GOLFERS FIND MAGNIFICENT MOUNTAIN GOLF IN NORTH GEORGIA

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 15^th 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.