There are golf vacations, and then there are golf adventures. The Georgia Golf Trail falls squarely into the second category. Instead of staying in one place for a few rounds, the trail encourages golfers to hit the road and experience some of Georgia’s most memorable courses and destinations. From coastal marshes to mountain views and historic Southern cities, every stop offers something a little different.
The beauty of the Georgia Golf Trail is that it isn’t just about checking courses off a list. It’s about discovering the places in between, enjoying great food, meeting friendly people, and experiencing the kind of Southern hospitality that keeps golfers coming back year after year.
Doug Hollandsworth, founder of the Georgia Golf Trail, describes the experience this way: “Southern charm and hospitality await you on The Georgia Golf Trail, home to breathtaking golf courses and magnificent resorts from the mountains to the sea.” That simple idea has helped create one of the Southeast’s most enjoyable golf travel experiences.
A Golf Journey Built for Travelers
Rather than promoting a single resort or region, Hollandsworth created the Georgia Golf Trail to showcase the incredible variety found throughout the state. Whether your ideal trip includes mountain golf, coastal scenery, or a few days exploring one of America’s most beautiful cities, the trail makes it easy to combine them into one unforgettable vacation.
As Hollandsworth explains, “The Georgia Golf Trail brings together many of the state’s premier golf destinations, allowing visitors to experience the very best Georgia has to offer.”
That philosophy is what makes the trail so appealing. Every stop feels different, giving golfers a fresh experience each time they tee it up.
Jekyll Island Club Resort
Few places combine history, scenery, and golf quite like Jekyll Island Club Resort. Located along Georgia’s Atlantic coast, the resort is home to the renowned Jekyll Island Golf Club, where four distinct 18-hole courses wind through ancient live oaks, salt marshes, and maritime forests.
Wildlife sightings are common, and it’s not unusual to spot deer, egrets, or even alligators during a round. After golf, visitors can relax on the island’s beaches, explore the historic district, or enjoy fresh coastal seafood. It is a destination that feels wonderfully removed from everyday life while remaining easy to reach.
Sky Valley
High in the North Georgia mountains, Sky Valley offers a completely different golf experience. The course features dramatic elevation changes, cool mountain air, and spectacular views that stretch for miles.
Designed by Bill Watts, Sky Valley rewards golfers who can control their distances while providing scenery that often steals the show. During the summer months, temperatures are noticeably cooler than much of the South, making it an ideal escape for golfers looking to beat the heat.
The surrounding mountain community also offers hiking, waterfalls, local wineries, and charming small-town restaurants, making it easy to fill the hours between rounds.
Callaway Resort & Gardens
For decades, Callaway Resort & Gardens has been one of Georgia’s premier golf destinations. The resort features two championship layouts—Mountain View and Lake View—that provide distinctly different tests while sharing the same outstanding conditioning.
Beyond the golf, Callaway is known for its beautiful gardens, walking trails, lakes, and year-round attractions. It is equally popular with golfers and non-golfers, making it an excellent destination for couples or families traveling together.
Doug Hollandsworth has often emphasized that the Georgia Golf Trail offers much more than great golf. “You’ll see that there’s as much to do for non-golfers as there is to do on the golf course for golfers,” he says. That description fits Callaway Resort & Gardens perfectly.
The Landings
Located just outside Savannah on Skidaway Island, The Landings Golf & Athletic Club is one of the Southeast’s most respected golf communities. With multiple championship courses designed by architects including Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills, and Willard Byrd, it offers tremendous variety for golfers who enjoy playing several rounds during the same trip.
Towering live oaks, winding waterways, and beautiful marsh scenery create a peaceful setting that perfectly captures the character of Georgia’s coast. Every course has its own personality, ensuring that no two rounds feel alike.
Savannah
Although Savannah is famous for its historic squares, beautiful architecture, and centuries-old oak trees draped with Spanish moss, it has also become an essential stop along the Georgia Golf Trail.
Many golfers choose to stay in Savannah while playing nearby courses, then spend their evenings exploring River Street, touring historic homes, enjoying outstanding restaurants, or simply walking through the city’s picturesque downtown.
The combination of championship golf during the day and one of America’s most charming cities at night makes Savannah one of the most memorable destinations on the trail. It’s easy to understand why so many visitors end up extending their stay by another day or two.
A Golf Trip You’ll Remember Long After the Final Round
One of the reasons the Georgia Golf Trail continues to grow in popularity is that every destination offers its own unique personality. You can spend one day playing mountain golf at Sky Valley, head south to the gardens and resort atmosphere of Callaway, continue to the coastal beauty of Jekyll Island, experience championship golf at The Landings, and wrap up the journey by enjoying everything Savannah has to offer.
Doug Hollandsworth’s vision has always been about more than great golf courses. It is about creating memorable travel experiences that celebrate Georgia’s landscapes, history, hospitality, and people.
For golfers looking for a road trip filled with outstanding golf, beautiful scenery, and authentic Southern charm, the Georgia Golf Trail delivers an experience that’s difficult to match. Once you’ve played these remarkable destinations, you’ll likely find yourself planning the next trip before you’ve even unpacked your clubs.
