Georgia isn't just the
hilly, forested, home of
the Masters — savvy
golfers have long flocked to the
state's eastern shore, between
Savannah and Jacksonville, Fla.,
where a taste of the Lowcountry
awaits. And the prices aren't too bad, either.
BEST UNDER $100
1. The Hampton Club
St. Simons Island
6,465 yards, par 72; $95;
912-634-0255, hamptonclub.com
This short but handsome 1989 Joe Lee design is located on marshland and carved from stands of ancient oaks drenched in Spanish moss. Water and doglegs will keep you anxious, but if you've got any game at all, play it from the tips. The Hampton Club is an idyllic retreat, with several tees and greens accessible only via long wooden bridges that traverse dense marshland. Most memorable are the 570-yard, par-5 third hole, which has marsh down the entire left side and a lake near the green, and the 386-yard, par-4 13th, which hops across the marsh via islands of turf.
2. Jekyll Island Resort
(Pine Lakes), Jekyll Island
6,620 yards, par 72;
$40-$58;
912-635-2368 jekyllisland.com
3. Oak Grove Island
Golf Club, Brunswick
6,945 yards, par 72; $51;
912-280-9525, oakgroveislandgolf.com
4. Jekyll Island Resort
(Oleander), Jekyll Island
6,521 yards, par 72; $40-$58;
912-635-2368, jekyllisland.com
5. Sea Palms Resort
(Great Oaks/Tall Pines), St. Simons Island
6,658 yards, par 71; $84;
912-638-3351, seapalms.com
BEST UNDER $50
1. Laurel Island Links
Kingsland
7,029 yards, par 72; $39-$49;
912-729-7277, laurelislandlinks.com
Laurel Island Links was Davis Love III's second design effort, and he managed to craft a near-perfect municipal course, with ample landing areas to accommodate all levels of players. Forced carries are at a minimum, and the greens are mostly open in front. But it's still a sturdy test for the strong player via heaving greens. If all this sounds pretty benign, just try making pars on the two closing holes, a boldly bunkered, 182-yard par-3 and a lakeguarded, 464-yard par-4.
BEST UNDER $100
1. The Hampton Club
St. Simons Island
6,465 yards, par 72; $95;
912-634-0255, hamptonclub.com
This short but handsome 1989 Joe Lee design is located on marshland and carved from stands of ancient oaks drenched in Spanish moss. Water and doglegs will keep you anxious, but if you've got any game at all, play it from the tips. The Hampton Club is an idyllic retreat, with several tees and greens accessible only via long wooden bridges that traverse dense marshland. Most memorable are the 570-yard, par-5 third hole, which has marsh down the entire left side and a lake near the green, and the 386-yard, par-4 13th, which hops across the marsh via islands of turf.
2. Jekyll Island Resort
(Pine Lakes), Jekyll Island
6,620 yards, par 72;
$40-$58;
912-635-2368 jekyllisland.com
3. Oak Grove Island
Golf Club, Brunswick
6,945 yards, par 72; $51;
912-280-9525, oakgroveislandgolf.com
4. Jekyll Island Resort
(Oleander), Jekyll Island
6,521 yards, par 72; $40-$58;
912-635-2368, jekyllisland.com
5. Sea Palms Resort
(Great Oaks/Tall Pines), St. Simons Island
6,658 yards, par 71; $84;
912-638-3351, seapalms.com
BEST UNDER $50
1. Laurel Island Links
Kingsland
7,029 yards, par 72; $39-$49;
912-729-7277, laurelislandlinks.com
Laurel Island Links was Davis Love III's second design effort, and he managed to craft a near-perfect municipal course, with ample landing areas to accommodate all levels of players. Forced carries are at a minimum, and the greens are mostly open in front. But it's still a sturdy test for the strong player via heaving greens. If all this sounds pretty benign, just try making pars on the two closing holes, a boldly bunkered, 182-yard par-3 and a lakeguarded, 464-yard par-4.
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