Georgia has hundreds of golf courses in the state. When you’re in the area, you want to go to all the best courses. These 12 golf courses are the best of the best in the state and are sure to give you a challenge.
1. Augusta National Golf Club
Access: Private
Site: augustacountryclub.co
Green Fee: $525
Stay and Play Package: No stay and play packages are available
Augusta National Golf Club is hard to get into, as you have to be a member or a guest. However, it’s well worth the visit if you get the chance. There are design elements from people such as Alister Mackenzie, Bobby Jones, Perry Maxwell, Trent Jones, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Fazio. All of the unique designs from each of these famous golf designers lead to a pretty unique course.
One reason why Agusta is so unique is due to its constant course upgrades. In order to stay challenging and keep it a competitive setting for the Masters Tournament, the courses are changed rather often. The holes are generally lengthened or more hazards are added when changes occur.
2. Peachtree Golf Club
Access: Private
Site: peachtreecountryclub.com
Green Fee: $26.50
Stay and Play Package: No stay and play packages are available
Peachtree Golf Club was a course well before its time. Bobby Jones and Robert Trent Jones came together to create a course 7,200 yards long. While this is the standard now, in 1947, that was considered pretty long. It also had wider greens and some of the longest sets of tees in America at the time.
Despite being an older golf course, there’s a lot to enjoy for the modern golfer. It has gorgeous scenery to keep you enjoying the course all year round. It also has a simple but difficult layout that allows golfers to challenge themselves every time.
3. University of Georgia Golf Course
Access: Open to the public
Site: golfcourse.uga.edu
Green Fee: $23 to $70
Stay and Play Package: No stay package is available
While most golf courses are known for being expensive or hidden behind high membership fees and secrecy, the University of Georgia Golf Course is known for being affordable. Anyone can play the course, and there are heavy discounts for students and faculty members.
Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed the original course. In 2006, the course was heavily renovated by Davis Love III. Since then, it’s been near the top of Georgia’s golf courses. It’s also the only golf course in Athens open to the public.
4. Ohoopee Match Club
Access: Private
Site: ohoopeematchclub.com
Green Fee: Green fees aren’t listed. Membership fees are $150,000 to get golfing privileges
Stay and Play Package: No stay and play packages are available
The Ohoopee Match Club actually has two courses. There’s the Whiskey Course which is great and a nice and easy course to start out. However, the course worth the membership fee is the Championship course. It’s 18 holes and offers plenty of challenges.
The course stands out from other courses due to its unique match-play format. The course was designed by Gil Hanse. The course opened in 2018 and is incredibly exclusive, as it is invite-only. In addition to the golf course, there are many other unique features and benefits.
5. East Lake
Access: Private
Site: eastlakegolfclub.com
Green Fee: No green fees are listed. Membership is $125,000
Stay and Play Package: No stay and play packages are available
East Lake Golf Club has been around since 1904. It’s located in Atlanta, Georgia. It was the home course for Bobby Jones and the location of the Tour Championship. Unfortunately, not just anyone can play there. It requires a membership or someone with a membership as your friend.
The course has a rich history. Not only is it now the location of the Tour Championship, but it also hosted the Southern Amateur, the Southern Open, and the Georgia State Amateur several years throughout its history as well as other competitions throughout the years.
6. Bears Best Atlanta
Access: Open to the public
Site: invitedclubs.com
Green Fee: $63-$105
Stay and Play Package: No stay and play packages are available
Bears Best is one of the most iconic holes by Jack Nicklaus throughout the world. It’s a daily fee course but provides the same feeling as a luxury private club. At a fraction of the price, this is a course everyone can enjoy.
The course combines all of Jack’s favorite hole designs into one course. Some of the originals even come from private courses. This allows you the chance to play on courses and course designs you might otherwise not get the chance to experience.
7. The Highlands Course at Atlanta Athletic Club
Access: Private
Site: atlantaathleticclub.org
Green Fee: $150
Stay and Play Package: No stay and play packages are available
The Highlands Course is one of the most unique and works well when paired with the Riverside Course. Each one is nine holes making for a perfect 18-hole course when combined. The front nine, which makes up the Highlands Course, was designed by Joe Finger. The original back nine was designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1964.
With its recent renovation in 2016, the course still offers unique challenges for all players. Unfortunately, the course is private access only. So unless you are a member or have a friend that’s a member, then you likely won’t be able to play on the course anytime soon.
8. Ocean Forest Golf Course
Access: Private
Site: oceanforestgolfclub.com
Green Fee: $145-$220
Stay and Play Package: No stay and play packages are available
Bill Jones III is the founder of the Ocean Forest Golf Club in 1995. The course reached popularity far faster than expected. The founder hoped to get 300 club members before opening, only to reach half that number just three weeks after sending out letters and before the building even started.
All of the holes at Ocean Forest are scenic and challenging, but the 17th hole is by far the signature of the course. It’s 216 yards and a par 3. The hold sits right on the ocean and is packed with challenging bunkers and hazards to keep you on your toes. Make sure you don’t allow the pretty scenery to distract you, even for a moment.
9. The Oconee Course at Reynolds Lake Oconee
Access: Open to the public
Site: Reynoldslakeoconee.com
Green Fee: $8-$40
Stay and Play Package: Stay and play packages are available
The Oconee Course is one of six courses at Reynolds Lake. Each one is a championship golf course and two of the courses are ranked in America’s Top 100 courses. Any of them are well worth visiting. However, the Oconee is at the top of the list.
The course was designed by Rees Jones and offers the perfect example of a great risk/reward style of golfing. The course offers you a chance to see the Lake Oconee shoreline, and even play over some of the inlets or some of the doglegs.
10. Harbor Club
Access: Semi-private
Site: harborclub.com
Green Fee: $70-$159
Stay and Play Package: No stay and play packages are available
Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf designed Harbor Club’s golf course. The 18 holes feature gently rolling hills and a beautiful lakeshore. The climate means it’s easy to play at any point of the year. The course has been around since 1991 and has undergone several dramatic updates since then to make it modern and challenging.
Like the course above, the Harbor Club is located on Lake Oconee. It’s within a gated community. If you live in the area, it’s the perfect place to play and within a short walking distance. Of course, you can still play without living in the area, as long as you plan in advance.
11. Achasta at Golf Dahlonega
Access: Semi-private
Site: achasta.com
Green Fee: $79-$99
Stay and Play Package: Stay and play packages are available
Achasta is known to be Jack Nicklaus’ Signature Golf Course. It’s located in the North Georgia Mountains intertwined with the Chestatee River. It’s another golf course situated in the heart of a housing community. In addition to the course, there are loads of amenities including other outdoor sports and delicious dining options.
Achasta offers 18 holes, all a little different. You have some demanding courses, straight lines, and a series of unassuming holes to keep you entertained. Despite the challenges, it’s a great course for anyone who wants to play. It gives you a chance to learn some unique mechanics and test out your eye for seeing difficult challenges.
12. Seaside Course at Sea Island
Access: Open to the public
Site: seaisland.com
Green Fee: $160-$345
Stay and Play Package: Stay and play packages are available.
Sea Island has a few courses to choose from, but the Seaside Course is by far the best. It offers a Scottish links style of golfing. The course is full of all sorts of hazards and features, including dunes, salt marshes, tidal creeks, and even the ocean.
Not only is Sea Island one of the best golf courses in Georgia, but it also has one of the best stay and play packages with many options for courses and lodging to choose from. If you want to learn more about golf packages in Georgia, check out our hand-picked list here: top stay and play golf packages in Georgia.
FAQS
How Many Golf Courses Are in Georgia?
There are a total of 423 golf courses in Georgia. This makes for a total of 0.01 golf courses per square mile. This also puts it as number 13 out of all states for the most golf courses.
Is it Safe to Fly With Your Golf Bags into Georgia?
Flying with golf equipment is sometimes frightening. Airlines are notorious for being tough on all sorts of luggage, including your precious golf clubs. There are some steps you can take to keep your clubs as safe as possible, such as removing the heads of all of your clubs.
Another great option is to buy a golf travel bag. This is a bag that goes around your golf club and your regular golf bag to add a bit more protection. Good golf travel bags stop your equipment from rolling around and banging into each other.
How Many Golf Courses Are in Atlanta?
In Atlanta, Georgia, there are a total of 23 golf courses. If you consider the surrounding area, there are another 35 golf courses for a total of 58 courses.
What Is the Name of the Big Golf Tournament in Georgia?
The Masters Tournament is considered to be the big golf tournament in Georgia. It’s been going on since 1934 and is considered to be on par with the U.S. Open, the British Open, and the PGA Championship.
This competition goes on every April. Augusta National Golf Club is where the competition is hosted. Augusta takes this role rather seriously, constantly making changes to improve and increase the challenge of their holes.
Can You Golf Year-Round in Georgia?
For most of Georgia, it’s entirely possible to golf year-round. Whether or not the golf courses you’re considering are open year-round is another issue. Some of the golf courses in the state are open year-round, while some are only open in the standard season.
Other golf courses, such as Ohoopee Match Club are only open in the winter to allow people a chance to play in the cooler months instead of the hot summer months. If you live in or near Georgia, this means you have a chance to play at a variety of different courses at different times of the year.
