Fan guide to 2022 Players Championship: How to arrive, what to do, what to eat and drink

The Players Championship is returning to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

The best golfers from around the world will be in town when "The Fifth Major" starts Thursday, March 10. The final round is set for Sunday, March 13.

Here's everything you need to know about the tournament, the events around it and how to get in and around the action.

Last year's champ: Justin Thomas returns to the scene of his biggest 2021 victory — and gets a surprise visit

Parking issues? Parking for The Players Championship sold out for second round, alternative transportation pushed

THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Where: The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass (7,189 yards, par-72; architect, Pete Dye).

When: Practice rounds, March 8-9; competitive rounds March 10-13.

Purse: $20 million ($3.6 million to the winner).

FedEx Cup: 600 points to the winner.

TV: Golf Channel (Thursday-Friday, 12-6 p.m.); NBC (Saturday-Sunday, 1-6 p.m.)

Defending champion: Justin Thomas.

Tournament Schedule

March 8: Practice round, gates open 7:30 a.m. Military Appreciation Day ceremony will begin at the 17th green at 4:30 p.m., followed by a concert by Kelsea Ballerini. All Tuesday tickets are good for admission to the concert.

March 9: Practice round, gates open, 7:30 a.m.

March 10: First round, gates open 6:45 a.m.

March 11: Second round, gates open 6:45 a.m.

March 12: Third round, gates open 7:30 a.m.

March 13: Fourth round, gates open 7:30 a.m.

The Players and the military

The Players debuted a digital ticket process for military members and veterans. Discounted veteran tickets through this allotment are sold out for all days. Complimentary tickets for active duty, retired, reserve and national guard members through this allotment are still available for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Tickets secured through this verification process will include a $20 digital voucher that can be used at any on-site food vendor for food and non-alcoholic beverages.

To obtain military and veteran tickets, visit theplayers.com/tickets and click “Claim Tickets” in the military admission section. Full-price Stadium Pass tickets are still available and can be purchased at THEPLAYERS.com/tickets.

The Patriots’ Outpost, presented by Optum, Morgan Stanley and Grant Thornton, will be near the 16th tee for active duty, retired, reserve, national guard members, veterans and one accompanied dependent. It will offer complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.

The Players Welcome Experience

Presented by Optum, Morgan Stanley and Grant Thornton, with new interactive displays in the Welcome Experience.

Food Court: Firehouse Subs, Homespun Kitchen, The Local, Tropical Smoothie, Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q.

17th Hole Challenge: A replica of the 17th hole where fans can take two free shots at the Island Green or purchase an additional chance for a $5 donation to First Tee — North Florida, Fans can make a $20 donation (or more) for a “First Tee Fast Pass” to bypass the line, take five shots and receive a free sleeve of golf balls. All proceeds will benefit First Tee — North Florida.

The Grove featuring Maestro Dobel Tequila: Maestro Dobel, the official tequila of the PGA TOUR, will offer three signature cocktails, including the Diamante Tee Time. While in the lounge, fans can experience Dobel’s history and hone their tequila knowledge with the brand’s tequila experts.

PGA Tour Fan Shop

Fans either ticketed or not will be allowed to access the Fan Shop the weekend before The Players on Friday, March 4 from 12-5 p.m.; and Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hours of the Fan Shop during tournament week will coincide with gate openings.

Social Media

Follow The Players and coverage at jacksonville.com at the following Twitter feeds: @THEPLAYERSChamp, @PGATOUR, @jaxdotcom, @TimesUnionMedia, @gsmitter, @GeneFrenette and @golfweek.

Tickets

Visit theplayers.com/tickets for all tickets. All ticketing will be mobile and prices may fluctuate, based on demand.

Will Call: Located at 830 A1A North near Larry’s Giant Subs, Ponte Vedra Beach.

Parking and traffic

Parking: The public lot off State Road 210 is $15 Tuesday and Wednesday and $40 per day during the competitive rounds. All parking passes must be purchased at theplayers.com/parking in advance of the tournament day fans are planning to attend. No parking will be sold at the public lot.

Directions: When using GPS, input 5360 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. From the Beaches, take Third Street/A1A South. Go 4 miles past the St. Johns County line and turn right on C.R. 210. The lot is on the right. Fans coming from any location west of the Intracoastal Waterway are advised to take I-95 North or South to Exit 329 (State Road 210) and take Nocatee Parkway. Go 7 miles to a traffic circle and take the third exit onto Palm Valley Road. The lot is 3 miles on the left. The 210/Nocatee Parkway route is the fastest, least congested path to the tournament. Fans are advised to use FDOT’s 511 Traveler Information System for traffic information or by downloading the free Florida 511 mobile app. Fans also can sign up for text, phone or email alerts through FL511.com.

Disabled Guest Services: The Players will provide shuttles for fans with handicapped parking access. Fans must still purchase a parking pass in advance for general parking. Fans with a handicap parking hang tag, as well as a Players parking pass, will be directed to park in a specific part of the general parking lot. From there, golf carts will take them to one of the designated disabled guest services locations on the golf course.

Carts will run from the time gates open until 30 minutes after play ends and will only pick up and drop off from the below designated locations. They will not stray from the official route under any circumstances:

• Behind 16 Green by Couples Gate and The Bier Garden Presented by Hoptinger.

• Behind 17 Tee adjacent to the Welcome Experience and the Food Court

• Players left of 9 Fairway by Wine & Dine on 9.

• Players left of 9 Green by Past Chairman Hospitality.

• Clubhouse area behind 3 Tee

• Players right of 16 Tee

• Players right of 15 Fairway.

If disabled guests need assistance from a location without shuttle access, they should contact any tournament official with a radio.

Downtown shuttles: Shuttles are available from downtown hotels to the TPC Sawgrass for competitive round days March 10-13, from the Jacksonville River City Downtown Hotel, the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront and the Southbank Hotel at Jacksonville Riverwalk for hotel guests and for residents to "park and ride.” All shuttles are climate-controlled motor-coach-style buses and drop fans off right at the main entrance of the tournament.

Shuttle passes are $20 plus applicable taxes and fees and are non-refundable once purchased. Shuttles will operate Thursday through Sunday. Shuttle passengers must pre-purchase passes online and choose their pickup time from the hotel and will be able to return downtown at any of the scheduled return times.

Daily pickup times: Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel (Newnan Street side), 7 a.m.,9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12:45 p.m; Jacksonville River City Downtown Hotel (at the northwest corner of Water and Hogan street), 7:15 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:55 p.m.; Southbank Hotel at Jacksonville Riverfront (In front of the hotel), 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:05 p.m.

Return times: Thursday-Saturday, shuttles will return to the hotels each day leaving TPC Sawgrass at 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. Sunday shuttles will return to the hotels each day leaving TPC Sawgrass at 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m.

Pedal to The Players: The Players is offering complimentary bike parking during the tournament, from the time gates open until end of play. Spectators can ride their bikes to Gate B located inside the Sawgrass Gates off PGA Tour Boulevard in the back of lot 4E only (110 PGA Tour Blvd.). Bike racks are available free of charge. Bike parking is not available in the general parking lot.

Golf cart parking: Complimentary golf cart parking services are offered Tuesday through Sunday at Gate B located inside the TPC Sawgrass Gates off PGA Tour Blvd. (in the same location as bike parking.

Charities of the Day

Beginning on Tuesday, The Players will highlight a charity each day to raise awareness of their impact on the community:

Tuesday, March 8: Northeast Florida Women Veterans — Northeast Florida Women Veterans was founded in 2012 by Retired U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Deloris "Dee" Quaranta, who responded to the needs of women veterans in Northeast Florida. The organization's core mission is to help set the standard for providing personalized care and emergency resources to the women who have served, and continue to serve, our country. It works to ensure that each female veteran has a voice and excels beyond her expectations through programs and services including a resource center to provide support and career services; community events to encourage women veterans to get involved and reintegrate into the community where they live; and advocacy for the challenges and accomplishments of female veterans at the local, state and national level.

Wednesday, March 9: Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind — The school is a tuition-free state public school in historic St. Augustine, available to eligible pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired or deafblind. Early intervention and outreach services are also available throughout the state of Florida. Private donations help to support programs that directly benefit students which are not covered by state funds. In 2021, The Players gave FSDB a charitable contribution that was used to purchase sports equipment for the athletic department.

Thursday, March 10: Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation — Serving as a liaison between St. Vincent’s HealthCare and its most generous family of donors, the Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation provides funding for community healthcare outreach programs across Northeast Florida. These programs, including St. Vincent’s award-winning Mobile Health Outreach Ministry, serve children and families in our area who are struggling most by providing free healthcare, education and hope. The Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation has partnered with The Players since 1994.

Friday, March 11: First Tee — First Tee is a youth development organization that enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022, First Tee has expanded to reach young people in all 50 states and select international locations, including 110,000 youth served locally through First Tee — North Florida.

Saturday, March 12: WeaveTales — WeaveTales is a local Jacksonville organization dedicated to amplifying refugee voices and creating more inclusive communities through the power of storytelling. Shining a light on the often unheard individual experiences of refugees, the organization and its founder, Basma Alawee — a refugee herself — collects, empowers and shares refugee stories to raise awareness of the ongoing crisis and help build bridges across cultural divides within communities.

Sunday, March 13: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida — Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida is helping young people create their own great futures by providing a safe place where they can reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. With more than 50 years serving the Northeast Florida community, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida has expanded to 38 Clubs, serving nearly 3,500 young people every weekday in Duval, St. Johns, and Alachua counties.

Food and Drink options

Taste of JAX: At 11th green/12th tee — Cousins Maine Lobster, Mojo BBQ, ABBQ, Silkie's Chicken & Champagne Bar, Taste of Jax Bar featuring Tito’s at the Turn.

Wine & Dine on 9: Presented by Meiomi Wines along ninth fairway. Includes food from Bonefish Grill and Meiomi Wines, the official wine of the PGA Tour, in a garden setting. Area includes a swing simulator.

Trucks on 10: Along the 10th hole — Twisted Okie BBQ, Mama’s, 904 Burger, Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen, Tikiz, What’s the Catch and open-air Michelob Ultra Mobile bar.

Tacos on 12: On 12th green, featuring food and drink from TacoLu.

Sawgrass Square: By 10th tee, Davis Love III Gate — Mini Bar, 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Daily’s concessions

The Patio: Between 10th tee and 18th green/16th tee — Shaded fan zone with open-air seating and videoboard to keep up with the tournament. V Pizza and Michelob Ultra bar.

Wine Lounge: 8th green, presented by Meiomi Wines.

Bier Garden, presented by Hoptinger: Behind 16th green, near the Couples (rideshare) Gate. Craft beer and bar bites from Hoptinger, a locally-owned bier garden and sausage house.

The Oasis ft. Tito’s Stillhouse Lounge: Near 18th tee, open to ticketholders who are 21 and over. The Oasis is an air-conditioned venue with signature cocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, as well as food and drink available for purchase.

Palm Valley Village: By 9th green featuring BUBBA Burger

The Grove: Behind 17th tee, featuring Maestro Dobel tequila with three signature cocktails.

Other fan amenities

Family Suite presented by Wolfson Children’s Hospital: As part of Baptist’s program as the on-site provider of medical services, the Family Suite will extend their services to attendees of The Players with the venue serving as a comfort station for mothers and fathers to care for their babies and have a comfortable venue as needed during tournament week. The venue is open to all ticketholders and will also be providing diapers free of charge.

Kids Zone presented by Nemours Children’s Health — near 8 green: Open-to-the public featuring activities for kids and families, including a putt-putt event on Saturday, March 12 at 10 a.m.

Morgan Stanley Eagles for Impact — 18 fairway: Open-to-the-public venue where fans are encouraged to stop by to test their putting skills and post for a virtual photo with Justin Rose.

Fan Bleachers presented by TruGreen — 10 tee / 16 tee: Public covered bleachers and deck with views of 16 and 10 with beer, wine and soda available for purchase

Fan Bleachers presented by Daily’s — 12 green / 13 green: Public covered bleachers and deck with views of 12 and 13. Beer, wine and soda are available for purchase.

Spectator Information

COVID-19 policy: The PGA Tour is adhering to state/local mask mandates in effect in its local tournament markets, but absent of a state/local mandate, it will update its PGA TOUR Mask Policy on-site to reflect current CDC guidelines. The PGA Tour adhere to the following mask policy guidelines for all tournaments moving forward. Indoors: Per CDC guidelines, all individuals over the age of 2 are encouraged to wear a mask while indoors or in fully enclosed spaces unless actively eating or drinking. Outdoors: Per CDC Guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a mask outdoors unless otherwise mandated by state or local law or regulations and unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to wear a mask outdoors when they cannot be socially distant or otherwise mandated by state or local law or regulations.

The Players fan code of conduct: Spectators are subject to expulsion and the loss of ticket privileges for the following breaches of etiquette — making rude, vulgar or other inappropriate comments of gestures; verbally or physically harassing players, volunteers, officials or spectators; districting players or any disruption of play; unruly, disruptive, unsafe or illegal behavior; and failing to follow the instructions of tournament officials, volunteers or security personnel.

Autograph policy: Permitted at designated areas near the practice range and scoring at The Perch (the two-story structure behind the 18th green). Autograph requests should not be made of players on the golf course. No memorabilia can be brought into the tournament including pin flags, photos, trading cards, balls and other sports paraphernalia.

Camera/photography policy: Still or video cameras not allowed Thursday through Sunday during the competitive rounds.

Mobile device policy: All devices (smartphones, pads, pagers) must be on silent at all times. Texting is allowed in all areas. Devices may be used to capture video, audio or photos in all areas, but flash is not allowed. Content may be used for personal purposes, such as posting on social media, but not for commercial use. No live streaming or real-time coverage is allowed. Do not ask players to pose for "selfies" outside the autograph areas.

Photography policy: Cameras, either point and shoot, film or DSLR cameras are allowed during Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds, but prohibited the rest of the week. Photography during competitive rounds (Thursday-Sunday) allowed only with mobile phones. No video cameras are allowed all week.

Social media: Fans are encouraged to share their experiences on social media under the photography/video guidelines. Use #THEPLAYERS and mention @THEPLAYERSChamp to see tweets on LED scoreboards throughout the course.

Inclement weather policy: If inclement weather is in the vicinity, spectators will be advised of the appropriate protocols on electronic scoreboards, including guidance about the conditions and the appropriate actions fans should take. Please do not presume that play will be canceled if it rains. Re-entry to the tournament will be allowed following a suspension of play

Outside food policy: The Players allows fans to bring in their own food in a 1 gallon clear, plastic bag where food items are also wrapped in clear wrap. This policy does not allow fans to bring beverages. Filtered drinking water is available in the permanent restrooms near The Patio near the 10th tee, Taste of Jax near 11 green and Wine & Dine on the ninth hole, behind the 16th green.

The Players will allow fans to bring in reusable plastic or metal cups up to 32oz at entries, as long as they are empty upon entry and exit.

Alcohol policy: Alcohol will not be served to anyone under 21 years old. Proof of age is required for anyone younger than 35. Only two drinks are permitted to be purchased at a time. Spectators are not allowed to carry more than two drinks at a time. Subject to delays in play, alcohol sales will end at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Bag policy: Purses and small bags must be 6 by 6 by 6 inches or smaller. Clear bags must be 12 by 6 by 12 inches or smaller. Bags for medical necessities and diaper bags will be allowed but subject to inspection.

Permanent Restrooms and Filtered Water Stations: Near No. 10 tee/No. 16 tee; Wine & Dine on 9 (near No. 5 green/No. 9 fairway); behind 16 green (near The Grove); Taste of JAX (Located behind 11 green and 12 tee).

Remember: THE PLAYERS will allow reusable plastic or metal cups up to 32 oz. at entries, as long as they are empty.

First Aid presented by Baptist Health: 4 tee, Davis Love III entry, 9 tee, 15 tee.

On-site issues: Text 69050 to reach a staff member during the tournament.

Permitted items

• Point and shoot, film or DSLR cameras Tuesday and Wednesday, no cases

• Umbrellas, no sleeves

• Collapsible chairs, no cases

• Binoculars, no cases

• Portable radios with headsets

• Mobile phones or PDAs

• Medically necessary materials

• Infant carrier, diaper bags and other baby supplies (infant must be with the carrier)

• Motorized transportation devices for handicapped persons

• Seat cushions without pockets, without cases

• Reusable plastic or metal cups/bottles that are empty upon entry and exit, and cannot hold more than 32-ounces.

Prohibited items

• Noise-producing devices

• Fireworks or laser pointers

• Coolers or outside beverages

• Folding chair bags

• Backpacks, camera cases, mesh bags, seat cushions, large tote bags, binocular cases

• Weapons of any kind

• Signs, posters or banners

• Pets (except service animals)

• Computers or laptops

• Bicycles, skateboards, mopeds, tricycles

• Drones or other devices that can be operated in airspace

• Selfie sticks

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Players Championship fan guide 2022: Tickets, parking and the party