A golf fan's survival guide to Ponte Vedra Beach

text size

What do you know about Ponte Vedra Beach?

It's the home of THE PLAYERS? Well, sure, but that's not all that happens in this north Florida beach town. The PGA TOUR made its headquarters in a beautiful spot, and when it comes to golf, the location doesn't get much better.

Every season, thousands of people head to Ponte Vedra for the PGA TOUR's premier event. With the best field in the game, it's a golf fan's dream. But what to do when you're not out at the Stadium Course yelling "Get in the hole" or "You da man"? Well, here are some other ways you can immerse yourself in golf 24/7 this week in PVB:

PLAYING: It's all about the game

Cross TPC Sawgrass off your list because no matter how charming you are, you're not going to talk your way into a tee time with Phil or Tiger this week. But if you do have time to hit the links, there are plenty of other top-notich options in the area. Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Ponte Vedra Beach's first golf course was established in 1928 when the area was little more than ocean, dunes, swamps and alligators. The resort offers two 18-hole courses: The Ocean Course and the Lagoon Course, both of which have been enhanced by the hands of Robert Trent Jones. Located a chip shot from the Atlantic, the Ponte Vedra Club is a luxurious resort and spa and well worth putting on your visit list. Sawgrass Country Club Host to THE PLAYERS Championship from 1977 to 1981, Sawgrass Country Club has long been entangled in championship golf. Located just across the street from the new home of THE PLAYERS, Sawgrass Country Club is still a part of the competitive golfing landscape. The club hosts an annual NCAA Men's Division I Invitational as well as FSGA and USGA state and national events each year. A 27-hole course, Sawgrass Country Club stretches out along the beach and isn't a track for those who are afraid to get their ball wet. The Club also recently added its $7 million, 24,000 square-foot Beach Club for dining and relaxation post-round. King & Bear The first -- and only -- course collaboration by PGA TOUR legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, the King & Bear is about 25 minutes from Ponte Vedra Beach in St. Augustine, Fla., at the World Golf Village. A stunning course set among towering pines and 200-year-old live oaks, the King & Bear tests your game across 7,279 yards and is just down the road from ... ... Slammer & Squire The World Golf Village's other course is a collaboration between Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen, who were course consultants for the course's architect Bobby Weed. Shorter than the King & Bear, this course offers many challenging par 3s in a wooded, wetland environment.

DINING: The 19th hole

Who says golf has to stop after the last putt has fallen? In Ponte Vedra, you don't have to leave the game behind because you can't play on an empty stomach. Bogey Grille In the heart of Ponte Vedra Beach just off A1A, this local favorite is a sports bar with a twist. Yes, you can catch your basketball and your NASCAR here, but golf is the teacher's pet, and the dcor shows it. Almost a tribute to THE PLAYERS Championship and the many golfers who have made their homes in PVB, the walls at Bogey Grille are adorned with memorabilia from names like Fred Funk, Rocco Mediate and Jim Furyk as well as local Nease football star, University of Florida's Heisman-winning, national champion quarterback Tim Tebow. It's not golf, but it's still pretty cool. The food's not bad either. Bogey's has your standard sports bar fare -- nachos, onion rings, burgers, fries and wings -- but it's a coastal spot, so you'll also find ahi tuna, oysters, mahi mahi and more. Players Café During PLAYERS week, this breakfast and lunch restaurant gets more crowded than last week's Quail Hollow Championship leaderboard, so get there early to avoid the wait. It is worth the wait, though, if you don't. Minutes from the Solana Road entrance to TPC Sawgrass, the Players Café serves up breakfast and lunch beach-style in a caricature-covered, classic diner setting. If you see a guy drinking coffee there bright and early who looks like Judge Smails, he's not part of the atmosphere ... that's just my husband's grandfather, and you better get your foot off his boat. Murray Bros. Caddy Shack Eat, drink and be "Murray" at the World Golf Village's popular dining and watering hole. Taking its theme from ... do we really need to tell you? ... the Caddy Shack is the creation of the six Murray brothers and serves up American food in a whimsical atmosphere that Carl Spackler would be proud of. Dig in to the greenskeeper steak, the caddy primavera or the chicken breast sandwedge for the best of golf grub. Then head over to the shop and pick up Spaulding's hat to prove that you "got nothing and liked it."

ACTIVITIES: Golf, golf and more golf

Had your fill yet? Of course not. Sample the golf courses, sample the dinner courses and then move on to the miscellaneous. World Golf Hall of Fame St. Augustine's golf hotspot doesn't just offer playing time and eating time; it offers the history of the game. Visit the Hall of Fame and follow golf's journey from gutta perchas and featheries to the era of Tiger Woods. It's a comprehensive study of Scotland's royal game right up until this very moment. Don't forget to check out the trophy room on the top floor; not only can you see replicas of all the most sought-after hardware, there's also a fantastic view of the World Golf Village complex. Linque Check out Jacksonville's indoor golf facility -- Linqe. It features three state-of-the-art simulators, a full-sized putting green and a climate-controlled driving range. The simulators include 56 course options -- like St. Andrews or Pebble Beach -- and are the most popular attraction at Linqe. It's also the ideal spot to meet friends or clients for dinner and drinks -- there's a restaurant and bar with a tasty new menu, plus the flat-screen TVs are always tuned to the GOLF CHANNEL or a big game.

SHOPPING: Dress for the job you want

Last but never least, a golfer's vacation is not complete unless the trip home includes figuring out where to put that bag of golf swag. From divot tools to drivers, put these shopping stops on your course map. TOUR Stop A two-story wonderland, this mammoth store won't disappoint. Located at the World Golf Village, it's pretty hard to miss and has everything but the secret to the game on its shelves. Mattiace Golf Yes, that Mattiace -- well Len's brother actually -- has a store in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., just down the road from TPC Sawgrass off A1A. Club fitting, instruction, club repair, apparel and more are available at this local store. Edwin Watts Golf This national golf superstore has four locations in the Jacksonville area. Established in 1968, Edwin Watts has been in the business of pleasing golfers a long time, and nothing has changed. PGA TOUR Store If you flew to Ponte Vedra for THE PLAYERS, then you'll have one last chance to make a purchase before you leave town. The PGA TOUR Shop at Jacksonville International Airport is PGA TOUR affiliated and often carries merchandise that you can't get elsewhere.

All golfed out? Then head to the beach. At the very least, it's a great place to work on your sand saves.