Six of the best courses to play in Georgia that aren't Augusta

17/11/2023 17:25

Georgia golf is famous for the Augusta National which hosts the famous Masters, but playing the great course can be something of a mission impossible for the average hacker.

Many of the best courses in Georgia are privately owned, but they are not as difficult to get a round on as August.

Here we look at six of the best courses to play in the state of Georgia in the United States.

Sea Island: Seaside course

When you think of Georgia the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t links golf but Sea Island’s Seaside course is a true gem of the state and really stands out amidst a veritable sea of Parkland courses.

The 18-hole course is actually constructed out of two nine-hole courses, with the old Marshside course merged with the original seaside nine.

Sea Island hosts the PGA TOUR's RSM Classic in alternation with the club’s Plantation Course.

As with many links courses the challenge of the Seaside course can vary wildly depending on the conditions as there are few natural barriers to the wind.

Ocean Forest Golf Club

Not far from the public Sea Island Seaside course is a masterpiece of a links-style course with distinct local flavour.

Making use of a wild and wooded area of Sea Island this links-style course in many instances has the look of a parkland course. The course doesn’t meet the strictest standards of being a true Links course but it is nonetheless a remarkable layout.

Make sure you have all your clubs in your bag when you turn up to Ocean Forest as the course will require versatility and at times a little bit of imagination. It is known to reward the precise and the circumspect though with many significant hazards lying beyond their small greens to punish the grip it and rip it crew.

As a private club, this one can be tougher to play on but well worth it if you get the chance. Your best chance of playing it is either as a member or a guest of a member.

East Lake Golf Club

East Lake Golf Club sports a magnificent course that is just minutes away from downtown Atlanta.

It is also a private club making membership crucial to playing the course although you can also play as a guest of a member. It is not impossible to play as a non-member, but it is very difficult.

From the championship tees the course plays long at 7374 yards with five sets of tee boxes available the shortest of which plays at 5205 yards.

Atlanta Athletic Club: Highlands

The former owners of East Lake, the Atlanta Athletic Club more recently commissioned their Highlands Course which has hosted an impressive collection of national and international tournaments.

It has been tweaked and refined as a course extensively since the Athletic Club hosted the US Open in 1976.

As another private club, you will need the invitation of a member to enjoy any of the Atheltic Club facilities. As a full health club members are availed of a wide range of health and wellness facilities and sports playing areas.

Ohoopee Match Club

Once an onion farm, the Ohoopee Match Club has been transformed into a winter course that stands out as one of the finest in the state of Georgia.

Gil Hanse laid out all 22 holes at the Ohoopee Match Club with the four extra holes being used with a modified version of 14 of the other holes to form what is known as the ‘Whiskey Route’.

Ohoopee Match Club is a members-only private golf resort, and those who wish to play should contact the club directly.

The layout is purpose-designed for matchplay making it a novel if not unique experience.

Peachtree Golf Club

Peachtree Golf Club has an incredible reputation – and a round at the famous course is something that is incredibly sought-after.

The demand is also driven by the exclusivity of the Peachtree Golf Club which is also a members-only club where guests need to be accompanied by a full member.

Peachtree can feel like a re-imagining of Augusta given the similarity in layout and prominent vegetation.

The club is also just about as difficult to play for non-members as Augusta.

The post Six of the best courses to play in Georgia that aren’t Augusta appeared first on Golf365.