Golf in Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia, is home to one of the world’s most famous golf courses – but the closest you’ll ever get to it is by driving up Washington Road just four miles from the centre of Augusta, or by watching the US Masters on the box.

Being exclusively private, the Augusta National course is closed to members of the public – but that doesn’t mean golf in Georgia comes to a standstill. Augusta itself is quite simply swamped by golf courses, some of them intensely private, others more open to visitors and welcoming in a sort of uniquely American fashion.

For example, Forest Hills is particularly famous among the locals and it, like the National, is just a ten-minute drive from the centre of Augusta. The Augusta Country Club is the next-door neighbour to the National and is a private club. That said, it is possible to secure tee times but you need to speak to the write people!

Savannah is also a great place to play golf in Georgia. The likes of Savannah Harbour, Southbridge and the unforgettable Lost Plantation are simply too good to miss.

Make sure you do not stick solely to the famous names or the more frequented locations when touring Georgia. The area is, in fact, a bustling golf destination of sorts and deserves more respect than it currently receives. The likes of Atlanta, Duluth, Albany, Newnan, Cumming and Columbus are exciting places for a round of golf and, should you book your trip through a reputed golf tour operator, this trip of a lifetime should not cost you an arm and a leg. Search carefully and you’ll come across some superb deals.

Be warded, however, that this part of the state is particularly well-known for its private golf course and not every course will allow a visitor to just turn up and pay. You may have to book your tee time in advance – you have been warned.

Other than that, the accommodation is typically American so expect everything to be handed to you on a plate with a big smile. The weather is also pretty sensational during the summer time, but it can be patchy in the colder months so you may want to choose your timing carefully.