Fan enhancements: Give the course a go, watch it while you're there

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- A handful of players were scattered about the driving range and putting green at TPC Sawgrass on Monday, getting an early start on their preparation for THE PLAYERS Championship.

The 16th hole on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. (Condon/PGA TOUR)

Some fans watched the PGA TOUR pros practice, but many others didn't settle for just watching golf. Instead, they were playing Nos. 16, 17 and 18, arguably the three biggest risk-reward holes on the PGA TOUR.

Don't get the wrong idea, though, TPC Sawgrass didn't open the course to fans just three days before the TOUR's signature event. Patrons played mock ups of the holes in Stadium Village, where anyone has a chance to reenact the best shots in tournament history.

Last year, Stadium Village sat behind the famous 17th hole, hidden from view on a gravel lot. This year, the interactive facility is in a can't-miss spot near the clubhouse, the NBC television perch and the 18th green. From the time the gates opened until the late afternoon, fans flocked to the setup.

Full Swing Golf was recruited to create three different virtual scenarios for the 16th hole. The simulators are designed to perfectly mimic Greg Norman's shot from the cart path in 1994, Fred Couples' famous 212-yard approach in 1996 or Davis Love III's blast from the pine straw in 2003.

The 18th hole on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. (Condon/PGA TOUR)

In case fans aren't familiar with these memorable moments, flat screen televisions inside the tent loop old footage. Full Swing Golf scenarios are so lifelike that some TOUR players and celebrities have home theatre systems set up with one of the machines.

"Mark Wilson, a PGA TOUR player, has one in his home. Bill Gates, Michael Jordan, Donald Trump do also, as well as a lot of pro shops, clubhouses (and) high-rise apartment complexes," said Kevin Connors of Full Swing Golf .

The 20-year-old company has 4,000 simulators around the world featuring 60 different courses. The firm hopes to continue expanding its base on the Internet, where fans across the globe can join together for virtual golf tournaments.

For the third consecutive year, UBS is sponsoring the 17th Challenge in Stadium Village. Approximately one-third the size of the actual 17th hole, the UBS 17th Challenge allows fans to hit a shot like the pros onto the famous island green.

If a hole-in-one is made, the lucky participant will receive an iPod Touch. Closest to the pin each day receives a $500 Callaway Gift Card while anyone who hits the green in regulation gets a sleeve of Callaway Golf Balls.

The Stadium TVs available for rent. (Special to PGATOUR.COM)

After fans hit their shot over a lake filled with approximately 90,000 gallons of water, the best scores are recorded on a video board, which will also showcase the television broadcast and LIVE @ THE PLAYERS on PGATOUR.COM. Speaking of the Internet, the participants' swings are videotaped by golf professionals from the PGA TOUR Golf Academy and e-mailed to them.

On to the 18th green, where three spots are marked on the replica. These three locations imitate a title-clenching putt from previous years. If a fan sinks a putt like Adam Scott (the 2004 winner), Fred Funk (2005) or Steve Elkington (1991, 1997), he or she receives a coupon for 15 percent off at the giant Merchandise Tent also located in the Stadium Village.

The newly remodeled Stadium Village is just one of several fan enhancements added to the grounds this year. Another new addition is Stadium TV brought to you by Kangaroo TV, a state-of-the-art handheld device that features a live leaderboard, the NBC television broadcast (headphones are provided so as to not disturb the golfers, of course), LIVE @ THE PLAYERS and weather updates from the course.

The handheld device also has individual scorecards, FedExCup standings, player statistics and a course map detailing the location of restrooms, concession stands and kiosks.

Spectators can rent the electronic device for $25 a day, $45 for the weekend or $75 for all four tournament days.

If your weekend plans involve a trip to THE PLAYERS, you'd better snatch up one of the Stadium TV devices quickly. Only 2,000 are available to the public.

In case you miss out on renting one of the handheld devices, however, you can borrow a complimentary XM radio available near the tournament entrance and Stadium Village. Tune into XM 146 (the PGA TOUR network) and stake out a spot near one of the gigantic video monitors on the course or in the Stadium Village to catch all the action.

Or, you might just want to follow your favorite player.