Hole 9 at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium)
Par 5 • 601 Yards • Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Hole 9 Caddie Notes
📖Hole Architecture & Course Overview▼
Custom Digital Yardage & Strategy Packet — TPC Sawgrass (Stadium)
Hand-crafted 18-hole strategy & yardage packet tailored for your upcoming round at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium). Includes high-resolution 2D vector hole plots, green contour notes, hazard targets, and caddie advice.
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Detailed Strategy Tips
The fairway narrows to just 28 yards wide at the 200-yard mark, making a straight, well-placed tee shot essential to avoid the rough on this 592-yard par 5.
Longer hitters who can carry the ball past 250 yards will find the fairway opens up to 37 yards wide, rewarding aggressive drives with more margin for error.
Three bunkers cluster tightly around the green complex at 575.6, 588.4, and 596.3 yards, so second and third shots must account for this dense hazard zone protecting the putting surface.
With a small green measuring only 22 by 30 yards (3,018 sq ft), precise distance control on the approach is critical—favor shorter irons with predictable spin over long approach shots.
Given the 592-yard length and bunker cluster starting around 575 yards, most players should plan a conservative layup on the second shot to leave a clean wedge into the small green, avoiding the trio of bunkers guarding the approach.
How to Play This Hole
Off the Tee
Off the tee at Hole 9, favor control over distance. The water running down the right side is the defining hazard here, so a smart play is a 3-wood or long iron aimed toward the left-center of the fairway, giving yourself a buffer from the hazard while still setting up a reasonable second shot. Avoid overcooking a draw that drifts back toward the water — a fade or straight ball flight is the safer shape.
For your approach, treat this as a true three-shot par 5 unless you're extremely confident. Laying up to a comfortable yardage in the fairway, away from the water's edge, sets up a full-swing wedge into the green rather than a knuckleball punch shot. Going for the green in two only makes sense if your tee ball finds the fairway and you have a clean look — otherwise the risk of a big number outweighs the reward.
Around the green, be mindful of the bunkers guarding the putting surface; short-siding yourself here makes up-and-down much tougher. Take extra club on chips from thick rough surrounding the green to ensure you carry any bunker lips cleanly.
Above all, respect the water right and the trouble that comes with an aggressive line. Play for the fat part of the fairway and the center of the green, and let a two-putt par be your default plan — birdies will come naturally when you're not scrambling from trouble.
Approach Shot
Hole 9 Green Complex & Slope
USGS 3DEP LiDAR DEM Green Elevation Analysis
Custom Digital Yardage & Strategy Packet — TPC Sawgrass (Stadium)
Hand-crafted 18-hole strategy & yardage packet tailored for your upcoming round at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium). Includes high-resolution 2D vector hole plots, green contour notes, hazard targets, and caddie advice.
Delivered directly to your inbox within 24 hours of purchase.
Detailed Strategy Tips
The fairway narrows to just 28 yards wide at the 200-yard mark, making a straight, well-placed tee shot essential to avoid the rough on this 592-yard par 5.
Longer hitters who can carry the ball past 250 yards will find the fairway opens up to 37 yards wide, rewarding aggressive drives with more margin for error.
Three bunkers cluster tightly around the green complex at 575.6, 588.4, and 596.3 yards, so second and third shots must account for this dense hazard zone protecting the putting surface.
With a small green measuring only 22 by 30 yards (3,018 sq ft), precise distance control on the approach is critical—favor shorter irons with predictable spin over long approach shots.
Given the 592-yard length and bunker cluster starting around 575 yards, most players should plan a conservative layup on the second shot to leave a clean wedge into the small green, avoiding the trio of bunkers guarding the approach.
How to Play This Hole
Off the Tee
Off the tee at Hole 9, favor control over distance. The water running down the right side is the defining hazard here, so a smart play is a 3-wood or long iron aimed toward the left-center of the fairway, giving yourself a buffer from the hazard while still setting up a reasonable second shot. Avoid overcooking a draw that drifts back toward the water — a fade or straight ball flight is the safer shape.
For your approach, treat this as a true three-shot par 5 unless you're extremely confident. Laying up to a comfortable yardage in the fairway, away from the water's edge, sets up a full-swing wedge into the green rather than a knuckleball punch shot. Going for the green in two only makes sense if your tee ball finds the fairway and you have a clean look — otherwise the risk of a big number outweighs the reward.
Around the green, be mindful of the bunkers guarding the putting surface; short-siding yourself here makes up-and-down much tougher. Take extra club on chips from thick rough surrounding the green to ensure you carry any bunker lips cleanly.
Above all, respect the water right and the trouble that comes with an aggressive line. Play for the fat part of the fairway and the center of the green, and let a two-putt par be your default plan — birdies will come naturally when you're not scrambling from trouble.
Approach Shot
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this par 5 be reached in two?
At 592 yards, A true three-shot hole for most players. Position your layup to leave a comfortable wedge distance.
How difficult is hole 9?
This hole is one of the tougher holes on the course for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 5, water in play, heavily bunkered, small green.
What hazards should I watch out for on hole 9?
Key hazards include: 5 greenside bunkers; water at 349.5 yards. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.
How big is the green on hole 9?
The green is small and requires precision. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.
What's a good score on hole 9?
This hole is a true three-shot hole where birdie requires execution. This longer par 5 demands patience. Two good shots set up the scoring opportunity.
Can I practice hole 9 on a golf simulator at home?
Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for TPC Sawgrass (Stadium). You can play this exact par 5 shot-by-shot at home. Entry-level options like the SkyTrak+ (around $2,500) and Garmin Approach R10 (around $600) support course play, while premium systems from Trackman and Foresight offer tour-level accuracy. Most systems pay for themselves in a season or two versus green fees and range balls. Shop home golf simulators →
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Hole Stats
- Par
- 5
- Yardage
- 601 yds
- Green
- 3018 sq ft
- Bunkers
- 7
- Water
- Yes
- Course Slope
- 155
- Course Rating
- 76.8
Recommended Gear
A dependable fairway wood can turn this par 5 into a real birdie chance.
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Free Weekly NewsletterWeekly course debuts, PGA Tour tournament previews, caddie strategy notes, and hole deep-dives by Sloane.
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