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St. Simons Island, Georgia

Sea Island Golf Club - Plantation Course

Golf Digest Top 100 Public·#46

A meticulously reimagined Golden Age masterpiece where Davis Love III and his brother transformed an underperformer into a world-class resort course.

About the Course

The Plantation course at Sea Island represents one of Georgia's most significant golf renovations in recent memory. Inspired by Walter Travis's original 1928 nine-hole design, brothers Davis and Mark Love completely rebuilt the course in 2019, stripping away modern excess to celebrate Golden Age architecture. What emerged is a parkland course routed through towering Georgia longleaf pines and native oaks, punctuated by strategic water hazards that frame tidal creeks and salt marshes. The result is approachable yet engaging—fairways are generous and greens invite multiple approaches, but bunker placement and water hazards demand precision. Fewer bunkers than the previous iteration mean the course now celebrates variety and playability over intimidation. It's the thoughtful companion to its legendary sister, the Seaside Course.

Groupscome here for the total resort experience: championship golf, world-class instruction at the Golf Performance Center, expert caddies who know every nuance of the layout, and the option to walk the course with a guide. The 7,058-yard par-72 plays fairly across all handicap levels thanks to eight tee areas. Strategic short par-4s demand club selection acumen; half-par holes add fun and relief. The finishing stretch tightens considerably, ending with a challenging closer that rewards aggressive play.

Stay at The Lodge (a Forbes Five-Star boutique hideaway) or The Inn (a more casual but still luxury option), and you'll find yourself in one of America's most storied golf communities—home to more PGA Tour pros than any other destination in the U.S. The course hosts the PGA TOUR's RSM Classic alongside Seaside, and the whole operation hums with Southern hospitality and meticulous attention to detail. This is sophisticated resort golf without pretension.

Why It's Great for Groups
  • Recently redesigned by Davis Love III using Golden Age principles—no gimmicks, just strategic fun that plays true to the property
  • Host of the PGA TOUR's RSM Classic (Thursday and Friday rounds), bringing tournament-grade conditioning and prestige
  • Expert caddie program included in rates—walking with a professional caddie transforms your round into a guided experience
  • Stays accessible to all skill levels through eight tee areas and a design philosophy that emphasizes playability over brutality
  • Complete resort ecosystem: world-class Golf Performance Center for instruction, Forbes Five-Star lodging on-site, and a community of PGA Tour professionals who call Sea Island home
Courses on Property
Plantation Course18 holes · Par 72

7,058-yard Golden Age-inspired parkland redesigned by Davis Love III in 2019, featuring strategic water and bunkers amid live oaks and marshes.

Seaside Course18 holes · Par 70

6,945-yard legendary links-style course originally by Colt & Alison, redesigned by Tom Fazio in 1999, with views of St. Simons Sound and ocean.

Retreat Course18 holes · Par 72

6,490-yard parkland course redesigned by Davis Love III in 2001, featuring dramatic green complexes among longleaf pines and oaks.

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Key Details
💰
Green Fees
$450/person est.
🚶
Walking Friendly
Yes
🎒
Caddies Available
Yes
📅
Best Time to Visit
April through May and October through November offer the ideal balance of comfortable temperatures (60-75°F in spring, mild in fall) and firm, fast greens. These periods avoid the intense Georgia summer humidity and provide excellent course conditioning. Spring features blooming azaleas and dogwoods; fall brings the PGA TOUR's RSM Classic in late November. Avoid June through September due to heat and humidity; winter (December-March) is playable but less ideal.
ResortParklandChampionshipCaddies AvailableWalking OnlyMajor VenueOcean ViewsWaterfrontHistoric
Stay on Property
The Lodge at Sea Island is a 43-room Forbes Five-Star boutique hotel with an English country manor aesthetic, offering rooms and cottages with views of the golf courses and St. Simons Sound, plus butler service. The Inn at Sea Island is a more casual 85-room property with a heated pool, free breakfast, and Topgolf Swing Suite. Sea Island Cottages range from 3-8 bedrooms for families seeking privacy. All lodging provides full access to three courses.

The Lodge at Sea Island is a 43-room Forbes Five-Star boutique hotel with an English country manor aesthetic, offering rooms and cottages with views of the golf courses and St. Simons Sound, plus butler service. The Inn at Sea Island is a more casual 85-room property with a heated pool, free breakfast, and Topgolf Swing Suite. Sea Island Cottages range from 3-8 bedrooms for families seeking privacy. All lodging provides full access to three courses.

Nearby Lodging