By Mike May
Golfers heading to Florida for late Winter or early Spring golf must drive through the ‘Great State of Georgia.’ Did you know that in addition to Augusta National and Reynolds Lake Oconee, the Peach State has some of the best public golf that can be found anywhere.
Most golfers will never be able to set foot on the iconic Augusta National Golf Club, but they can play courses that traverse similar terrain at several locations throughout the state.
The 90th edition of the Masters Tournament is scheduled for April 9-12, 2026. If you are planning to attend “This Tradition Unlike Any Other,” with your golf clubs in the trunk, now is the time to plan your trip to the Peach State and book tee times along The Georgia Golf Trail.
With dogwoods and red buds blooming Georgia is the perfect place to lose a few golf balls in late March, or early April.
Golfers should give strong consideration to the four Georgia state park golf courses. The Lakes Golf Course at the Laura S. Walker State Park in Waycross, the Wallace Adams Golf Course inside the Little Ocmulgee State Park in McRae, the Creek Golf Course at the Hard Labor State Park in Social Circle, and Brazell’s Creek at the Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park in Reidsville.
“Each of those state parks have modern cabins for overnight accommodations,” said Doug Hollandsworth, Founder, The Georgia Golf Trail. “These cabins are designed with the visiting golfer in mind as they are clean, comfortable, spacious, and affordable.”
The Lakes features large, undulating greens with majestic loblolly pines scattered throughout the course, just like Augusta National.
The Wallace Adams Golf Course is actually nicknamed ‘Little Augusta.’ The course is also dominated by loblolly pines which divide many of the fairways from one another. The pine straw, under the trees, seems to be imported from the famed home of The Masters. The newly renovated lodge is a comfortable housing option.
The Creek Golf Course also reminds golfers of Augusta with its tall pines and rolling hills.
At Brazell’s Creek, the holes on the front nine are tree-lined and the greens have creative contours while the back nine was built on a windswept open landscape. The front and back nine are two different experiences. A scenic 1,500-yard winding bridge built through a canopy of trees connects the front nine with the back nine.
If you have time, consider concluding your Masters golf trip with a few days of rest and relaxation on Jekyll Island, located in southeast Georgia.
“Jekyll Island is a great place in Georgia to unwind and relax while enjoying golf, fresh seafood, and time off the grid,” said Hollandsworth.
The Jekyll Island Golf Club features three 18-hole golf courses (Indian Mound, Pine Lakes, and Great Dunes). Great Dunes, with picturesque oceanside views was recently renovated and just re-opened in November, 2025.
To learn more about The Georgia Golf Trail, access www.GeorgiaGolfandTravel.com for more details.
