Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, GA is the only course in the world with three individually designed nine-hole layouts, by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player, and it has co-hosted the Augusta National Women's Amateur since 2019. Beyond Augusta National itself, the metro area holds courses designed by Donald Ross, Alister MacKenzie, and Jim Fazio, ranging from a public track minutes from downtown to a private club founded in 1892.
Course | Location | Designer | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
Forest Hills Golf Club | Augusta, GA | Donald Ross (1926); reworked by Arnold Palmer Company, 2004 | Public course, owned by Augusta University; Bobby Jones began his 1930 Grand Slam here |
Champions Retreat Golf Club | Evans, GA | Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player (one nine each) | Only course in the world with three individually designed nines; co-hosts the Augusta National Women's Amateur |
The River Golf Club | North Augusta, SC | Jim Fazio | Opened 1998 on a former rail yard; named a top-5 new course by Golf Digest in 1999 |
Bartram Trail Golf Club | Evans, GA | Not independently verified | Named for explorer William Bartram; routed through wetlands and woodland |
Eisenhower Lakes Golf Course | Fort Eisenhower, Augusta, GA | Not independently verified | On-post military course, primarily for DoD ID holders |
Mount Vintage Golf Club | North Augusta, SC | Not independently verified | Set near South Carolina vineyard country |
Palmetto Golf Club | Aiken, SC | Thomas Hitchcock (1892); Herbert Leeds (1895); Alister MacKenzie (1932) | Founded 1892; among the oldest 18-hole courses in the U.S. on its original site |
West Lake Country Club | Augusta, GA (Columbia County) | Ellis Maples (1969) | Private club on its own West Lake, not Lake Murray; ranked second locally to Augusta National |
The Reserve Club at Woodside | Aiken, SC | Not independently verified | Private club within the Woodside community |
Source: club histories via Wikipedia, Golf Digest, and individual club websites for Forest Hills, Champions Retreat, The River Golf Club, Palmetto Golf Club, and West Lake Country Club.
1. Forest Hills Golf Club
2. Champions Retreat Golf Club
3. The River Golf Club
4. Bartram Trail Golf Club
5. Eisenhower Lakes Golf Course
6. Mount Vintage Golf Club
7. Palmetto Golf Club
8. West Lake Country Club
9. The Reserve Club at Woodside
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best golf course to play near Augusta, GA besides Augusta National?
Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, GA stands out for having three individually designed nine-hole courses, by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player, and for co-hosting the Augusta National Women's Amateur since 2019. For a public option, Forest Hills Golf Club is a Donald Ross design open to all players.
What is the oldest golf course near Augusta?
Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, SC, founded in 1892, is among the oldest 18-hole golf courses in the U.S. still played on its original site. It's open to outside visitors for one week each year, during Masters week.
Can the public play golf courses near Augusta National during Masters week?
Some private clubs, including Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, open to outside players specifically during Masters week. Public courses like Forest Hills Golf Club are open year-round regardless of tournament timing.
Related Reading
- A Look Inside the History of Augusta National
- A Tour Player's Guide to Augusta Restaurants
- Evans, GA Neighborhood Guide
- Aiken, SC Neighborhood Guide
- Golf Homes for Sale Near Augusta National
Lisa Moss has worked as a Realtor in the Georgia and South Carolina markets for fifteen years, with a focus on Augusta, Atlanta, and Aiken. She holds an MBA and is affiliated with Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate Co.
Considering a move to golf country? Contact Lisa Moss or browse golf homes for sale near Augusta National.
