Great Waters
7,048 yard, par 72;
Greens fee: $195
Great Waters opened in 1992 and was designed by Jack Nicklaus during his architectural transition from unrestrained torturer to tempered artist. It shows. Some of the holes at Great Waters seem to emerge right out of the lake, and are so idyllic that you can see yourself swapping places with that fellow lazing along in his fishing boat about 200 yards offshore. The lake provides a stage for some memorable moments, including a gorgeous approach over the water from a plateau in the ninth fairway (a 3-wood off the tee will leave you about 160 yards) to a green sitting well below you. The closing holes -- the par-3 17th and par-5 18th -- are serene but force you to decide just how much you want to challenge Lake Oconee.
The National
Bluff: 3,528 yards, par 36
Cove: 3,538 yards, par 36
Ridge: 3,487 yards, par 36
Greens fee: $165
Think of this terrific Tom Fazio 27 as the Place You're Very Likely to Have Augusta National Fantasies. With the heaving terrain and abundant flora, you will be forgiven if you make Henry Longhurst-style descriptions as your shots arc toward the pin. How the heck do those pine trees get that tall anyway?
The Oconee Course
7,029 yards, par 72
Greens fee: $260
Named for Lake Oconee (the state's second largest), this Rees Jones canvas is mighty fine. The course roars to life on the back nine. The 380-yard 12th and 447-yard 16th holes jangle the nerves all the way with creeks that run the length of the hole then slash across in front of the green. And how big is that bunker to the right of the par-3 13th? Let's just say you have your choice of 22 rakes. The final hole is a champ, a 443-yard par 4 (from the human tees; from the tips it's a bruising 485 yards) that avoids the now cliched modern-day "must" of finishing with a par 5. The dramatic approach is to a green that hugs the lake. Pin left? It's a sucker all the way.
Plantation Course
6,698 yards, par 72
Greens fee: $165
A GOLF MAGAZINE Top 10 new course in 1991, this sporty little number is the joint intellectual property of former U.S Open champions Hubert Green, Fuzzy Zoeller and, most importantly, Bob Cupp. Despite its auspicious debut, Plantation has almost become the forgotten sibling at Reynolds, but while it lacks the dramatic setting--and the bite--of the Oconee and Great Waters tracks, you will enjoy every divot of it.
