St. Simons Island, GA
Forbes five-star coast, caddies, oyster roasts and PGA Tour turf.
Georgia's Golden Isles at their finest — a Forbes five-star coastal resort where golf, lodging, and Lowcountry setting all run at the same elevated level. The Seaside Course co-hosts the PGA Tour's RSM Classic each November, so you're walking tournament turf against the Atlantic. Add real caddie culture, a world-class golf performance center, and oceanfront dining, and the whole experience becomes the point.
| Course | Designer | Notes | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seaside | Colt & Alison; Fazio redesign | Windswept and coastal — hosts the RSM Classic. The marquee. | resort |
| Plantation | Davis Love III & Fazio redesign | Oaks and marsh — the second RSM Classic course. | resort |
| Retreat | Davis Love III | Inland design; a generous, fun member-style round. | resort |
The resort
The Lodge is the golfers' choice — an English-manor hotel on the club with butler service and the first tee out the door. The Cloister is the flagship five-star on the water.
◆ The private house
A classic St. Simons beach house — screened porches, walk to the pier village, 10 min from the Sea Island Golf Club. Big homes rent all along East Beach & Ocean Blvd.
5-6 BR · sleeps 10-12 · ~$1,500–$3,500/nt
AM Leave mid-morning; ~5.5 hrs to St. Simons.
PM Settle in, warm up as the sun drops over the sound; oysters and drinks at the Oak Room.
AM The headliner — Seaside along the Atlantic with a forecaddie; play it into the wind.
PM Clubhouse lunch, beach or spa, steak-and-seafood dinner.
AM Plantation through the oaks and marsh.
PM Golf Performance Center fitting, or inshore fishing; splurge dinner at the Georgian Room.
AM Back to Seaside (or Retreat for a looser round) to settle the team match.
PM Trophy over a Lowcountry boil or oyster roast; cigars on the veranda.
AM Leisurely breakfast, a walk on the beach, then the drive back — home by evening.
Tournament golf on the Atlantic with five-star everything and real caddies. The most complete resort experience on the list.
Seaside and Plantation sit at the Sea Island Golf Club by the Lodge; a forecaddie is included with resort rounds. The Golf Performance Center is worth a lesson or fitting mid-trip.