GEORGIA GOLF TRAIL: AN ALLURING GOLF DESTINATION

When golfers think about golf in Georgia, they focus on the Masters in April at the Augusta National Golf Club and the Tour Championship in late summer at East Lake in Atlanta, but there’s more to Georgia golf than where the pros play.  When golfers visit Georgia, they focus on the 20+ golf courses that are part of the Georgia Golf Trail (GGT).  Many of the GGT venues are actually located within the Georgia state parks as they also have modern affordable housing options, diverse outdoor recreation opportunities, and on-site restaurants.  The state park golf courses are well-designed gems and affordably priced.  

Another plus of the GGT is Georgia’s year-round weather — mild enough in the winter to play golf 12 months a year. 

“The diversity of the destinations is the strength of the Georgia Golf Trail, ranging from mountain golf to coastal golf, and everything in between,” said Doug Hollandsworth, Founder, Georgia Golf Trail.  “And, in Georgia, you’ll find world-class resorts like Callaway Resort & Gardens, Stone Mountain Golf Club, and the Jekyll Island Club Resorts.” 

The effort to promote the GGT is not solely on the shoulders of Hollandsworth.

“Golf attracts tourists and tourism is a big part of the Georgia economy so we work closely with State of Georgia Departments of Tourism, State Parks and Agriculture,” added Hollandsworth.  “Golf is a vehicle for economic growth in Georgia.”

Golf-related tourism has also helped stimulate real estate sales in the state.

“Many golfers have loved visiting Georgia so much that they have purchased second homes here in our state,” said Hollandsworth.  “Our relationship with Drake Realty (drakerealty.com) has helped connect buyers and sellers.”

Here’s a quick editorial journey through the Georgia Golf Trail, which includes two state parks and lodges that are members of the GGT:

HIGHLAND WALK GC

Rural Gem.  There are many uphill and downhill tee shots at the Highland Walk Golf Course at Victoria Bryant State Park in Royston.  The easiest downhill tee shot is at the par-four 1^st hole, but the most memorable tee shot is at the 7^th where a well-struck tee ball will soar forever in the Georgia sky.  The number-one photo opportunity is the 17^th.  Here, your tee shot, struck from a raised tee box, will travel over a ravine to a narrow fairway.  From there, go pin seeking to a flag perched on a raised green.

ARROWHEAD POINTE GC

Brilliant Layout.  In Elberton, there’s the Richard B. Russell State Park — home of the Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course.  At this golf course, considered the ‘Crown Jewel’ of the Georgia Golf Trail, the water views are simply stunning — with 10 of the 18 holes skirting Lake Richard B. Russell.  Arrowhead Pointe GC is consistent with the state park golf course theme of “no crowds, no houses, no noise.”

THE CREEK GC

Scenic & Serene.  In Social Circle, the Creek Golf Course at Hard Labor Creek State Park awaits your arrival.  This course provides great value, as Golf Digest Frugal Golfer has listed The Creek as the “4^th sweetest deal in the USA.”  One of the Creek’s memorable holes is its signature hole – the 5th.  Here, a water wheel and bridge are located behind the green, creating a peaceful and picturesque backdrop.

BRAZELL’S CREEK GC

Country Cool.  In Reidsville, the Brazell’s Creek Golf Course at Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park is a well-designed par-71 layout.  Georgia’s own Denis Griffiths designed this golf course. At Brazell’s Creek, a 1,500-foot wooden bridge winds its way through a canopy of trees, connecting the front nine with the back nine. The back nine was built on a windswept open landscape which has a links-style look to it.  The front nine is tree-lined and the greens have creative contours.

THE LAKES GC

Southern Sensation.  The Lakes Golf Course at Laura S. Walker Park in Waycross is the southern-most golf course on the Georgia Golf Trail.  The fairways and landing areas are defined with gentle, links-style mounds that accent the course’s three large lakes while the greens are large and undulating.  Loblolly pines line the fairways at The Lakes.

WALLACE ADAMS GC

‘Little’ Augusta National.  While standing on the tees at the Wallace Adams Golf Course at the Little Ocmulgee State Park in McRae, the views remind you of Augusta National.  The greens are perfect, pure, and true.  Even the pine straw appears to be maintained as they do at the Masters.  The Wallace Adams GC is nicknamed Little O and is often referred to Augusta National’s ‘cousin.’

GEORGIA VETERANS MEMORIAL GC

A Georgia Peach.  The Georgia Veterans Memorial Golf Course, located on the premises of the Lake Blackshear Resort & State Park in Cordele, is a par-72 layout with 130 sand traps, four sets of tees, and at least one grey fox!  The key to playing this course well is to focus your attention on these six holes: 1^st, 7^th, 11^th, 13^th, 15^th, and 18^th.

MEADOW LINKS GC

Links-Like Look.  The Meadow Links Golf Course is affiliated with the George T. Bagby State Park located near Fort Gaines.  When Meadow Links opened in 1998, Golf Digest ranked it as “the nation’s sixth best new affordable public course.”  It remains one of the nation’s top most affordable public golf courses.  George T. Bagby State Park has been labeled as “The Best Kept Secret in Southwest Georgia.”

Again, the lodging opportunities at these afore-mentioned state parks are clean, modernized, and provide you with a relaxing place to get some rest in between your rounds of golf.

BRASSTOWN VALLEY RESORT

Mountain Mama.  Nestled among the North Georgia Mountains, Brasstown Valley Resort is the quintessential mountain golf getaway.  The golf course was built in a valley like setting, which justifies its moniker – Brasstown Valley.  The golf course is well maintained, cleverly designed, and entertaining to play.  Here, you have spectacular views of the surrounding mountainous terrain.

THE FROG GC

Pure and Peaceful.  In Villa Rica, The Frog GC is surrounded by thousands of mature, loblolly pine trees, this parkland-style golf course reminds visitors of what it must be like to visit another well-known Georgia golf course which is dominated by loblolly pines – Augusta National Golf Club.  That’s a strong and accurate comparison.  The Frog is an 18-hole championship public-access golf course which deserves that ‘championship’ label.  At The Frog, walking is encouraged, as the distances from greens to tees are minimal.

CALLAWAY RESORT & GARDENS (Mountain View and Lake View)

Tour Quality.  In Pine Mountain, the Mountain View Golf Course is a former host of the PGA Tour’s Buick Challenge.  This course stretches up to 7,057 ya

rds from the back tees.  There are three other shorter tees to play from at Mountain View, which was designed by golf course architect Dick Wilson.  Here, the fairways are lined by towering pines.  The Signature Hole at Mountain View is the par-five 6^th, where the tee shot and the approach shot to the green are played over water. 

Forever Fun.  Also in Pine Mountain, the Lake View Golf Course is very playable from the back tees – a shade under 6,200 yards.  The course’s biggest defense is the water which comes into play on nine holes, including a memorable six-hole stretch around Mountain Creek Lake.  Like many resort courses, which are focused on being player-friendly, Lake View has very wide fairways.  When the course was designed by J.B. McGovern and Dick Wilson, the goal was to design a course that is as beautiful to visit as it is fun to play.  McGovern and Wilson were successful in their mission. 

CURRAHEE G & CC

Gorgeous Getaway.  In Toccoa, the Currahee Club’s “stand alone” location, nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, is spectacular.  The Jim Fazio-designed 18-hole golf course is worthy of its championship label.  The course features multiple sets of tees for the enjoyment of any skill level.  The course maintains premiere playing conditions year-round, highlighted by outstanding bent grass greens.  And, in the Cherokee language, Currahee means “stand alone,” an appropriate way to describe the geographic locale of this eastern Georgia getaway. 

SKY VALLEY CC

Somethin’ Special.  Sky Valley Country Club’s average elevation of 3,500 feet makes it one of the highest elevation golf courses in Georgia.  Nestled in the mountains of North Georgia, it’s worth the scenic journey to the Sky Valley CC, which is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest.  At Sky Valley, the golf course sits in a valley which is totally surrounded by mountains.  You can check out current conditions by accessing Sky Valley’s 24-hour webcam:  https://www.resortcams.com/webcams/sky-valley-ga/.  Sky Valley’s tee-to-green course conditions are exemplary.

INNSBRUCK GC

Mountain Majesty.  Nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia, located on the outskirts of Helen, this 18-hole par-72 golf course was designed by Bill Watts.  Some golf pundits have referred to Innsbruck as “Alpine mountain golf at its finest.”  At Innsbruck, distances don’t mean as much simply because of the large number of uphill and downhill shots that you have from the tee boxes and as you approach the greens.  The most memorable shot at Innsbruck will be the downhill tee shot on the 15^th hole.  The descent from tee to green is at least 150 feet.

STONE MOUNTAIN GC (Lakemont and Stonemont)

Dynamic Duo.  The Stone Mountain Golf Club, located within the Stone Mountain State Park, is just east of Atlanta.  Here, you have 36 holes of golf and a luxurious accommodation option, the Atlanta Evergreen Marriott at Stone Mountain Park.  The two golf courses – Lakemont and Stonemont – are great examples of the high-quality golf.  At the Stone Mountain Golf Club, you will get a glimpse of the Mount Rushmore-like carvings on the side of Stone Mountain.  And, the views of Stone Mountain Lake from the Marriott are peaceful and serene.  Both golf courses are excellent designs.

THE CLUB AT SAVANAH HARBOR

A Southern Classic.  The Club at Savannah Harbor – a Bob Cupp and Sam Snead design — hosted the Legends of Golf event on the Champions Tour from 2003-2013.  If it’s good enough for the Champions Tour, you will enjoy it as well.  Golf Magazine refers to this course as “Savannah’s Golf Centerpiece.”  If you stay on-site at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, you receive complimentary water ferry service to River Street.

JEKYLL ISLAND GC (Great Dunes, Indian Mound, Oleander, and Pine Lakes)

A Historic Treasure.  The Great Dunes Course was the first golf course on Jekyll Island.  The architect of this coastal jewel is the great Walter “Old Man” Travis.  Travis was asked to design and build the best golf course that money could buy.  He delivered on his promise.  Work on the Great Dunes Course began in 1926 and it opened for play in 1928, but Travis died in 1927.

Short, Not Simple.  The Indian Mound course was constructed in 1975 by veteran course designer Joe Lee.  It is the shortest of the three 18-hole courses, but it’s no pitch and putt track.  Water impacts play on 11 of the 18 holes.  The par fives are more difficult in reality than their yardage indicates.  The many short par four holes represent your best birdie opportunities.

Georgia Open Course.  The Oleander Course is considered to be the most difficult course on Jekyll Island.  Not surprisingly, it has been the host course for the Georgia Open on four occasions. Designed by well-respected golf course architect Dick Wilson, Oleander is known as the most ‘distinct’ of the three 18-hole courses on Jekyll Island.

Tranquil Track.  Pine Lakes, the longest course on Jekyll Island, was first opened for play in 1968 and it was renovated in 2002.  The golf course meanders through ocean forests and natural marsh hammocks.  Pine Lakes is peaceful, quiet, and tranquil.  Developed by designer Clyde Johnson, Pine Lakes is best described as family friendly.

SAPELO HAMMOCK GC

Rural Treasure.  The Sapelo Hammock Golf Club, which can be found in the coastal community of Shellman Bluff, is surrounded by tidal marshes, saw palmettos, and live oak trees, dripping with Spanish moss.  This golf course is in terrific shape and its greens are a reflection of this club’s commitment to excellence.

SEA ISLAND

Oceanside Oasis.  Simply put, there may be no better 54-hole golf destination in the U.S. than Sea Island.  With access to the Plantation, Seaside, and Retreat courses, you will be spoiled with three well-designed golf courses where no expense has been spared to give you the kind of golf experience that you deserve.  While Seaside is referred to as a “Stunning Classic,” that’s a fitting description for all three layouts.  The PGA Tour visits Sea Island each November.

REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE

Lakeside Luxury.  Located in the small community of Greensboro, you will find six distinctive and first-class golf experiences in one location.  The courses are Great Waters (designed by Jack Nicklaus), The National (designed by Tom Fazio), The Oconee (designed by Rees Jones), The Creek Club (designed by Jim Engh), The Preserve (designed by Bob Cupp), and The Landing (designed by Cupp).  When you visit this destination, you will find it difficult leaving this destination.

CHATEAU ELAN (Chateau and Woodlands) 

Castle Country.  In Braselton, the Chateau course has been ranked as one of the best golf courses in Georgia since its opening.  During your journey from the first tee to the 18^th green, you’ll see 87 bunkers, water in play on 10 holes, three lakes, and two meandering streams.  And, the TifEagle greens give you great consistency on Chateau course’s greens.

Dynamic Destination.  Also in Braselton, the Woodlands is “truly outstanding,” according to Golf Digest, while the Zagat Survey reports that the Woodlands is a “must play.”  The Woodlands is very pleasing to the eye from beginning to end.

UNICOI STATE PARK & LODGE

The Great Outdoors.  At Unicoi, located on the outskirts of Helen in North Georgia, you’ll rediscover your sense of adventure.  The resort features archery, zip lining, fly fishing, tennis, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, and a 53-acre lake which is ideal for swimming, pedal boating, fishing, canoeing, paddle boarding, and kayaking.

AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK & LODGE 

Mother Nature’s Masterpiece.  At the Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge in Dawsonville, spend the night and enjoy Mother Nature’s amenities during the day.  The name Amicalola is derived from the Cherokee language meaning “tumbling waters.”  This park is the home of the 729-foot Amicalola Falls waterfall, the highest in Georgia.  Amicalola Falls is also the home of Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

For more information about lodging opportunities, stay-and-play packages, and the Georgia Golf Trail, access www.GeorgiaGolfandTravel.com or 833-877-6988.