Hole 16 at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium)

Par 5537 Yards • Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

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Brutal

Hole 16 Caddie Notes

Par 5537y
🎯
Tee Play:Target the 250-yard landing zone where the fairway widens to 36 yards, giving a much safer window than the tighter 31-yard corridor found at 200 yards off the tee.
Approach:With the green measuring just 4548 sq ft (24y x 36y) and classified as small, precise distance control on the approach is essential — favor a shorter, more controlled club into this target.
⚠️
Danger & Miss:A cluster of three bunkers sits at 466.6, 484.3, and 494.1 yards, directly in the layup zone for most players' second shots — plan your lay-up distance to stay short of or well past this trio.
📖Hole Architecture & Course Overview
Stretching 518 yards as the Stadium Course's number-one handicap hole, the 16th at TPC Sawgrass demands respect before golfers ever reach the Island Green drama of 17. This par 5 rewards precision over power, with water lurking down the right side threatening any tee shot pushed off line. A straight, tree-lined corridor funnels play toward a green guarded by four bunkers, leaving little margin for error on the approach. Positioning off the tee dictates everything here—find the correct angle and a mid-iron can attack the pin, but drift right and the water hazard turns a scoring opportunity into disaster. Momentum matters entering the closing stretch, making smart, disciplined play essential before the tension of the island green awaits.
Tees:
537y486y486y470y410y410y
Green:24y × 36y
Fairway @250y:36y wide
6 Bunkers💧 Water
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Detailed Strategy Tips

tee shot

Target the 250-yard landing zone where the fairway widens to 36 yards, giving a much safer window than the tighter 31-yard corridor found at 200 yards off the tee.

hazard warning

A cluster of three bunkers sits at 466.6, 484.3, and 494.1 yards, directly in the layup zone for most players' second shots — plan your lay-up distance to stay short of or well past this trio.

approach

With the green measuring just 4548 sq ft (24y x 36y) and classified as small, precise distance control on the approach is essential — favor a shorter, more controlled club into this target.

hazard warning

Water guards the approach angles on this 518-yard par 5, and per course design notes, positioning off the tee is critical — a poor angle here can cascade into trouble heading into the famous 17th.

tee shot

Given the fairway narrows to only 31 yards wide at the 200-yard mark, players should consider a controlled fairway wood or long iron off the tee to prioritize accuracy over maximum distance.

How to Play This Hole

Off the Tee

Aggressive:Driver
Safe:3-wood

Off the tee, prioritize position over pure distance. This par 5 rewards a ball placed on the correct side of the fairway to open up the angle into the green, so consider laying back with a 3-wood or long iron if it means avoiding trouble rather than chasing extra yards with driver. The water guarding this hole is the defining hazard, and it comes into play more aggressively for players who push too hard off the tee or get greedy on the second shot.

Your approach — whether you're going for the green in two or laying up — should be dictated by the water's location relative to the pin. If you're not fully confident in your numbers, take the conservative route and leave yourself a full, comfortable wedge shot rather than a delicate, awkward yardage. A clean birdie look beats a risky eagle attempt that flirts with a hazard.

Around the green, be mindful of the water's proximity when chipping or pitching; a bold, aggressive short-game shot that runs past the hole can bring the same trouble back into play. Play smart, controlled shots that favor the fat part of the green.

Above all, avoid compounding mistakes. This hole sets up the demanding closing stretch, and a big number here has a way of rattling confidence heading into 17. Make bogey your worst-case scenario, protect your card, and walk to the tee at 17 with a clear head.

Approach Shot

Middle:3-wood
Front:3-wood

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