St. Simons Island

Accommodations:

Sea Palms Resort

Location:

Sea Palms
Special note: All three nines at Sea Palms have recently been renovated as part of a $3.5 million facelift that began three years ago. Some of the improvements include complete resurfacing of greens and fairways, new cart paths, a state-of-the-art irrigation system and improvements to bunkers and lagoons. The greens were replanted with Tift Eagle, a new strain of Bermuda that provides consistent putting surfaces.                                            

Tall Pines
This nine has the narrowest fairways and they are tree-lined. Originally designed by George Cobb in 1967, this track measures 3253 from the back tees. Don’t let the lack of length fool you. The third hole is a devilish par 3, especially from the blue tees. 184 yards that plays through a chute of trees, over water to a green with a lot of slopes. From green and red tees, it is only mildly easier. Make sure you don't hit it to the right because you'll find your ball in a sand trap or behind an ominous Oak Tree.
Great Oaks
This nine also designed by Cobb in 1967 is the shorter of the two original nines, but demands accuracy. For example: The 550-yard 7th hole is a beauty to navigate. One of our most memorable tee shots awaits you here with a 200-year live oak tree on the left that you must negotiate. The second shot must be in the center of the fairway, to avoid another huge oak on the right side of the fairway. A par 5 on Great Oak #7 is a great score!
West Course
Here you will find only 2945 yards, but water comes into play on every hole except one. Tom Jackson added this nine in 1974 and the signature hole is #2, a 132-yard par 3 that requires a shot over a pond with a scenic fountain. Another favorite is the fourth. From the white & blue tee boxes this is a difficult par 4. The drive needs to be down the center of the fairway due to the large oak tree blocking the left side of the fly zone. If you have a slice your drive most likely will end up in the woods. Your second shot is a long one anywhere from 170 to 215. The green is surrounded with bunkers from the front right to the back right side and the left side with a lagoon.

The Hampton Club
On the site of an 18th-century plantation of the same name, this Joe Lee design is situated on 300 acres of oak and pine at the northernmost tip of St. Simon Island. In 1989, Lee created this beauty and if you avoid the large oaks, lakes and marshes and you’ll have a great round. Fat chance of that happening when you try to negotiate the Club’s four signature holes: 12,13,14,15. You will not believe the island-to-island landing areas where you literally go out of bounds along 800 feet of elevated cart bridges that span creek and marsh. Hit the right spot and you're golden, if not you're alligator bait. GOLF Magazine listed this course among its Top Ten New Resort Courses the very first year it opened for play and it has only gotten better with age.

Laurel Island Links
Designed by Davis Love III in 1996, is located in Kingsland and owned by the city. This may be one of the best muni courses you will every find. This course, carved out marshland, but has rolling terrain. It is in harmony with nature. A definite challenge! It is rare when you find the combination of affordable rates, easy public access with a challenging golf layout and in country club condition. The course design takes advantage of heavy woodland tracts, stretches of salt marshes and natural wetlands. It is built along the banks of the Crooked River as it works it way to the Atlantic Ocean. If you are able to negotiate your way through the first 17 holes, then beware of the 18th. Measuring 466 yards, this par 4 demands a long accurate tee shot and an approach to a tricky putting surface protected by water on the left and two huge bunkers left and front. DL3 designed his course much like his game. Straight up and hard, but fair, just like Davis.

Osprey Cove Golf Club
Rated 4 stars by Golf Digest, is a meticulously groomed links-style Mark McCumber creation. Located in St. Mary’s a short hop down I-95. Rated the #1 Daily Fee Course in Georgia by Golf News. It is a joy to play! Set among Georgia Pines, pristine salt marshes and a variety of wildlife, this track offers a panorama of natural beauty. The greens are relatively small and surrounded by small bunkers. It is likely that you will stray into a sand bunker rather that water hazards. Overall the course is very fair with tree-lined fairways with generous landing areas. The signature hole is #18, a 500-yard par 5 that requires a carry over a marsh area in front of the green. This 1990 creation also features inlayed stone cart paths and wooden bridges, which blend into the rustic scenery. At the end of each nine, you’ll find yourself atop the unique 9th and 18th double green. Pretty cool!
 

Sapelo Hammock Golf Club
This 1999 design, by Rusty Simmons ... his first solo effort, is a winner. Another coastal track located on a scenic bluff overlooking oak-lined fairways and lush, undulating greens. It is a very difficult challenge to not only conquer the course, but also to keep your attention from drifting to all the beauty. The course was built on 200 acres of beautiful marshes, live Oak and Loblolly Pine filled land. Just off the Sapelo River and intracoastal waterway, the course features Champion Bermuda Greens. The front nine is relatively tame until you come to #9, a very tough par 5. The back holes have more trees and marshland. #17 is the signature hole. The par 3 is 189 yards and features a natural island hammock. When building this hole, only trees were cleared to preserve the scenic beauty.