Planning a golf trip to the Peach State? You’ve made a great choice. From the seaside links of the Golden Isles to the dramatic elevations of the North Georgia mountains, this state offers some of the most memorable and challenging public-access golf in the country. This guide will walk you through the can't-miss courses that are open to everyone, complete with some strategic advice from a coach's perspective to help you play your best.
The Georgia coast is famous for its tidal marshes, ancient oaks, and a style of golf shaped by the steady ocean breeze. Playing here is a unique test of patience and precision, where controlling your ball flight is just as important as how far you hit it.
If you watch the PGA Tour, you already know the Seaside Course. As the host of the RSM Classic, this is a championship-level test that you can experience for yourself. Originally designed by famed architects Harry S. Colt and Charles Alison in 1929, it was masterfully updated by Tom Fazio in 1999. The course winds through epic dunes and tidal creeks, with a relatively open landscape that leaves you fully exposed to the Atlantic wind. Nearly every shot requires you to interact with the marshes in some way, making it both breathtakingly beautiful and seriously intimidating.
Just east of Atlanta lies Reynolds Lake Oconee, a golfer's paradise with A-list architects and miles of stunning shoreline. This is a premier destination where incredible course design meets resort-style amenities, making for an unforgettable golf trip.
Re-designed by Jack Nicklaus_himself_ in 2019, Great Waters is the undisputed star of Lake Oconee and consistently ranks among the best public courses in the United States. Its defining feature is a spectacular back nine where nearly every hole brushes up against the waters of the lake. The layout is a classic Nicklaus risk-reward challenge, offering generous landing areas but demanding precise iron play into well-guarded greens. It's a visually stunning round of golf that will test every club in your bag.
You don't have to drive for hours from Atlanta to find world-class golf. The metro area and its surroundings are home to some fantastic and challenging public tracks that provide a great day on the links.
Designed by the legendary Tom Fazio, The Frog is often cited as the best public course in the Atlanta area. Fazio is a master of creating tracks that are both playable for the average golfer and a stiff test for the low-handicapper. You'll navigatebeautiful Drivable Par 4’s and long, flowing par 5s set against a backdrop of woods and wetlands. True to its Fazio roots, The Frog is known for being in impeccable condition year-round, with some of the best bentgrass greens you can find at a public facility.
Situated on the banks of Lake Acworth, Cobblestone is a dynamic and challenging course that underwent a significant renovation in 2021. This Ken Dye design features dramatic elevation changes and a number of holes that bring the lake into play. It offers some of the most scenic views of any course near Atlanta and is a favorite among local golfers for its demanding yet fair layout.
For a different flavor of Georgia golf - and often at a friendlier price point - heading to the mountains or the state parks reveals some incredible hidden gems.
Don't be fooled by the "state park" label. Arrowhead Pointe is a magnificent course built on a peninsula in Lake Russell, meaning water is a factor on 15 of the 18 holes. It's often called the "Pebble Beach of the Piedmont" for its stunning water views and challenging green complexes. The value here is unparalleled, offering a championship-caliber experience for a fraction of the cost of premier resort courses.
If you're looking for a true mountain golf experience, Brasstown Valley is the perfect escape. Tucked away in the serene North Georgia mountains, this Denis Griffiths design features significant elevation changes, wandering streams, and stunning valley views. You won't just play golf here, you'll feel like you're on a nature walk. The track is beautifully maintained and offers a nice resort atmosphere.
Georgia proves that you don't need a private membership to enjoy some of the best golf in the country. From Tour-tested coastal links to hidden mountain destinations, the Peach State's public courses offer a diverse and rewarding challenge for every golfer.
As you prepare to play these incredible courses, remember that a solid game plan can make all the difference. Knowing how to play a certain hole or what club to hit in a tough situation is often what separates an enjoyable round from a frustrating one. This is exactly where we believe technology can help a golfer most, and it's why we created Caddie AI. When you're standing on an unfamiliar tee, you can get instant, expert advice on the best strategy. If you find yourself in a tricky lie, you can even snap a photo of your ball to get an in-the-moment recommendation. It serves as your personal caddie and coach, helping you make smarter, more confident decisions so you can focus on simply enjoying the game.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
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