Greensboro, GA
Reynolds Lake Oconee
Ritz-Carlton lakeside luxury; the easy-yes weekender with five-star polish.
easiest-drivefive-starlakesidesix-courses
The place
The shortest drive on the list and the highest luxury-per-mile. Reynolds is a 12,000-acre community on Lake Oconee with a five-star Ritz-Carlton on the water and six courses from a murderers' row of architects. Leave Birmingham after breakfast and tee off the same afternoon — perfect for a first outing or a crew that wants big-time golf without the big-time haul.
The courses on property
| Course | Designer | Notes | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Waters | Jack Nicklaus | Jack Nicklaus signature; back nine hugs the lake — the marquee round. | resort |
| The Oconee | Rees Jones | The resort's tournament-tough championship layout by the Ritz. | resort |
| The National | Tom Fazio | 27 holes (Bluff / Ridge / Cove) of rolling shot-making. | resort |
| Landing · Preserve | Bob Cupp | Two more Bob Cupp designs — classic, scenic, and secluded. | resort |
| The Creek Club | Jim Engh | Ultra-exclusive members course — a bonus if accessible. | members |
Where you crash
The resort
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds
Lakefront rooms, spa, fine dining and golf packaged in. The five-star, everything-handled play right on the water.
◆ The private house
The Private House
A lakefront estate inside Reynolds — private dock, big porches, pool table, cart ride to the first tee. Search Reynolds rentals or VRBO "Lake Oconee waterfront."
6-7 BR · sleeps 12-14 · ~$1,200–$2,500/nt
The 5-day plan
- 1
Roll out & warm up
AM Easy departure after breakfast — at the lake by early afternoon.
PM Check in, twilight nine on The Landing, welcome dinner at Linger Longer Steakhouse.
- 2
Great Waters
AM The signature round — Nicklaus's lakeside back nine; play a skins game.
PM Boat, spa, or range; cigars and cards on the porch.
- 3
The National (36 optional)
AM Fazio's 27-hole National — pick two nines.
PM Keen players loop The Preserve; others to the pool bar. Dinner in Greensboro.
- 4
The Oconee — Cup day
AM Save Rees Jones's championship Oconee for the big team match.
PM Awards, closing steak dinner, final night of poker.
- 5
Morning nine & home
AM Optional early nine or a lazy lakeside breakfast, then the short drive — back in Birmingham by dinner.
Why it wins
The path of least resistance to five-star golf. Short drive, six courses, a Ritz on the lake — the trip nobody says no to.
Booking notes
Course access is tied to your Ritz-Carlton or Reynolds stay-and-play package; the resort books tee times as part of the stay.