Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa

At Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, the Atlantic is close by and TPC Sawgrass sits next door, giving a golf break here a clear focus without making every hour about the course. The resort has 508 refurbished rooms, suites and two-bedroom villas, including waterfront guest rooms and villas with living areas, mini-kitchens and a private balcony or patio. It works particularly well for groups who want space to settle in after a round, then move easily between golf, the pool and the beach. The Cabana Beach Club provides direct access to the sand, along with a pool, refreshments and water sports, while Jacksonville International Airport is about 35 minutes away by road.

THE PLAYERS Stadium Course is the round that brings golfers here. Pete Dye’s annual host venue for THE PLAYERS Championship demands disciplined positioning from the tee, with approach angles and water making every decision count. Its par-three 17th is played to the Island Green, a shot that can change the mood of a round in one swing. Dye’s Valley Course offers a useful second test, a par-72 parkland layout where water features on every hole. The fairways are well kept and the greens are broader than those on the Stadium Course, allowing a little more room for recovery, though the bunkering still asks for careful club selection. King & Bear at World Golf Village adds another option nearby, with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus contributing to its design.

After golf, the American Gator Club looks over the Stadium Course’s 13th hole, making it a natural spot for a drink and a view of play still passing by. Alice & Pete’s Pub serves food throughout the day, with billiards and sports screens, while Vernon’s First Coast Kitchen & Bar puts locally sourced ingredients and seafood at the centre of the menu. The Sawgrass Spa has 19 treatment rooms set around the resort lakes, plus a sauna, fitness centre and relaxation areas for an easier-paced afternoon.