PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla — Every year, THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass does something different. And for its 50th anniversary, the tournament not only is rolling out a new way to experience the course, but a way to educate people about the 50 years of history that’s happened on the tee box by using virtual reality.
What’s new to THE PLAYERS this year is their “Tour Through Time” experience where spectators can go back in time just by scanning a QR code to see the historical moments thanks to augmented reality. By simply scanning QR codes around the course, you can see through your phone screen what historical golf moment happened there.
In addition, there are other interactive sites that allow spectators to try out vintage putters.
And it shows how much not just the tournament but the game golf has changed over the past 50 years.
“Wooden clubs back then like the difference between the technology from now to back then it’s just like crazy like the amount of advancement that’s gone with golf is mind boggling,” said Matthew Swaine, a high school golfer from Jacksonville.
While the PLAYERS championship shows off the best in golf, its still a place to go if you're new to the game.
It also has the reputation of being one of the biggest parties on the first coast, and if this is your first time coming to the players championship, you do way more than just watch golf.
Throughout the course at Sawgrass, you have opportunities to swing a club and see if you can handle the island green like hole 17.
All throughout the course there are different hubs for activities or food, so use this as an opportunity to try new restaurants and vendors spread throughout the holes.
“Just coming to watch a little bit of golf. I think the great thing about the stadium course here at TPC Sawgrass is there’s a lot of natural amphitheaters for you to get a good perspective of the golf grab a meal sit on the side of the hill and really just have a good time,” TPC Executive Director Lee Smith explained.
With this, being a family friendly event, there’s things for people of all ages to do other than cheer for a good shot.
But what makes people coming back is the atmosphere full of excitement to see who will come up on top.
“This is a great time how can you not enjoy watching actual live golf happen and you get all these fun experiences as well,” TPC Volunteer Lennyn Garcia said.
If you’re new to the PLAYERS championship, volunteers' biggest piece of advice is to come early not only to get to your parking spot, but to avoid sitting in traffic on A1A. Organizers anticipate the crowds to be larger over the course of the weekend.
With parking passes sold out for Friday and Saturday, TPC staff recommends taking advantage of their ride share programs, shuttles and bike paths to join them for the tournament’s 50th anniversary.
And even if you don't plan on crossing into sawgrass, drivers beware of traffic caused by spectators.