Thinking about playing golf in Georgia? The answer is a resounding yes. Beyond being home to the most famous golf tournament on earth, the Peach State is a year-round golfer's paradise packed with stunning landscapes, historic courses, and distinctive southern challenges. This guide will walk you through exactly when to play, where to go, and how to handle the unique styles of golf you'll find in Georgia.
The Year-Round Golf Season in Georgia
One of the best things about golfing in Georgia is that you can truly play 365 days a year. However, each season offers a completely different experience. Understanding the nuances will help you plan the perfect trip.
Spring (March - May): The Peak Season
Spring is, without question, the most iconic time to golf in Georgia. The world turns its eyes to Augusta in April, the azaleas and dogwoods are in full bloom, and the weather is incredible. Temperatures are comfortable, the humidity is low, and the courses are in pristine condition coming out of dormancy.
- Pros: Awe-inspiring beauty, perfect playing temperatures, and courses in their best shape.
- Cons: This is a premium season. Tee time prices will be at their highest, and courses will be at their most crowded, especially around the weeks of The Masters.
- Coach's Tip: Book your tee times well in advance. If you're flexible, consider visiting in late May after the peak spring rush has subsided but before the summer heat fully arrives.
Summer (June - August): Embrace the Early Tee Time
Summer in Georgia is hot and humid, there's no way around it. But that doesn't mean you can't play. It's the perfect time for a dedicated golfer to find great deals and experience lush, green course conditions. The Bermuda grass will be at its peak growth, meaning thick rough and lightning-fast greens.
- Pros: Lower prices on green fees and accommodations. Courses are generally less crowded. Long days mean you can squeeze in late afternoon rounds.
- Cons: Extreme heat and humidity. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, so be ready for weather delays.
- Coach's Tip: Play as early in the morning as you can to beat the heat. Staying hydrated isn't a suggestion, it's a necessity. Drink water on every single hole. Also, pack a rain jacket, an extra-large towel, and a couple of extra gloves to combat the sweat and potential storms.
Fall (September - November): The Golfer's Secret
Many local golfers will tell you that fall is the best time of year to play in Georgia. The brutal summer humidity breaks, the temperatures are crisp and pleasant, and the autumn foliage, especially in the northern parts of the state, creates a spectacular backdrop. Courses have had all summer to mature and are still in fantastic shape.
- Pros: Ideal weather, stunning scenery, and manageable crowds. Pricing is often much better than in spring.
- Cons: Courses begin their overseeding process in late fall, which can lead to cart-path-only restrictions or temporary greens for a short period. It’s always good to call ahead.
- Coach's Tip: This is the perfect season for a 36-hole day. Take advantage of the sublime weather and beautiful course conditions from sunup to sundown.
Winter (December - February): The Off-Season Advantage
While the rest of the country is storing their clubs, Georgia golfers are still on the course. Winter is mild, especially in the southern and coastal regions. The grass goes dormant and turns a brownish tan color, which changes the playing dynamics significantly. The ball will roll out more forgiving you more distance, but the ground will be firm.
- Pros: The absolute best deals on tee times. Courses are wide open, letting you play at your own pace.
- Cons: Dormant grass is less forgiving on thin shots. The days are shorter and it can be chilly, especially for morning rounds.
- Coach's Tip: Because the grass is dormant and the ground is firm, focus on your low game. It’s a great time to practice running chip shots and bump-and-runs instead of high, soft pitches. Wear layers you can easily shed as the day warms up.
Iconic Georgia Golf Regions to Visit
Georgia’s topography is incredibly diverse, stretching from the mountains to the sea. This means you can find just about any style of golf course you want to play.
Augusta: The Home of The Masters
Even though playing Augusta National Golf Club is an impossible dream for most, the city of Augusta is still a golfer's pilgrimage site. The entire area buzzes with a deep respect for the game. You can play courses that give you a taste of that "Masters feel" with rolling hills and towering pines.
Must-Play Public Course: Forest Hills Golf Club. As the home of the Augusta University golf team and a classic Donald Ross design, this course has deep roots in the city's golf history. It’s a wonderful taste of traditional architecture at an accessible price.
The Georgia Coast: A Oceanside Escape
The Atlantic coastline, including areas like Sea Island and St. Simons Island, provides a completely different golf experience. Here you'll find sprawling resorts with top-tier courses that are defined by wind, marshlands, and ancient live oaks. It's a test of precision and wind-management.
Flagship Destination: Sea Island. With three world-class courses - Seaside, Plantation, and Retreat - it’s considered one of the top golf resorts on the planet. The Seaside Course, home to the PGA Tour's RSM Classic, is a links-style masterpiece winding along the ocean a must play for any serious golfer.
Atlanta Metro: A Hub of Variety and Access
The Atlanta area is a sprawling metropolis with an incredible density of golf. You can find everything from elite private clubs that have hosted PGA Championships to phenomenal and affordable daily-fee courses. You could spend a month here and play a different, high-quality course every single day.
Unique Experience: Bear's Best Atlanta. This is a unique concept course in Suwanee, where Jack Nicklaus selected 18 of a favorite designed holes from his courses around the world and laid them out on a single property. It's like taking a greatest-hits tour of the Golden Bear's legendary career.
Playing Guide to Classic Georgia Golf
Georgia golf has a distinct feel. The terrain is dominated by rolling hills and dense pine forests, and most courses feature Bermudagrass. Understanding how to play these specific conditions is your secret to shooting lower scores here.
Bermudagrass: Friend and Foe
Bermuda is a fantastic playing surface, but it's tricky if you're not used to it. The grass has a distinct "grain," meaning the blades grow in a particular direction. This grain dramatically affects chipping and putting.
Mastering Bermuda Greens
The main thing you need to understand is that the grain will either speed up or slow down your putt.
- Into the Grain: When the grass is growing towards you, it creates more resistance. The surface will look dull or dark. Putts into the grain will be significantly slower - be aggressive!
- With the Grain: When the grass is growing away from you, there is less resistance. The surface will have a glossy sheen. Putts with the grain will be much faster. You'll just need to breathe on the ball to get it to the hole.
A good guideline: In Georgia, grain tends to grow towards the setting sun and towards the nearest water source.
Navigating Pine-Lined Fairways
The tall Georgia pines that line most historical fairways are both beautiful and tactical. They don’t just define the hole, they challenge your decision-making.
A smart player in Georgia doesn't always aim for the middle of the fairway. Instead, you need to think about which side of the fairway gives you the best angle for your approach shot to the green. If the pin is tucked on the right side of the green, the ideal place to be is often the left side of the fairway. Work the ball. Teeing off with a slight draw or fade can open up the entire hole.
Managing Elevation Changes
From the rolling piedmont around Atlanta to the foothills of North Georgia, you’ll rarely find a flat lie. Elevation changes not only affect your stance but also your club selection.
Simple rule for clubbing:
- Add one club for every 15 feet of elevation gain to your target. For an uphill shot to the green that would normally be a 150-yard, 8-iron shot for example, the elevation might make it play like a 165-yard shot - requiring a 7-iron instead.
- Subtract one club for every 15 feet of elevation drop.
Being good at estimating elevation and adjusting is a huge part of scoring well on Georgia's hilly courses.
Final Thoughts
Georgia offers a deep, rich, and wonderfully varied golf experience that goes far beyond its most famous course. From coastal links to historic parkland designs, it's a state that delivers incredible golf 12 months a year for players of any skill level and budget.
Navigating the unique challenges of Georgia golf - like reading grainy Bermuda greens or picking the right club for a dramatic elevation change - is where playing smart makes all the difference. We designed Caddie AI to be your personal on-course expert for exactly these situations. When you're facing a tough approach shot on an unfamiliar course, you can get an instant club recommendation. If you ever find yourself in some of that thick Bermuda rough, snap a picture and we can provide the best strategy for getting out of trouble and saving your score.