I have to admit, I was really impressed by the number of golf courses and clubs around Lake Hartwell! So many, in fact, that I’ve broken them into separate articles by state. While I’d rather watch (with a cold drink in my hand) than play, most of our family and friends enjoy actually playing the game. If you fall into the latter category, here are our top recommendations for courses on the Georgia side of the Lake. Notice that we have several nationally recognized courses surrounding Lake Hartwell!
As greens fees and hours of operation are subject change, please be sure to call for current rates. As you can imagine, most of these courses are very popular and tee times must be reserved in advance – please see the contact information below for tee time reservations.
I’ll start with a local favorite, Cateechee Golf Club in Hartwell, GA, because it’s so close to our home, has a beautiful clubhouse and boasts a great restaurant called The Waterfall Grille. Even if you don’t play golf, you’ll want to consider lunch or dinner here!
- Semi-private 18 hole course – 6,927 yards, par 72.
- Named a “four star” golf destination by Golf Digest and certified as an Audobon Signature Course.
- Open 7 Days a Week.
- Greens Fees from $64.00 to $74.00, including golf cart.
- Amenities include pro shop and practice facility; 9th hole snack bar; clubhouse, bar & restaurant.
- www.cateechee.com or (706) 856-GOLF.
- Located at 140 Cateechee Trail, Hartwell, GA 30643.
Hartwell is also home to Hartwell Golf Club, an 18 hole course with a convenient “close to town” location.
- Semi-private 18 hole course - 5,855 yards, par 71.
- Open 7 Days a Week.
- Greens Fees from $13.00 to $15.50. Cart fees from $13.00 to $15.50.
- Amenities include pro shop & snack bar; lessons and clinics; clubhouse available for group/event rental, .
- www.hartwellgolf.com or (706) 376-8161.
- Located at 755 Golf Club Road, Hartwell, GA 30643.
West of Lake Hartwell you will find Highland Walk Golf Course , located in Victoria Bryant State Park near Royston – a beautiful course with rolling terrain.
- Public 18 hole course – 6,503 yards, par 72.
- Open 7 Days a Week.
- Greens Fees from $39.00 to $45.00, including golf cart; special rates for seniors, juniors & state employees. Frequent on-line specials.
- Amenities include full service golf shop; snack bar; lessons; beginner clinics Saturday mornings (call for details).
- georgiagolf.com/net/go/georgiagolf.aspx?s=7296.40.2.17&db=Georgia or (800) 434-0982 for tee time reservations/(706) 245-6770 for golf shop.
- Located at 1415 Bryant Park Road, Royston, GA 30662.
About 30 miles south of Lake Hartwell, on a peninsula on neighboring Lake Russell, is Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course. Also located in a State Park, this course has received several awards and, as you can imagine, features some beautiful water views.
- Public 18 hole course – 6,788 yards, par 72.
- Named one of the “Top 10 Courses in Georgia” by TravelGolf.com and “2nd Best New Affordable Public Course in America” by Golf Digest.
- Open 7 Days a Week.
- Greens Fees from $41.00 to $46.00, including golf cart; special rates for seniors, juniors & state employees.
- Amenities include full service golf shop; private & group lessons; restaurant.
- georgiagolf.com/net/go/georgiagolf.aspx?s=7430.7418.2.17&db=Georgia or (706) 283-6000.
- Located at 2650 Russell State Park Road, Elberton, GA 30635.
Why not try one of our neighboring college golf courses? The University of Georgia Golf Course in Athens, GA and the Walker Course at Clemson University in Clemson, SC are both home to the respective university golf teams. I’ll provide more information on the Walker Course at Clemson in a separate article on Lake Hartwell’s South Carolina golf courses.
The University of Georgia Golf Course is a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. design, renovated in 2006, and is considered by many to be one of the country’s top college courses.
- Public 18 hole course - 7,240 yards, par 71; Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
- Open 7 Days a Week, subject to tournament play.
- Greens Fees from $58.00 to $65.00, including golf cart; special university and alumni rates available. Walking rates also available. Monday through Thursday 9 Hole rates from $22.00 to $31.50.
- Amenities include full service golf shop; driving range; clinics.
- www.golfcourse.uga.edu/index.htm or (706) 369-5739.
- Located at 2600 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30605.
Eagle Greens Sandy Creek Golf Course in Commerce may be one of the area’s best kept secrets. It’s twice as appealing if you have some in your group who would rather shop than golf. Located minutes from Commerce Factory Outlet stores, Sandy Creek Golf Course can allow the golfers to enjoy the links while the bargain hunters shop to ’til they drop – a great day for all!
- Public 18 hole course – 7,040 yards, par 72.
- Open 7 Days a Week.
- Greens Fees from $40.00 to $45.00, including golf cart.
- Amenities include pro shop; driving range, self-serve snack bar.
- www.eaglegreens.com/category.asp?id=1&parent=0 or (706) 335-8100.
- Located at 3100 Ila Road, Commerce, GA 30530.
Last, but not least is Hammer’s Glen Golf Club in Homer, GA. This course is situated on 139 beautiful rolling acres with a variety of hazards to challenge golfers of all levels.
- Semi-Private 18 hole course – 7,130 yards, par 72.
- Named one of “25 Toughest Courses” in the Atlanta Areas by Atlanta Business Chronicle.
- Open 7 Days a Week.
- Greens Fees from $39.00 to $49.00, including golf cart; twilight and senior rate available.
- Amenities include pro shop; lessons, restaurant.
- www.hammersglen.com/sites/courses/layout9.asp?id=498&page=25798 or (706) 677-3333.
- Located at 140 Hammer’s Glen Drive, Homer, GA 30547.
In closing, keep in mind that days, hours of operation and fees are subject to change. Please be sure to call ahead of time to confirm hours & amenities and to reserve your tee time. Enjoy!
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