Top Things to do in Georgia
Top Hotels in Georgia
- 1. River Street Inn
- 2. The Candler Hotel Atlanta, Curio Collection by Hilton
- 3. Homewood Suites by Hilton Savannah Historic District / Riverfront
- 4. Hyatt Regency Savannah
- 5. The Marshall House
- 6. Best Western Central Inn
- 7. Hotel Clermont
- 8. The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
- 9. Mansion on Forsyth Park
- 10. Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Midtown
10 Golf Courses in Georgia That You Shouldn't Miss
While Atlanta is the anchor and capital of Georgia, you can aim in any direction to find distinctly different regions – from the tail of the Appalachians in the North to the rolling Piedmont hills and on down to the seaside marshes in the East. Atlanta lays claim to the state’s number one attraction – Stone Mountain State Park. They say it best - “Serious fun. Endless adventure.” Just 15 minutes from downtown, the world’s largest exposed granite dome is surrounded by 3,200 acres of natural beauty and stimulating activities for every member of the family – sky rides and hiking paths, laser shows and pedal boats along Stone Mountain Lake. Golfers tee it up, while red foxes dash across the fairways in a state where the Masters Golf Tournament creates revered green-jacket memories every year. It’s a long downhill ride down to historic Savannah, a ‘stone’s throw’ from the Atlantic and a virtual step back in time to Southern architecture and stately squares. St. Simon’s and Jekyll Islands offer barrier island beauty and a wonderful combination of outdoor activities, historic sites and artistic culture. Originally the private winter playground of wealthy northeasterners, Jekyll Island stretches along 10 miles of coastal beaches and inland marshes. Cycling and walking paths wind under moss-laden oaks, and a tour of Millionaire Village takes you back to those Cornelius Vanderbilt and J.P. Morgan days. The kid-friendly Summer Waves Water Park adds man-made fun to natural water sport activities. Coastal golf courses and sophisticated St. Simon’s Island appeal to moms, dads and vacationing couples.
Restaurants in Georgia
1. Sea Island Golf Club
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
Three championship golf courses, including Seaside and Plantation, home of the RSM Classic PGA Tournament. 17,000 square-foot state-of-the-art Golf Performance Center with industry-leading technology, oceanfront hitting and club fitting bays, highly advanced putting studio, fitness center, and full-service club workshop. Multiple target greens also overlook the water, along with practice putting and short game areas. Golf courses are only available to members and guests of Sea Island. Lessons at the Golf Performance Center are available to the public by reservation.
Reviewed By Ghizzonis2015 - Dallas, United States
Every time we visit Sea Island the Sea Side course is always a must play. It was in fantastic shape and the weather did it’s part to make it another great round of golf. I also got a lesson from Jeff Nelson at the new performance center which is top notch. One of the best practice centers in the country.
2. Old Toccoa Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By djtheoret - Lakeland, United States
By definition, a links-style golf course is one that is built on sandy soil along the coastline; there is very little elevation change other than the surrounding sand dunes. These courses are usually susceptible to strong winds, which is why you will find deep bunkers; digging them deep is the only way to keep sand in them. A true links course has little if any trees; in fact, other than tall sea grasses and gorse - a hearty low-growing evergreen plant - there is little vegetation at all! Mountain golf is the antithesis of links golf, plenty of rolling hills, dramatic elevation changes and trees everywhere. To many golfers, it offers the ultimate golf challenge. I submit to you a new category of golf course: Links Mountain Golf. The best of both worlds: sandy soils, lots of sand dunes, steep elevation changes and trees, lots of trees. We’ll leave the strong winds up to God! Old Toccoa Farm in Mineral Bluff, Georgia is the poster child of links mountain golf. Step up to the first tee and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Everything except the uphill trajectory! Design and construction on what was originally known as the Blue Ridge Golf & River Club (which began in 2005), was led by Dan Proctor and Dave Axland of Bunker Hill Golf with Jack Dredla as the Master Shaper. In 2008, the hopes of completing the Blue Ridge Golf & River Club were lost as that year’s real estate crash claimed yet another victim. When the project was abandoned in 2009, 17 of the 18-holes were shaped, but only 9-holes were irrigated, and only 7 holes had been sodded. By the time the project was foreclosed on in 2012, the grounds were overgrown and unrecognizable as a golf course. In 2013, Current Managing Partners, Kevin Hermetz and Peter Knutzen put together an investment team and were able to purchase the property at a fraction of its original value. They Immediately contacted Bunker Hill Golf and asked them if they wanted to return to complete the project. The response was unanimous – absolutely. In 2014 Bunker Hill Golf returned to compete the initial 9-holes and the course was opened in September of 2015. Ask Knutzen or Dredla what they think of the course and they’ll tell you it’s a “minimalist” golf course, except when it came to moving dirt. According to Dredla, he can’t even hazard a guess as to how much earth was moved. We were standing outside the temporary pro shop and he pointed to the ridge at the end of the driving range. The ridge stands about 20’ high behind the range and according to Dredla, it was all that height at one point. They literally dug out the driving range and moved the dirt around the course. In true minimalist fashion, there are no tee signs with diagrams of the hole and the various yardages; that’s what the scorecard and Visage GPS system are for! Old Toccoa Farm offers golfers 5 sets of tees and can be played anywhere from 6,707 (73.8/149) to 4,525 (67.2/123) yards. No matter your golf competency level, you’ll find a set of tees that will let you thoroughly enjoy the golf course. Old Toccoa Farm has some pretty impressive practice facilities too, including a full-length driving range, chipping area and a putting green and in the spring of 2020, they will open their Family Par-3 Course located inside the driving range! As you traverse the course at Old Toccoa Farm, you’ll encounter scenic vistas, fields of native grasses, and thick stands of hardwood trees, each adding to the overall aesthetics of the course. The massive bunkers are very rugged looking and remind you of the traditional links style courses with thick grass collars, and tall-wispy grass edges. Advancing the ball from many of the traps can be difficult. Often – as in Scotland – your best (only) play out is either sideways or backwards. The greens at Old Toccoa Farm are 007 Bentgrass and feature a great deal of undulation. In fact, undulation may be an understatement; hills or mounds may be more suitable. According to Knutzen, they’ve buried their fair share of elephants out here! As far as speed, they typically run between 8 and 9 on the stimpmeter and can be taken up a notch or two for tournaments and special events. Hole # 2 is very interesting, playing over 400 yards downhill from the back two sets of tees. Accuracy off the tee is a must, finding the fairway is imperative if you want to score well, or at the very least find your ball so you can hit it again. Push anything right towards the fairway bunker and you’ll have a totally blind second shot – albeit downhill – to a green that leaves very little margin for error. A good drive in the fairway can roll a long way and could very well be that 300 yard drive you’ve been dreaming about and put you in a good position for a birdie. Several fairways – and cart paths for that matter – are reminiscent of a roller coaster and with over 280 feet of elevation change, Old Toccoa Farm rivals the best coasters out there. The shortest hole on the course (Hole # 12, 116 yards) is followed by the longest hole on the course (the par 5 13th hole at 626 yards), which plays downhill and is, believe it or not, reachable in two. Sometimes looking where you’ve been can be a beautiful thing. Case in point: Stand on the green on Hole # 5 and look back at where you’ve just come from. Downhill off the tee, uphill to the green never looked so good! If you’re looking to get back to nature, you’ve come to the right place. This private, gated community with semi-private golf, consists of over 420 acres and is located just 5 miles from the charming mountain town of Blue Ridge, GA. The nearby Chattahoochee and Cherokee National Forests offer more than 1,000,000 acres of managed wilderness, for hiking, and biking. Old Toccoa Farm also boasts over 4,300 feet of frontage on the clear-flowing Toccoa River, a world-class fishery. The river also offers plenty of other river activities including, canoeing and kayaking. Currently, there are 3.5 miles of walking trails on property that meander along the Toccoa River and next to small slow-moving creeks. As the community grows, plans call for an expansion of the trail system. Old Toccoa Farm is open six days a week and closed on Tuesdays. One way to become a member of Old Toccoa Farm is to purchase property; Property owners must become members. Not looking for a new primary or second home or already have a home in the area? You can apply to become a Non-Resident Member but better hurry, ultimately there will be a cap on the number of Non-Resident memberships. Corporate Memberships are also available. Not sure if Old Toccoa Farm is a place you want to call home? They have a way to help you decide. It’s called a Discovery Visit and gives you the opportunity to explore the community and preview the upcoming plans for the development. You’ll also have the opportunity to play one of the most impressive courses I’ve ever had the privilege of playing. If you’re looking for something more than golf, the friendly and amenable staff can help you arrange water activities and other outdoor pursuits during your visit. If you enjoy the game of golf and find yourself anywhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia, you owe it to yourself to go and play a round at Old Toccoa Farm and experience links-style golf in the mountains.
3. East Lake Golf Club
4. Sapelo Hammock Golf Club
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Sapelo Hammock Golf Club features five sets of tees to accommodate golfers of all skill levels. The 18-hole, 6,887-yard, par 72 course is the main attraction, boasting Champion Bermuda greens, 4 - 19 Bermuda fairways and roughs, and coastal Georgia marsh grass hazards. The thought-provoking layout will test the veteran players while the picturesque scenery will help newer golfers relax as they enjoy learning the classic game. With over two miles of marsh front play, the views are spectacular. The clubhouse is also available for receptions, business functions, and the marsh view side is a great spot for location wedding. Our Eagles Nest apartment above the clubhouse is a two bedroom, two bath rental with full kitchen, den and deck overlooking the beautiful coastal marsh. We offer stay and play packages and have this apartment and three other condos available for stays of 16-20 guests.
Reviewed By BillUsma74 - Canton, United States
Sapelo Hammock is a hidden gem of a golf course. It is beautifully situated on the Coastal Marsh. The course has several tee boxes and can accommodate all caliber of golfers. It is a beast from the back tees, hard from the blue tees and has the most challenging par 3s. The vistas are beautiful. The course was in good shape for January, greens putted true and were fairly fast but held high irons. Staff is friendly and cost is very reasonable. If you are close or even thinking of going near there, you must play golf here. I promise you will thank me for it.
5. Laurel Island Links
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
One of the newest golf courses on the Georgia coast.
Reviewed By GaryW653 - Fernandina Beach, United States
This is a nice golf course that I have played several times. It’s always in good condition, has full service restaurant and bar, and a driving range. All the staff are friendly and helpful and the greens fees are very reasonable. If you reserve your tee time online and pay in advance, you’ll save some money. Nothing fancy. Relaxed.
6. The Frog Golf Course
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Designed by legendary golf course architect, Tom Fazio, The Frog is recognized among the top courses in Georgia. Located off I-20 in Villa Rica, The Frog is a masterpiece complete with bentgrass greens, expansive bunkering, and has also attained status as an Audobon Cooperative Sanctuary.
Reviewed By dhY3107CF - Villa Rica, United States
This course is in great condition. Greens are fast, fairways are soft and well maintained. Could use breakfast at the clubhouse or a refreshment cart.
7. The King and Prince Golf Course
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
The King and Prince Golf Course, on the northernmost reaches of this famed barrier island is golf and all its pleasures at their very best. This 18- hole Bermuda Grass course was built in 1989 by designer Joe Lee. Golfers arrive to find a relaxed balance of those things that make the game memorable: the serenity of extraordinary natural beauty and the challenges of one of coastal Georgia's great courses. Emerald fairways, ancient forests, vast salt marshes, island holes, premier instruction, gracious dining, a warm and welcoming clubhouse and staff are combined to make your next round a quality experience on an ideal course “Where You Can’t Just Play Once”.
Reviewed By P97KZsteveg
Played this course multiple times with my wife during a recent trip to St Simons. We were very impressed and loved playing this gem of a course. It was a beautiful track, nestled against the lagoons and marshes on the northern end of the island. Wonderful natural beauty is plentiful with giant live oaks draped in Spanish moss all along the fairways. The course was playable for all handicaps and also offered challenging unique features at every tee box. The course seemed very well managed and maintained with manicured fairways and rough. The bunkers were in excellent condition as well. Rick Mattox, the General Manager/Head Pro along with his staff (Mike, Danielle and Brandon) were very courteous and hospitable. My wife and will definitely play this gem again during our next golf trip to the Georgia coast.
8. Reynolds Lake Oconee
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By markP7424NW - Greensboro, United States
Reynolds Lake Oconee, formerly Reynolds Plantation is a large development with homes, lots, golf courses, tennis courts, marinas, restaurants, pro shops, exercise facilities, a Ritz Carlton etc. It is a first class operation with friendly staff and top notch facilities. It is a little on the pricey side but you get what you pay for.
9. Crosswinds Golf Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By 465thomass465
This is a beautiful and challenging course. Pristine fairways and greens. Water is in play on at least 10 holes. Nice practice area with a range, putting green, chipping area and sand area. Right next to the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, just off of I-95.
10. The Club at Savannah Harbor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By K3868NLmarkl - Savannah, United States
Finally got a chance to play this course after retiring to the area and it did not disappoint. Friendly staff and the course offers a variety of holes in all four directions...the wind was blowing about 15 mph and that made a few holes quite challenging. Course conditions were excellent...especially considering the July heat. Would definitely go back again.
