Life’s just peachy when spending time at Reynolds Lake Oconee. Rolling hills, clear blue skies, and tall pine trees situated among immaculate grounds set the scene for six spectacular golf courses, superb dining, and recreational activities along Lake Oconee, Georgia. Reynolds lies about 90 miles or an hour and a half drive from the Atlanta airport. This world-class golfing, boating, and recreational playground community is predominantly full-time and part-time residents. Still, it also boasts a Ritz Carlton Resort for those looking to vacation and enjoy the Reynolds lifestyle. 11 different dining options are all incredibly satisfying. What makes Reynolds so unique is its southern charm and hospitality. My son said, “Dad, nobody ever says that someone has West Coast or North East charm…it’s Southern Charm, and that’s why I love the South”.
I was fortunate to play 81 holes over three days, spanning The Preserve, The National (Ridge and Bluff), Great Waters, The Landings, and The Creek Club (an exclusive Platinum Members course). On a previous visit, I was able to play The Oconee so I have knowledge of all six courses.
This trip was extra special as we partnered with Patrick Koenig and his RGV Tour 2.0. He is on a quest to break the world record of most courses played in a year. His goal is 500! Yes, you read that correctly, 500 different courses in one year. He is raising money for The First Tee and awareness for an excellent app, The Golf Game Book.
It’s all about the golf at Reynolds, and after playing all six courses, I can say that each course is destination worthy! Put them all together, and you have a premiere golf destination, possibly a leading candidate for the best in the Southeast. For context, I have visited Pinehurst, Myrtle Beach, The Greenbrier, RTJ Trail, and Streamsong. They are all fantastic, but there is something extra special about Reynolds. Six Courses with impeccable greens, challenging layouts, and each with a unique character that wants you to return for more.
The Preserve was the first course we played as we joined Patrick in the middle of the 10th Fairway. I admit, I was under the impression that The Preserve was sub-par to the other courses at Reynolds, but I couldn’t be more wrong. I LOVED The Preserve as it’s a fun, visually appealing, challenging, and playable course. The conditions were incredible on this gem designed by Bob Cupp with Fuzzy Zoeller as a consultant. Plenty of undulation with large greens that rolled great, thanks to the oversized fans deterring algae. It has water on at least half the holes. I was fond of #18 as it’s a gettable Par 5, providing my only eagle opportunity of the trip. I missed the 70-foot putt, but I loved having the shot at an eagle!
The National comprises three nine-hole courses, with a fourth being added soon. We played The Ridge, followed by The Bluff. The National is the type, of course, you would love to play every weekend and be excited about each time—a traditional Tom Fazio layout with sensational greens and challenging shots. Many holes start with a descending drive only to rise back to the green for your approach shot. My favorite hole on The Ridge Course is the par-5 #6. Everything seems manageable until you have your approach shot to a peninsula green that runs from front to back, and everything slopes to the water. It’s a daunting approach with a tricky green to hold.
The Bluff is my favorite nine holes of the three available for The National. Some postcard scenic holes, like the #3 par-5 and #4 par-3, along the lake. Something unique about seeing boaters a few feet away from your par putt. I have a favorite hole on the Bluff course for special meaning. This was the third time playing the #4 par-3 with my sons. They were 12 and 14 the first time, and we all made par. We did it again two years later. We felt the pressure when standing on the tee with my youngest, who is now 15. Two up and downs later, we continued the tradition.
Note, we were told that The Bluff would become a Platinum member-only course as soon as the fourth nine is completed, so if you want to see if you can par hole #4, as I have in three straight attempts, book your trip ASAP before it no longer becomes available for guests.
Great Waters is considered by many to be the crown jewel of Reynolds, given its jaw-dropping vistas on the back 9. It sits about 15 minutes outside the main Reynolds property on the other side of Lake Oconee. It’s a Jack Nicklaus design, ranked in “America’s Greatest 100 Public Golf Courses” by Golf Digest. An incredible plantation-style clubhouse sits lakefront and immediately sets the tone for a fantastic experience. Great Waters utilizes Lake Oconee more than any other course on the property. The front nine is good, but the camera comes out when you reach the back nine. The most photographed hole will be #11. The lakefront engulfs A short par four, leading to a peninsula green. You want to take a great approach as boaters and jet skiers pass you. A memorable moment was on #14, a 175-yard par-3 over the lake. I stuck my shot to 8 feet and got applause from multiple boaters. Patrick was disappointed that his shot which was 3 feet closer, didn’t get the same reaction. We laughed about it, but unfortunately, we both missed the putt. We each attempted the putt thrice and still couldn’t make it. It wasn’t meant to be, but I got the boating recognition 😊.
The Landing is another course that sits outside the main Reynolds property. The front nine has some memorable holes, especially 2-5. The third hole is a par-3, 131 yds with a 5-story descent. All three of us hit the green, but I missed a 4-foot birdie putt. Special shoutout to the head greenskeeper who came out to watch us hit and share his course knowledge. He exemplified Southern charm!
The Creek Club offers the most exclusive experience at Reynolds. I can’t recall playing a course with greens as large and undulated. Patrick, who will break the world record this year for most courses played, said he hit shots he has never hit before. Some greens are like a vast bowl, surrounded by an incline on all sides, so if you go long, left, or right, the ball will end up on the green. Yet on other holes, you can putt off the green into water (which we did). Assistant Pro Chris and Head Pro Jose joined us. A hole that especially had our juices flowing was the par-3 #13. This hole funnels to the pin on all sides. With a front pin placement, we were told it’s the most achievable hole-in-1 by far at Reynolds. I came within 5 feet, but no hole-in-1. Jose shared his knowledge throughout the remaining holes, and we appreciated his guidance.
If you want a break from golf, Reynolds offers countless other activities, such as pontoon boat rentals, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and fishing. There is a sporting grounds area for clay shooting or driving a Jeep on an Off-Road Course. Of course, there is a spa and wellness area, plus miles of paved trails. If you can think of it, they have it here at Reynolds as the community celebrates an active lifestyle.
Another notable feature at Reynolds is The Kingdom, the premiere location for golf improvement. It is one of only two facilities in the country. They have two Taylor Made tour trailers and an entire complex dedicated to game improvement, offering similar services experienced by pros on the PGA Tour.
Dining is part of Reynolds’s fun, and I was especially fond of The National Tavern. It exemplified a relaxed/casual atmosphere and seemed to be the heartbeat of nightlife at Reynolds. I highly recommend the burrata and peach with jalapeno peppers appetizer, teriyaki wings, and the buffalo shrimp tater skins. The NY Strip hit the spot, and a dessert not to miss is the gooey s’mores brownie. Eighty8 Kitchen is another southern-style restaurant serving outstanding breakfast and a slightly more formal dinner than The Tavern. For that special occasion dinner, I recommend The Overlook at Great Waters. They have incredible seafood and a raw bar. I enjoyed my pan-seared flounder with orecchiette, spinach, and lemon butter sauce. No matter what restaurant you pick, you will enjoy the experience!
Our accommodations included a four-bedroom, four-bath cottage adjacent to The National Tavern and a golf course. This was a perfect location for walking to The Tavern for dinner or golf. If you could dream up the ideal guys or couples’ golf accommodations, this would be that. A two-story home with balconies on both floors, adorned with high-end furniture, massive TVs in the great room, and a fully stocked kitchen. These cottages had plenty of room to hang out and still have privacy.
If you are looking for a world-class golf and recreational getaway, look no further than Reynolds. My only complaint was that I couldn’t Linger Longer. Till next time!