JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
Golf Lives Here
Jacksonville is the rare city where golf feels less like a pastime and more like the local language—spoken on traffic reports, bar‑top TVs, and Monday‑morning small talk. The climate is warm, the beaches are close, and every road seems to bend toward a fairway.
That identity crystallized in 1982 when TPC Sawgrass first hosted THE PLAYERS Championship, but it shifted into overdrive in 2021 with the opening of the PGA TOUR’s Global Home and, a few years later, its adjacent PGA TOUR Studios media building. Together they form a gleaming glass gateway to Ponte Vedra Beach, broadcasting the First Coast’s palm‑framed fairways to 200 countries and 800 million households every season.
The Nerve Center: PGA TOUR Global Home & PGA TOUR Studios
Step inside the three‑story atrium, and it’s impossible not to feel the sport’s pulse. Over 800 employees oversee everything from agronomy guidelines to charitable initiatives. The facility features more than 100 meeting spaces, a fitness center, a dining area and cafe, an indoor golf simulator, and more.
A short cart ride next door sits the new PGA TOUR Studios, a 165,000‑sq‑ft studio hub where those tracer‑lines, hugely popular Netflix show “Full Swing” confessionals, and 300 social‑media clips per week are stitched together. PGA TOUR Studios features eight production rooms, eight audio control rooms and seven LED-outfitted studios, including a 270-degree LED display in Studio 1A.
In practical terms, that means Ponte Vedra now welcomes a rotating cast of broadcasters, swing gurus, and star players twelve months a year—so don’t be shocked if you find yourself waiting in line behind Åberg for a latte at Bold Bean Coffee Roasters.
Spring's Fifth Major
As golf’s global headquarters represents its strategic center, THE PLAYERS Championship embodies its passionate core. Every March THE PLAYERS pumps an estimated $151 million into local businesses and charities while drawing 40‑plus of the world’s top‑50 golfers. Locals treat tournament week like Mardi Gras with better turf conditioning: people queue up by the 17th‑hole bulkhead, corporate chalets bloom along the Stadium Course, and upscale pop‑ups such as The Grove transform Ponte Vedra Boulevard into a coastal promenade. The residual energy persists long after the trophy lift—which explains why so many amateurs schedule their buddy‑trips here in the months that follow.
Where the Pros Go to Play
With dozens of top-tier courses packed into a single city, Jacksonville can feel overwhelming to even the most seasoned golfer. Do you chase history at TPC Sawgrass or go for ocean views at PVIC? The options are world-class, but the logistics can get tricky.
That’s why we put together a curated four-day itinerary that blends iconic courses with local flavor. While the order and number of days are flexible, the current sequence optimizes travel time and pairs each course’s character with a complementary dining experience.
4‑Day “First Coast Fairways” Plan
| Day | Morning Round | Afternoon/Alt-Play | Après‑Golf & Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course | Guided storyteller tour through TPC Sawgrass’s trophy & history room | Restaurant Medure: Seasonal haute-Florida with an extensive wine list |
| Friday | The Yards | Rooftop golf simulations at Travis Fulton Golf downtown | The Argyle at the Yards: Chef-driven Southern-coastal menu with views of the green |
| Saturday | Atlantic Beach Country Club | Gear stop at cult‑favorite REX Golf Shop | Eleven South: Destination for elegant dining delivers sophisticated New American fare |
| Sunday | Ponte Vedra Inn & Club – Ocean Course | PVIC spa session or beach cabana | Nineteen: Award-winning cuisine and craft cocktails with stunning patio views |
For a more exclusive and private golfing experience, consider Frederica Golf Club, Timicuana Country Club or Pablo Creek Club.
Notable Mention: Glen Kernan
Still have some extra time on your hands and looking for more? Glen Kernan Golf Club is worth a visit. This exclusive private club is currently undergoing a major course renovation, making it one of the most anticipated updates in the region. Even better? You don’t just have to play here—you can live here.
Terra is building a new custom home on Swilcan Bridge Lane, right inside the gates of Glen Kernan’s golf community. It’s a rare opportunity to own in a neighborhood that blends refined living with everyday access to the game—all in a quiet, well-connected corner of Jacksonville. With easy access to the club, proximity to Jacksonville’s top private schools, and a short drive from beaches, dining, and downtown, Glen Kernan offers the kind of lifestyle you could get used to.
Beyond the Fairways: Where Golf Culture Lives
In Jacksonville, golf doesn’t clock out at the 18th hole—it follows you to dinner, into your wardrobe, and even onto your podcast queue.
Live Forever Golf, a locally-founded brand started by a group of passionate players (some of whom still call the First Coast home), has become something of a uniform among the in-the-know crowd. You’ll spot their understated, performance-driven polos and hats on carts from Sawgrass to South Hampton. Their ethos is simple: keep it light, keep it local, and don’t take yourself too seriously—unless it’s about your short game.
If you’re into golf style with personality, check out Del Campo Golf, a Jacksonville-based sock company making waves (and bold patterns). Their designs are fun, their quality is top-tier, and they’re a favorite among both weekend warriors and pros.
To go even deeper into the Jacksonville golf scene, fire up a few episodes of “Straight Down the Middle-ish,” a podcast hosted by pro golfer turned local real estate insider Aron Price. Price, who has helped more than a dozen touring pros find homes in the area, brings a laid-back but sharp perspective on what it means to live—and play—here full-time. His insight isn’t just entertaining; it’s a window into the community.
Where the Lifestyle Meets the Listings
That golf-first lifestyle doesn’t have to end when the weekend does. In fact, for many residents, it never does.
Ponte Vedra Beach boasts highly desirable golf course communities along the East Coast, and Terra currently features several exceptional properties in the vicinity. From Solana Road to Emma Lane, our homes are nestled within close proximity from fairways like TPC Sawgrass, PVIC, and The Yards.
Whether you’re chasing morning tee times or sunset rounds, these neighborhoods offer the convenience and charm that turn a short-term visit into something more permanent. Add in top-rated schools, upscale dining, and access to world-class spa amenities, and it’s clear why so many players—pros and amateurs alike—choose to call Ponte Vedra home. For golf lovers, the best getaway could just become your everyday.
