The Georgia Golf Trail Awaits Your Arrival

Geographically diverse destinations with stunning sights and sounds. Those descriptive phrases are the best way to summarize the appeal of playing golf at any of the 20+ golf courses along the Georgia Golf Trail which stretches from Sky Valley Country Club in North Georgia to The Lakes Course at the Laura S. Walker State Park in South Georgia.

“The Georgia Golf Trail’s strength is its diversity of golf destinations, ranging from mountain golf to coastal golf and everything in between,” said Doug Hollandsworth, founder of the trail. You’ll also find world-class resorts like the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and Callaway Gardens & Resort throughout the state.”

Here are a few of my favorite memories along the Peach State’s many pathways to Old Man Par to illustrate the dynamic variety of The Georgia Golf Trail:

Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge (McRae, Georgia)

The Wallace Adams Golf Course reminds its visitors of what the Augusta National Golf Club looks like.  This golf course is dominated by loblolly pines which divide many of the fairways from one another, especially on the back nine.  And, the pine straw beneath the trees is maintained in a similar way as the internationally known course that hosts the Masters each April.  While standing on the tees of the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 10th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th holes, the only thing missing are the cameras from CBS and thousands of patrons.

Callaway Gardens & Resort (Pine Mountain, Georgia)

At Callaway Gardens & Resort, there are two 18-hole golf courses:  Mountain View and Lake View.  The signature hole at Lake View is the par-three 10th hole, which features an island tee and a serpentine bridge which crosses part of Mountain Creek Lake.  This is a selfie ‘hot-spot.’  A birdie at the 10th is a memory maker.  As you transition from the 10thgreen to the 11th tee, you’ll pass a rustic-looking two-story building that is the original golf clubhouse at Callaway Gardens & Resort.  While it’s still an operational facility, it’s been transformed.  On the top story is a fine dining option – The Gardens Restaurant.

The signature hole at Mountain View is the par-five 6th, where the tee shot and the approach shot to a raised green are played over water.  It usually takes three shots to reach the green.  To play the 6th at Mountain View, it helps to be a shotmaker.

Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa (Young Harris, Georgia)

The 1st hole at Brasstown Valley is an attention getter and demands maximum concentration.  The tee shot at the first is struck from a raised tee to a fairway which sits well below the tee box.  There is a carry, but it’s not as long as it looks.  It’s a tee shot which you will want to hit well since the hang time will be significant.  Tee it high and let it fly!

Creek Golf Course at Hard Labor Creek State Park (Social Circle, Georgia)

The most memorable hole at The Creek is its signature hole – the par-three, 5th hole.  Here, the backdrop behind the green is worth a photo or two.  The backdrop is a water wheel and a bridge that makes it one of the most peaceful and picturesque backdrops along The Georgia Golf Trail.  It’s worth noting that Golf Digest Frugal Golfer has listed The Creek as the “4th sweetest deal in the USA.”  The Creek awaits your arrival.

Lakemont Course at the Stone Mountain Golf Club (Atlanta, Georgia)

The first hole at the Lakemont course at the Stone Mountain Golf Club is a double-dogleg par five.  The opening tee shot is completely over water.  Consider giving and receiving a mulligan at the first.  Once you reach Lakemont’s 1st green, the view is stunning.  From the putting surface, you can see the famous Stone Mountain Memorial Carving which features the head shots of three Confederate Civil War Heroes:  General Robert E. Lee, General Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson, and former President Jefferson Davis.

You now have great reasons and an incentive to make a trip to the 20+ golf courses along The Georgia Golf Trail — this year and beyond.  If it’s your first visit, I can guarantee you that it won’t be your last.  The Georgia Golf Trail awaits your arrival.

For more information, visit exploregeorgia.org