.
• If you don’t have a parking pass, get a ride with someone who does. Being seen walking from the parking area is very passe.
• Wear a bucket hat.
• Call it the “TPC.” They want you to call it “The Players Championship,” but that’s soooo nouveau.
• Don’t carry a course map/pairing sheet.
• Be overheard discussing which hospitality area you’ll be in after the round.
After the round
When to leave
This can be a problem. Lots of spectators come and go, but many stay for day’s end and want to leave at the same time, plus you have a big contingent of volunteers whose work has finished. The parking area is big but it has a major flaw: limited access to the roads. The smart spectator leaves at least an hour before play is completed.
Where to go after the round
Unless you have access to the clubhouse or the Island Club, you’re pretty limited at the course. There are some public areas but, like a parking pass, it shows that you really aren’t on the inside of things. The in-crowd, including some players, likes the bar at the Homestead. You’ll have trouble getting a table at either Lulu’s or Barbara Jean’s. The fancy restaurants on the south edge of Jacksonville Beach like Roy’s and the Bonefish Grill draw the see-and-be-seen group and the very ritzy set goes to Ruth’s Chris. The place to see players is the lobby at the Marriott (many stay there) or around the bar at Cafe Andiamo.
Where not to go after the round
• Any grungy beach bar.
• Your car for tailgating. This isn’t a Jaguars game.