​Augusta National stands as a crown jewel for Georgia, a storied club whose gates remain open only to those fortunate enough to receive an invitation. Yet the state is home to several outstanding public-access layouts that consistently earn national recognition. Golfweek recently unveiled its annual ranking of the top 100 courses in the United States, a list shaped by a panel that continually assesses courses and evaluates them against ten distinct criteria. Among the 100, three Georgia courses earned spots, signaling that the state offers notable value for public players seeking championship-caliber experiences.
Seaside Golf Course at Sea Island is ranked No. 30 on Golfweek’s list. Designed by a collaboration of famed names—Charles J. Alison, Harry S. Colt, Joe Lee, and Tom Fazio—Seaside offers the classic coastal Georgia layout long praised for its strategic challenge and pristine conditioning. Although Sea Island Resort manages the operation, Seaside sits on St. Simons Island at 100 Retreat Ave. The course is currently closed through October 18 for a restoration project and is slated to reopen on October 19 with staggered tee times: nine holes available for $315, eighteen holes for $425, and replays for $290. For the latest details and booking, prospective players can visit seaisland.com/experience/activities/seaside.
The Keep at McLemore is listed at No. 31. This course is part of McLemore Resort, located in Rising Fawn in the northwest corner of Georgia, roughly 27 miles southwest of Chattanooga. The Keep was designed by Rees Jones and Bill Bergin, and it offers a rugged, scenic layout that tests players with elevation changes and natural terrain features. Those interested in playing can request information or tee-time details through themclemore.com.
Great Waters at Reynolds Lake Oconee appears at No. 97 on the list. This course resides in Eatonton at 112 Great Waters Dr., about 21 miles north of Buckhead and roughly 27 miles north of Milledgeville. Great Waters was designed by Jack Nicklaus and is celebrated for its lakefront beauty and strategic, risk-reward holes that reward thoughtful shot-making. For tee-time inquiries, visitors can reach Reynolds Lake Oconee through reynoldslakeoconee.com/contact.
Beyond Georgia, Golfweek’s top 100 features other renowned public courses that attract visitors from near and far. Pebble Beach Resorts’ Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California; Bandon Dunes Golf Resort’s Pacific Dunes course in Bandon, Oregon; Pinehurst Resort’s No. 2 course in Pinehurst, North Carolina; and Kohler’s Whistling Straits (Straits) in Mosel, Wisconsin, are among the celebrated destinations often cited in national rankings and enthusiasts’ wish lists. Additional Bandon properties—Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Trails)—also appear on lists that frequently shape public-player itineraries for those looking to combine tourism with top-tier golf.
For context and ongoing updates, Miguel Legoas, a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today, covers these stories and can be reached via Instagram at @miguelegoas or by email at mlegoas@gannett.com. This coverage originally appeared in the Augusta Chronicle under the headline that Augusta isn’t the only golf hot spot, highlighting three Georgia courses that cracked Golfweek’s top 100—an encouraging sign for public golfers seeking high-caliber rounds within the state.
If you’re planning an itinerary around Georgia golf, these courses offer compelling options that balance accessibility with the opportunity to experience routes that frequently appear on national top-100 ballots. Whether you’re drawn by coastal vistas, rolling farmland landscapes, or wooded foothills, Georgia’s public courses provide memorable rounds and strong value alongside its famed private clubs.