Discover These 5 Budget-Friendly Golf Courses in Georgia
While Georgia is home to possibly the most famous golf course in the world, Augusta National Golf Club, host of the Masters Tournament, you either have to be a member or one of the top golfers in the world to score a tee time there. Fortunately, there are many other courses in Georgia that take full advantage of the natural beauty and rolling landscapes that make up the state's topography.
With warm weather inviting golfers to play nearly year-round, Georgia is the perfect destination for your next golf getaway. These are some of the best, most budget-friendly courses Georgia has to offer.
Highland Walk at Victoria Bryant State Park in Royston, Georgia
Highland Walk Golf Course at Victoria Bryant State Park in Royston
With inexpensive rates, you can golf to your heart’s content at Highland Walk Golf Course at Victoria Bryant State Park in Royston, Georgia. It’s just a few minutes north of Athens, near I-85. Built on steeply rolling hills, the tree-lined course is gorgeous and provides similarly dramatic elevation changes to those that make Augusta National so revered. The tree-lined fairways are especially gorgeous in late fall as the leaves change colors.
At 6,400 yards, it’s built for golfers of all skill levels. Fun, clever architecture found on the split fairway 4th hole and the phenomenal short par 4 17th challenges golfers to take daring risks for the best chance at birdie.
University of Georgia Golf Course in Athens, Georgia
University of Georgia Golf Course
This gem from Robert Trent Jones, Sr. was built at the height of his powers in the 1960s, officially opening for play in 1968. Since then, the University of Georgia Golf Course has hosted numerous NCAA tournaments and several professional tournaments. Courses with this kind of pedigree are often prohibitively expensive, but this course in Athens keeps its green fees low -- $63 to walk on weekends!
The home course to Georgia Bulldog golfers like Brian Harman, Kevin Kisner, Russell Henley and Mr. 59, Chip Beck, this track can stretch out to 7,253 yards. The long par 5 12th requires three precise shots to reach the lakefront green, and the par 3 that follows features a beautiful tee shot over water. To make those precise shots, make sure to bring along your best training aid.
Sea Palms Golf Course on St. Simons Island, Georgia
Sea Palms Golf Course on St. Simons Island
The beautiful Sea Palms Golf Course is located on St. Simons Island on the Georgia coast. One of the best courses that famed architect George Cobb ever designed, Sea Palms is a beautiful course with a stunning finish that’s in great shape after a recent renovation. With lush greens and plenty of water to test your nerves, Sea Palms is a destination course that ranks with the best resort golf courses in the country. But the green fees are half of what you’d expect, and lodging at the attached hotel is surprisingly affordable, too!
Chateau Elan Golf Club in Braselton, Georgia
Chateau Elan Golf Club in Braselton
Chateau Elan Golf Club in Braselton offers two championship-level golf courses as well as a 9-hole par 3 executive course that’s perfect for a warm-up round or a family outing. The Woodlands Course winds its way over the hills and through the country forests, while the Chateau Course is nestled among the lakes of the valley. Both courses are impeccably manicured to country club conditions, but they keep the green fees low and offer generous stay-and-play packages at the stunning attached resort villas.
Little Fishing Creek Golf Course in Milledgeville, Georgia
Little Fishing Creek Golf Course in Milledgeville
It’s hard to find a better course at a better rate than Little Fishing Creek Golf Course. Designed by South African golf legend Gary Player, it’s under $16 to play even on weekends and holidays! For that price, you’d expect boring golf and poor conditions, but Little Fishing Creek in Milledgeville offers numerous interesting holes that take great advantage of the naturally beautiful land it’s built on. They call themselves “the best golf course in Middle Georgia,” and quite frankly, it’s hard to argue with them. Truly a hidden gem at an incredible price.
