The best mountain golf in the southern part of the Appalachian Mountains is not restricted to North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The state which is often overlooked is the Peach State, Georgia. Many golfers are pleasantly surprised to discover that three of the finest mountain golf destination in the eastern U.S. can be found in Georgia – specifically, Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa in Young Harris; Valhalla Golf Club in Helen; and the Sky Valley Country Club in Sky Valley.
Those three golf courses are also part of the Georgia Golf Trail.
“There isn’t a better golf getaway, especially in the late spring, summer, and early fall, than North Georgia,” said Doug Hollandsworth, Founder, Georgia Golf Trail. “Georgia’s mountain golf courses are terrific.”
Nestled among the mountains of North Georgia, Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa (706-379-4613) is the quintessential mountain golf getaway. Even though Brasstown Valley is located in the mountains, the golf course was built in a valley, which justifies its name – Brasstown Valley. Just a two-hour drive from Atlanta to the south and Chattanooga from the north, Brasstown Valley is easily accessible for golfers in the Southeast. At Brasstown Valley, the mountain air is clearer, cleaner, and crisper. The atmosphere is refreshing and re-energizing. The golf course is well maintained and entertaining to play. The golf course winds its way through wildlife preserves, ponds, and streams, as you have spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. From the golf course, you can see Brasstown Bald (elevation: 4,784 feet), the highest peak in Georgia. Your dining options at Brassies Grill and The Dining Room are excellent. P.S. Strongly consider booking a massage at the Equani Spa during your stay at Brasstown or go horseback riding along five miles of trails, when you are not playing golf.
The Valhalla Golf Club (706-878-2100) was built in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. Some golf pundits have referred to Valhalla’s par-72 layout as “Alpine mountain golf at its finest.” The most memorable shot at Valhalla will be the downhill tee shot on the par-three 15th hole. P.S.: The descent from tee to green is significant – at least 150 feet.
When you visit Helen, you’ll notice a strong German theme to its architecture and atmosphere. When walking or driving through Helen, you will feel that an Octoberfest-like celebration is about to begin or is now taking place. P.S.: An ideal place to spend the night in Helen is at the luxurious Valhalla Resort, which is adjacent to the Valhalla GC.
Sky Valley Country Club’s (706-746-5302) average elevation of 3,500 feet makes it one of the highest elevation golf courses in Georgia. The Sky Valley CC is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest. At Sky Valley, many of the tee shots are struck from raised tees which adds an element of excitement, intrigue, and strategy to the Sky Valley golf experience. Sky Valley’s tee-to-green course conditions are exemplary. P.S.: Any trip to Sky Valley without a visit to the croquet complex is incomplete!
Sky Valley Country Club’s (706-746-5302) average elevation of 3,500 feet makes it one of the highest elevation golf courses in Georgia. The Sky Valley CC is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest. At Sky Valley, many of the tee shots are struck from raised tees which adds an element of excitement, intrigue, and strategy to the Sky Valley golf experience. Sky Valley’s tee-to-green course conditions are exemplary. P.S.: Any trip to Sky Valley without a visit to the croquet complex is incomplete!
If your travels to Georgia begin or end in Atlanta, play golf at the Stone Mountain Golf Club (770-465-3278), located just east of Atlanta. Located within Stone Mountain State Park, the golf club features “One Lake. One Mountain. Two Incredible Courses.” Those two golf courses are Lakemont and Stonemont. Both courses are also part of the Georgia Golf Trail. Wonderful on-site accommodations with views of Stone Mountain Lake are available at the Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort. P.S.: While here, take the Summit Skyride, the high-speed Swiss cable car, to the top of Stone Mountain, the largest free-standing granite creation in the world.
On your way to the top, you can see the famous Stone Mountain Memorial Carving, which features the head shots of three Confederate Civil War heroes — General Robert E. Lee, General Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson, and former Confederate President Jefferson Davis – engraved into the mountain.
At Lakemont, water is present on eight of the first 13 holes. The course is not heavily bunkered, but its biggest defense mechanisms are the pine tree-lined fairways and Stone Mountain Lake. P.S.: Some part of Stone Mountain is visible throughout the course.
‘Peaceful’ is the one word to describe the setting at Stonemont, a par-70 layout, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. It features gently rolling fairways flanked by Georgia pines with many dramatic views of Stone Mountain. P.S.: Golf tip: Putts at Stonemont tend to break away from Stone Mountain.
After visiting those destinations along the Georgia Golf Trail (www.GeorgiaGolfandTravel.), it won’t be easy leaving Georgia, but it will be easy coming back for a return visit.
What Make’s Bridgestone’s e12 Golf Special?
Matt Adams, Equipment Insider with Golf Channel explains the features of the Bridgestone e12 golf ball and how that technology can help you play better golf. More more about Bridgestone Golf visit their website: bridgestonegolf.com
TopGolf Swing Suite Coming to Beau Rivage Casino
The Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, MS has announced a new and exiting addition that will be of interest to golfers and anyone looking to have a little fun - the TopGolf Swing Suite.Each Topgolf Swing Suite location features a large screen where participants can play...
Topline Golf Trunk Organizer
If you're like me, you need all the help you can get staying organized. The new Topline Golf Trunk Organizer does just that! The organizer is lightweight, durable, easily transportable, and has plenty of internal storage. Store your shoes, balls, gloves, towels, tees,...
Mississippi Masterpieces: Old Waverly & Mossy Oak
Mississippi has an abundance of great golf courses that should be on your bucket list. Two of the very best are in West Point, MS located in the northeast section of the state.The George and Marcia Bryan Family wanted to bring world-class golf to the Mississippi Black...
US Open TV & Online Streaming Times
All Times CentralRound 1 -- Thursday, June 13Live stream -- Featured groups: 9:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on USOpen.comLive stream -- Holes 7, 8 & 17: 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on USOpen.comTV coverage: 11:30-6:30 p.m. on FS1, 6:30-9:30 p.m. on FoxTV simulcast live...
US Open Tee Times & Pairings (Round 1 – Thursday)
All times Central Hole No. 1 8:45 a.m. -- Sam Saunders, Carlos Ortiz, Marcus Fraser8:56 a.m. -- TBD; Erik Van Rooyen, (a) Chun An Yu9:07 a.m. -- Ryan Fox, Thorbjorn Olesen, TBD9:18 a.m. -- Scottie Scheffler, (a) Matt Parziale, Nick Taylor9:29 a.m. -- Patton Kizzire,...
Father’s Day Golf Gift Ideas
Looking for golf gift ideas for Father's Day? We know it's not always easy, so maybe some of these gift ideas will help make your shopping experience a little easier and give your dad a little something that he'll enjoy. Golf BallsOur recommendation is to do a little...
Judy Rankin Named 2019 Memorial Tournament Honoree
Jack Nicklaus hosts the Memorial Tournament each year at his Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The Memorial is one of the premier events on the PGA Tour and boasts one of the strongest fields year in and year out.The Memorial is also special because each...
How Does Brooks Koepka Keep Winning Majors?
Brooks Koepka won the 101st PGA Championship on Sunday at Bethpage Black by two strokes over Dustin Johnson. The win gives Koepka his fourth major championship out of the last nine. He now has won back-to-back PGA Championships and US Opens, where he'll be trying for...
University of Arkansas Wins Men’s SEC Golf Championship
The University of Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Auburn University Tigers on Sunday morning on the Sea Island Resort Seaside Course to win their first SEC Men's Golf Championship since 1995.Auburn's Brandon Mancheno got things started in the finals with a blistering...
Auburn Takes SEC Team Stroke Play and Individual Titles
The Auburn Men's Golf Team shot a 24-under par total of 816 over three days of stroke play at the SEC Men's Golf Championship at the Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simon Island, GA. The total was 16 strokes better than second-place Vanderbilt.The performance earned the...
SEC Men’s Golf Men’s Golf Championship – April 24 – 28
The SEC Men's Golf Championship will be held at Sea Island Golf Club's Seaside Course on April 24-28.Tournament format will include three rounds of stroke play with the top eight teams advancing to the match play rounds. The SEC Network will broadcast the quarterfinal...