Perhaps Georgia golf has contributed to the history of golf in the U.S. as much as any other state. In 1794 the second oldest club in the U.S., the Savannah Golf Club, opened in Georgia. Of course, the famous East Lake Golf Course in Atlanta was the home of Bobby Jones, who went on to become one of America’s greatest golfing legends. East Lake now hosts The Tour Championship, the season ending finale for the PGA. Jones founded the Augusta National Golf Club, where The Masters® Golf Tournament is played annually - the only major golf tournament to be played at the same site each year. The TPC at Sugarloaf in Duluth hosts the annual AT&T Classic, a regular event on the pro tour. The tradition that is Georgia golf, Georgia’s climate, and its superlative golf courses make it a golfer’s heaven. The terrain of Georgia creates a variety of courses across the state to choose from – lake, plains, beach, and mountain courses. Some of the courses are rated among the top courses in the world.


Ritz Carlton Golf Course on Lake Oconee: Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development

Golf Digest has rated The Lake Country area that borders the Historic Heartland and Classic South regions as one of the top 50 golf destinations in the world. Reynolds Plantation hosts five world-class, championship golf courses, including highly rated The Plantation and the Great Waters Course, a Jack Nicklaus designed masterpiece. You can also get top golf instructions at the Dave Pelz Golf Academy and stay at the five-star resort hotel, The Ritz Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation.



Reynolds Plantation on lake Oconee: Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development


Nearby is the Golf Club at Cuscowilla, named “Best Golf Club in Georgia – 2006” by the National Golf Course Owners Association and consistently rated as a top golf resort by top golf magazines.


Golf Club at Cuscowilla: Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development

Brunswick and the Golden Isles area is home to 198 holes of championship golf. The Seaside Course at the Sea Island Golf Club is a Golf Digest top 100, and the 54 holes at Sea Island Resort was voted #1 among all golf resorts in North America by Golf Digest. Other good courses in the area that are also good bargains include: The Brunswick Country Club, Coastal Pines Golf Club, Oak Grove Island Golf Club, and the Jekyll Island Golf Club. You can stay at the King & Prince Beach & Golf Resort and play beautiful The Hampton Club course.


Aerial View of Golf Course on St. Simons Island: Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development

Savannah has 30 golf courses within 30 minutes of the city. The Club at Savannah has been rated a top 60 golf resort. Southbridge Golf Club is a local Savannah favorite that I can attest to as a real challenge. The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resprt & Spa features an impeccable Troon-managed golf course along the marshes.

Other coastal gems include: Laurel Island Links near Kingsland, Sanctuary Cove at St. Andrews Sound, and the highly acclaimed Sapelo Hammock Golf Club in Shellman Bluff, which overlooks the Sapelo River.


Jekyll Island Golf Course: Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development

For golfers looking for economy and value, several of Georgia’s state parks have very good courses. The owner of this website has played the Wallace Adams Golf Course at Little Ocmulgee State Park near McRae many times. My foursome has spent 4-5 days there every January for the last 15 years and played 36-45 holes a day. In the evening we go back to our cabin and cook on the grill overlooking the lake. Quite a golf trip for about $300-$400 per person!


Wallace Adams Golf Course: Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development

The Creek Golf Course at Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge is a hilly and scenic golf course that you are sure to enjoy.


Hard Labor Creek Golf Course: Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development

Other state parks with golf course include:
Brazells Creek Golf Course at Gordonia-Alatamaha near Reidsville
Highland Walk at Victoria Bryant State Park near Royston
Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course at Richard B. Russell State Park near Elberton
Meadow Links Golf Course at George T. Bagby State Park near Fort Gaines
The Lakes Golf Course at Laura S. Walker State Park near Waycross


Brasstown Valley Golf Course: Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development

In the mountains of Georgia you can find a real gem at Brasstown Valley Golf Club, which is considered the crown jewel for Denis Griffith-designed courses and one of the best in the country.


Just south of Atlanta lies another outstanding golf resort, Callaway Gardens. The superbly designed and meticulously maintained courses feature woodland borders and lakeland settings. The famous Mountain View course is ranked among the nation's top-rated courses by Golf Digest and Golf magazines, and served as the site of the PGA Tour's Buick Challenge for more than a decade. The layout for our original course, Lake View, was inspired by founder Cason Callaway who believed that playing golf should be a pleasant experience in beautiful surroundings.


Callaway Gardens Golf Course: Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development

Just northeast of Atlanta are two outstanding venues, Chateau Elan and Lake Lanier Islands. All of the courses at these two resorts are great designs and very beautiful tracts.


Lake Lanier Golf Course: Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development


From a one-day golf outing to a week-long golf vacation, you can plan an outstanding trip. To view a selection of golf courses by region, click the links below:
Atlanta Metro Golf Courses
Classic South Golf Courses
Georgia Coast Golf Courses
Historic Heartlands Golf Courses
Historic High Country Golf Courses
Magnolia Midlands Golf Courses
Northeast Georgia Mountains Golf Courses
Plantation Trace Golf Courses
Presidential Pathways Golf Courses