Courses to Play Near Augusta National

At the very top of every golfer's bucketlist will be play Augusta National and then directly below attend The Masters, which is definitely a much more realistic goal.

Although, just because you choose to attend the world's greatest golf tournament, it doesn't mean you can't play some golf of your own. Whether you stay local and discover more great courses within Augusta or opt for a road trip across states, there are so many options to get your fix on Masters week.

Here's our breakdown of courses you can play near Augusta National, covering Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama, just ask one of our tournament experts to bolt some of these courses onto your ultimate Masters Experience.

The best courses to play near Augusta National during Masters week include West Lake Country Club (15 minutes away) The River Golf Club, Champions Retreat (designed by Palmer, Nicklaus and Player), and Reynolds Lake Oconee (70 minutes, with five championship courses).

Bobby Jones's hometown has Augusta National's influence in every corner, making it a special place to tee it up.

Each April, thousands of fans arrive to witness The Masters, but the tournament has a way of making you want to play golf yourself. Why wait till you get home?

Just 15 minutes from Augusta National, West Lake Country Club is a great option for those wanting to play a quintessentially American golf course.

With exceptional playing conditions, a huge amount of water and some of the fastest greens you're likely to putt on, it's no surprise that West Lake has hosted several regional championships.

Nearly at 7,000 yards from the back tees, its length won't be the issue, but in fact, the sheer quality of the Ellis Maples design will be the underlying obstacle to overcome, ensuring your golf is strategic in order to score well.

The name is quite self-explanatory, but The River Golf Club will test your mettle around a plethora of water hazards just a few minutes from The Masters host.

Displaying perfectly the midas touch of renowned course designer Jim Fazio, the course rewards bravery but is equally punishing if you spray it off the tee.

The mature track offers a welcome contrast to the other courses in the area, making it perfect for anyone wanting to bolt on some golf to their bucket list trip.

Reynolds Lake Oconee is a one of a kind destination, boasting an unbelievable five-star resort which itself features five world-class golf courses. At 70 minutes from Augusta National, the location is perfect for balancing tournament spectating and some holes of your own, but experiencing all five courses might be tight during your trip.

Despite having such great variety, the resort doesn't compromise on quality with each and every course offering a genuine championship challenge in unique settings.

Champions Retreat offers something no other club can claim: 27 holes designed by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player, each legend contributing a distinct nine-hole layout. The club delivers an exclusive golf experience with top-notch facilities just minutes from Augusta National.

Designed by Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf, Harbour Club rolls across undulating terrain along Lake Oconee's shoreline. The 18-hole layout suits all abilities, with multiple tee options and a good mix of risk-reward holes.

The lakeside setting adds to the experience, and facilities include a driving range, short-game area and putting green—handy for warming up before your round.

Ever since its establishment in 2002, The Reserve Club has proven to be a remarkable asset to the Woodside community, providing its Members with top-notch amenities.

The Reserve Club offers two 18-hole courses, The Reserve and Hollow Creek, set within the Woodside community near Aiken, South Carolina. Both layouts wind through mature pines and offer a quieter alternative to the busier Augusta-area tracks during Masters week.

As the capital of South Carolina, there is naturally a huge golfing spotlight on Columbia and with a transfer time of just over an hour, it makes for one of the best golfing destinations in and around Augusta.

The city is buzzing with sporting life, thanks mostly to a strong college football presence and embraces the flocks of golfers each year with open arms.

Columbia Country Club
Columbia Country Club is a simply spectacular course which acts as a brilliant gateway between the layouts of Augusta and the Carolinas.

Expect wide fairways littered with large fairway bunkers, a heavy presence of water and any stray shots landing in the pine straw.

Naturally, everything from tee to green is in impeccable condition which only adds to the difficulty of this course, but a variety of tee boxes make it playable for all standards of golfer.

Cobblestone Park's 27 holes ranked #4 on Golf Pass's "Top 25 College Golf Courses" list, a nod to both its conditioning and design. Rolling terrain, panoramic views and corridors framed by oak and pine make it one of Columbia's standout tracks.

Daily fee play is available, making it accessible for visiting golfers during Masters week.

Beyond Columbia, South Carolina's coast delivers some of America's finest resort golf, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island are all within three hours of Augusta. Adding a few days here is a popular way to extend a Masters trip. The premier golfing state has direct flights from London to Charleston, making logistics easier than ever.

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is the crown jewel of South Carolina golf. Host of the 1991 "War by the Shore" Ryder Cup and two PGA Championships (2012, 2021), it's one of the toughest seaside tests in the country—over 7,800 yards when the wind whips off the Atlantic.

If you're looking for the ultimate complement to your Masters trip, this is it. Expect exposed dunes, constant wind decisions and a finish you'll never forget.

Courses:
The Ocean Course
Cougar Point
Osprey Point
Oak Point
Turtle Point

The famous Pete Dye worked in close consultation with Jack Nicklaus, and the result is a championship layout to test the creativity and imagination of the finest golfers.

Harbour Town Golf Links at The Sea Pines Resort is among the shorter courses to regularly stage PGA Tour events, but the fantastic variety of Pete Dye's design ensures sufficient difficulty.

More info on Harbour Town Links >>

"The par 3 4th is a bit of a brute from the back tees measuring 200 yards, anything left is swimming, right is a long waste area & over the back a bunker could save you from a watery grave!"
David (Long Haul Team: Handicap 2)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to David about playing this course.

In 1996, Arnold Palmer headed up the extensive redesign of King’s North Golf Course and has created a true modern day beauty. Planting nearly 7,000 Azaleas and 600 hardwood trees, that have now fully matured, the course is a truly magical place to play golf.

In true Arnie fashion, each hole is unique which creates an amazing golfing experience for everyone which culminates at the last. The 18th hole is lined with no less than 40 bunkers and is a spectacular sight from the tee.

More info on Myrtle Beach National, Kings North >>

"The 18th is amazing, the hole is lined with no less than 40 bunkers and the short 12th with it's island green is a great signature hole."
Thomas (Long Haul Team: Handicap 6)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Thomas about playing this course.

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail holds the accolade of the largest golf course construction project ever attempted; a collection of 26 golf courses on 11 different sites across the state of Alabama. This collection of public courses certainly confirms Trent Jones' reputation as one of the finest golf course architects the game of golf has seen.

Featured Courses on the Trail

Other Courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
Silver Lakes - (Backbreaker, Heartbreaker, Mindbreaker, Short Course)
Lakewood Club - (Azalea, Dogwood)
Hampton Cove - (Highlands, River, Short Course)
Highland Oaks - (Highland, Magnolia, Marshwood, Short Course)
Cambrian Ridge - (Canyon, Loblolly, Sherling, Short Course)
Magnolia Grove - (Crossings, Falls, Short Course)