Beyond the 17th Hole: Exploring Sawgrass Resort's Hidden Gems

Golf Travel Tips, Golf Travel Ideas, Florida, Sawgrass, Jacksonville, St. Augustine

Sawgrass Resort is without a doubt most famous for its signature hole, the par-3 17th, known as the Island Green, which is one of the most recognizable and challenging holes in golf. The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass was built in 1980 and became the permanent home of the fifth major. Working with acclaimed golf course architect Pete Dye, commissioner Deane Beman created a design that favored no particular style of play, which resulted in a balanced layout.

However, this amazing destination has a lot more to offer to players and guests alike when it comes to hidden gems. Sawgrass Resort is proud to call the breathtaking Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, home. The area provides the perfect mix of small-town charm and big-city sophistication. Renowned for its outdoor ambiance, the community features miles of white sandy beaches that provide year-round opportunities to enjoy the Floridian sunshine and a wide range of water sports.

The nearby city of Jacksonville offers visitors countless attractions, including:

• The Cummer Museum of Art: established in 1958, it's the largest fine arts museum in Northeast Florida
• The Museum of Science and History: it inspires the joy of learning by bringing to life the sciences
• The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: this huge park is the only zoo in Northeast Florida and has over 2,000 animals and 1,000 plants

To make your visit even more pleasant, the town of St. Augustine offers a great opportunity to walk the cobblestone streets and the old town where early Spanish settlers lived centuries ago. While you're in the area, you can visit the 17th Century Castillo de San Marco and the San Sebastian Winery for a memorable experience. If you're into shopping, the city has one of the nation's largest outlet malls and is host to the World Golf Village.

Unwind and Take a Well-Deserved Break at Sawgrass Resort's Luxurious Spa

The spa at Sawgrass Resort is a tranquil oasis hidden among the oaks and palm trees. With a wide range of treatments, it's the ideal place where you can relax after a round of golf. From massages and facials to manicures, pedicures, and reflexology, they have it all. Nestled amid mesmerizing natural landscapes, the spa at Sawgrass Resort is a true haven of serenity. Their modern facility includes a steam room, a whirlpool, an outdoor pool, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

You and your golf buddies or family can keep up with your fitness journey at any time in the 24-hour fitness center, which boasts the following equipment and more:

• Cardiovascular equipment
• Free weights
• Strength equipment

The spa therapists at Sawgrass Resort provide a wide range of services, including massage therapy, hydrotherapy, body wraps, reflexology, and skincare. Their Signature Sawgrass Massage is a great blend of massage modalities such as the relaxation of Swedish, the therapeutic release of Deep Tissue techniques on back, neck, and shoulder muscles, as well as the heat of warm basalt massage stones. Finally, you can also enjoy the Biotec Radiance Renew Facial Treatment at this fantastic spa center, which uses ultrasonic peel with vibrational energy to exfoliate dead skin cells.

Relish a Delicious Meal at Sawgrass Resort's Exquisite Dining Places

If you're in the mood for a tasty, unforgettable meal, you can choose your dining experience from outdoors to indoors during your stay at Sawgrass Resort. Their culinary team has mastered the art of local fare and American classic dishes with a twist. With eight on-site dining options, their culinary team can accommodate families, couples, and groups. These are just some of the dining places you can choose from:

• Vernon's First Coast Kitchen & Bar: this farm-to-table restaurant features stunning resort views and is a great place to enjoy breakfast, dinner, or craft cocktails
• American Gator Club: Florida's indigenous wildlife is on full display at this relaxed restaurant, overlooking the lagoon and the 13th hole at the Players Stadium Course
• Sharkey's Café: if you want to enjoy a laid-back ambiance and delicious American cuisine, this place serves up burgers, sandwiches, and drinks
• Alice & Pete's Pub: relish tempting appetizers, entrees, and desserts at this lovely restaurant, where you can also watch your favorite sport or try your hand at a game of pool

If we've sparked your interest in playing golf at TPC Sawgrass and exploring this superb destination, check out two of our best deals for Sawgrass golf packages below!

Reconnect with Nature by Hiking the Picturesque Nature Trails in Jacksonville

Whether you're getting ready to hike, trail run, bike, or explore other outdoor activities, there are plenty of options in Jacksonville. Hiking has a plethora of health benefits, in addition to offering you a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city, such as building stronger muscles and bones, improving your heart health, decreasing the risk of some respiratory problems, and improving your sense of balance. A good sense of balance is essential when trying to master your game as a golfer.

Here are some of the best nature trails in the city that are truly hidden gems:

• Hanna Park South Trail: this loop trail is usually considered an easy route and is also a very popular area for mountain biking, so you'll most likely encounter other people while exploring
• Julington Durbin Creek Preserve Yellow and White Loop: this is a popular trail for horseback riding, mountain biking, and walking, but you can enjoy some solitude during quieter times
• Gopher Tortoise Ridge and Big Cypress Loop: this is the perfect trail for birding, hiking, and running, but you'll need to leave your pups at home, as dogs aren't allowed

The Takeaway

While Sawgrass Resort is best known for the championship golf courses it features, the nearby area has a lot to offer to visitors who want to engage in other activities besides this challenging game. From exploring the beautiful nature trails to relishing a fine meal, you can have a truly unforgettable experience at Sawgrass Resort in Florida!