It may be too easily overshadowed by its more famous and fancier sibling course, but the TPC Valley Course at Sawgrass is well deserving of its own merits. This golf vacation destination has its own brand of excellence in golfing play that could only be best described as laidback in the Stadium Course’s standards. But this should not be at all taken lightly. It may be an easier, more relaxed counterpart of the other Sawgrass course, but it is still a Pete Dye handiwork. And not just Dye – Bobby Weed worked on it too, with the Jerry Pate as its player consultant. There is nothing mediocre in that combination of geniuses.

The TPC Valley Course measures some several hundred yards shorter than Stadium at 6,864 yards, playing for a par of 72. But its features are never short of fun and yes, challenging. The golf vacation favorite is characterized by water playing on each of its 18 holes, and deep bunkering, on top of impeccably manicured greens. Golfers would have to battle the many palmettos, pines, and palm trees dotted all over the course.

And while the Stadium Course hosts the famous THE PLAYERS Tournament, the TPC Valley Course has its own roster of championship tournaments in its name. It is the Home of the Nationwide Tour’s Winn Dixie Jacksonville Open, and has in the past played host to such memorable tournaments as the Seniir Players Championship, NFL Golf Classic, and the final stage of the Senior Qualifying School. It could also boast of its own merits, including being listed as the #9 Course in the State of Florida by Golfweek Magazine, on top of being a favorite golf trip destination by countless golfers who want to experience one of Pete Dye’s best creations.