Seaside
Plantation kept greens and fairways , and a challenge — you ’ ll have to go toe-to-toe with the ever-changing wind coming in from the coast . If you visit in mid-November , you can catch the PGA Tour ’ s RSM Classic , which is played on two courses — three rounds are on Seaside .
Tom Fazio redesigned the old ninehole Seaside course ( original 1929 course architects were Harry S . Colt and Charles Alison ) and merged it with the neighboring nine-hole track , Marshside . The end result pays homage to the Golden Isles ’ marsh and sea views . Stop at hole 13 for a picture — it ’ s a fan favorite due to scenic views .
Seaside ’ s counterpart for the RSM Classic , Plantation , was redesigned in 2019 by two brothers , Davis and Mark Love . Efforts to modernize their childhood course included keeping some of its traditional design elements , but opening it up for more accessible , all-level play .
No . 7 offers the largest green on the course . This short , island par 3 is a challenge for even the best green-readers .
Both Seaside and Plantation are located at The Lodge . Enjoy lunch or dinner and a cocktail at The Oak Room , The Lodge ’ s restaurant . If you can ’ t get enough golf — or if you ’ re traveling with kids — there is also an 18-hole putting course , The Speedway , perfect for practicing your short game or passing time before dinner . An added feature is a bagpipe player every evening at 7 p . m .
King and Prince isn ’ t a course to be overlooked while on St . Simons . Originally built in 1989 by Joe Lee and redesigned in 2009 by Billy Fuller , this course has been consistently rated as one of Georgia ’ s top courses . The marshlands are folded nicely into the course layout and create a series of marsh islands . Watch out for No . 14 , a challenging par 5 with marshlands down one side and a dangerous fairway water hazard .
Pine Lakes
JEKYLL ISLAND
The southernmost gem of the Golden Isles , Jekyll Island used to be a private island that was purchased for millionaires during the 1880s until WWII . Names like Rockefeller , Carnegie , Goodyear and Astor all stayed and played on Jekyll Island . In 1947 , it was purchased by the state of Georgia and is now a state park accessible for everyone with accommodations that run the gamut from standard to luxury .
For a luxury stay , check out Jekyll Island Club Resort , which is now a National His-