Defined by a scenic routing along the Lake Oconee shoreline, this Rees Jones design is a true risk/reward layout. The Oconee offers inspiring lake views while presenting options to play shots over inlets or carry corners of tree-lined doglegs. This par-72 layout has captured the attention of the golf industry due to its stimulating, challenging and playable layout.
- Yards 7,158
- Par 72
- Opening Year 2002
The Oconee
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HOLE
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PAR
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YARDS
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HOLE
1
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PAR
5
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YARDS
558
HOLE 1
TEES
- 1 - 558
- 2 - 536
- 3 - 512
- 4 - 427
- 5 - 404
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 1
The ideal target line for this opening role is the right center of the fairway which is in line with the bunkers in the distance. Longer players will have an opportunity to reach this green in two but a small pond and three bunkers await their attempt. A layup down the right center of the fairway provides the best angle into the green by taking the pond and greenside bunker out of play.
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HOLE
2
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PAR
4
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YARDS
418
HOLE 2
TEES
- 1 - 418
- 2 - 396
- 3 - 371
- 4 - 316
- 5 - 312
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 2
The left center of the fairway is an ideal target line to avoid the fairway bunker that guards the right side of the fairway. Players who choose to be aggressive off the tee need to be cautious of errant shots to the left of the fairway. The green is protected by a large greenside bunker in the front and to the left of the green. An approach shot aimed at the right center of the green will take the bunker out of play and utilize the generous right to left slope on the green.
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HOLE
3
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PAR
4
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YARDS
415
HOLE 3
TEES
- 1 - 415
- 2 - 395
- 3 - 376
- 4 - 314
- 5 - 310
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 3
This uphill dogleg left requires accuracy off the tee and proper course management. Players have the option to either challenge the fairway bunker on the right or layback to a yardage just short of it. Those who challenge the bunker will also face a narrow fairway to the left that sits alongside a large slope and hazard. The widest part of the fairway is just short of the bunker but players who choose this option will face a much longer yardage into an elevated green. The ideal target line off the tee is the left edge of the fairway bunker for those who plan to layback. Depending on the yardage into the green, the second shot will play 5-7 yards uphill. An approach shot to the right center of the green is ideal due to the generous slope on the right side of the green.
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HOLE
4
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PAR
4
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YARDS
382
HOLE 4
TEES
- 1 - 382
- 2 - 362
- 3 - 331
- 4 - 327
- 5 - 284
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 4
This short downhill par 4 provides numerous club options for players off the tree. The ideal target line is the right center of the fairway to avoid the left fairway bunker and to take advantage of the slope on the right that will normally aid errant shots. Players are advised to choose the proper club off the tee to setup an ideal wedge distance into this green that slopes back to front. A deep bunker guards this green on the right but players can use the slope along the left side of the green to push shots toward the center of the green. Play below the pin if possible, on this back to front sloping green to ensure an uphill putt.
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HOLE
5
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PAR
3
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YARDS
173
HOLE 5
TEES
- 1 - 173
- 2 - 165
- 3 - 152
- 4 - 137
- 5 - 101
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 5
This downhill par 3 is guarded by two bunkers and a small pond. Distance control and accuracy are required and players must judge the often-swirling wind correctly. Pay attention to the wind direction and its severity along with the downhill yardage on this approach shot.
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HOLE
6
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PAR
4
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YARDS
368
HOLE 6
TEES
- 1 - 368
- 2 - 354
- 3 - 337
- 4 - 333
- 5 - 264
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 6
The ideal target line for this dogleg right par 4 is the left center of the fairway to avoid the two bunkers that guard both sides of the fairway. Pay special attention to the big false front that protects this green along with two well positioned greenside bunkers. An uphill approach shot to this green should favor the left center of the green to maximize success.
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HOLE
7
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PAR
5
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YARDS
517
HOLE 7
TEES
- 1 - 517
- 2 - 497
- 3 - 477
- 4 - 419
- 5 - 416
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 7
The left center of the fairway is an ideal target line to avoid the bunker along the right side of the fairway for this reachable par 5. Players who choose to layup will need to avoid the fairway bunker in the landing zone in order to give themselves a great angle and desirable wedge distance. Play below the pin if possible, to ensure an uphill putt.
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HOLE
8
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PAR
3
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YARDS
202
HOLE 8
TEES
- 1 - 202
- 2 - 184
- 3 - 155
- 4 - 150
- 5 - 126
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 8
This downhill par 3 is protected by a larger bunker that wraps around the front and left side of the green. Players should aim at the right center of the green to avoid this deep bunker and to take advantage of the right to left slope just off the green. Play below the pin if possible, to ensure an uphill putt on a green that slopes severely from back to front.
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HOLE
9
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PAR
4
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YARDS
435
HOLE 9
TEES
- 1 - 435
- 2 - 410
- 3 - 391
- 4 - 354
- 5 - 291
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 9
The ideal target line for this slight dogleg right par 4 is the left side of the fairway in order to avoid a large bunker that runs along the right side of the fairway. Shots just left of the fairway will normally take advantage of the large slope and these errant shots will move toward or into the fairway. Approach shots should be aimed at the left center of the green to avoid the greenside bunker and Lake Oconee.
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HOLE
10
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PAR
5
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YARDS
569
HOLE 10
TEES
- 1 - 569
- 2 - 545
- 3 - 530
- 4 - 451
- 5 - 448
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 10
The left center of the fairway is an ideal target line off the tee to this reachable par 5. A second shot that favors the left side of the fairway will improve the angle into a green that is protected by a deep bunker. Players who can't reach the green in two should also play down the left side of the fairway and layup to a comfortable wedge distance.
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HOLE
11
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PAR
4
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YARDS
421
HOLE 11
TEES
- 1 - 421
- 2 - 399
- 3 - 368
- 4 - 361
- 5 - 267
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 11
A tee shot that plays 14 yards downhill from the top tee, should be positioned in the left center of the fairway to eliminate a second shot from being blocked out by the over-hanging trees on the right. The fairway narrows up to the right of the left fairway bunker so players are advised to layback just short and left of this area. Approach shots should favor the right portion of the green to avoid the large greenside bunker and to also take advantage of a right to left slope that will push shots toward the middle of the green.
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HOLE
12
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PAR
4
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YARDS
381
HOLE 12
TEES
- 1 - 381
- 2 - 361
- 3 - 328
- 4 - 321
- 5 - 270
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 12
The ideal target line for this uphill dogleg right is the left center of the fairway. A large bunker sits on the through line of this fairway and the entire right side is guarded by a small creek. An uphill approach shot demands accuracy and distance control to a green heavily protected on the right side by the same creek that players faced off the tee. Players are advised to play to the left center of this green and if possible, below the pin location to ensure an uphill putt on a green that slopes severely from back to front.
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HOLE
13
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PAR
3
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YARDS
227
HOLE 13
TEES
- 1 - 227
- 2 - 208
- 3 - 184
- 4 - 136
- 5 - 101
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 13
This long downhill par 3 demands distance control and accuracy in order to avoid the largest bunker in the state of Georgia with over an acre of sand. Pay attention to the wind as it often swirls amongst the towering pine trees. An ideal target line is the left center of the green.
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HOLE
14
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PAR
4
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YARDS
459
HOLE 14
TEES
- 1 - 459
- 2 - 438
- 3 - 383
- 4 - 377
- 5 - 352
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 14
Depending on the tee box, players will need to either play down the left center of the fairway and short of the left fairway bunker or slightly right of the left fairway bunker. A difficult approach shot to a green protected by a bunker in the front and slopes all around the green awaits each player. An upper and lower tier guard pin locations so being on the proper level is required to avoid a lengthy putt.
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HOLE
15
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PAR
3
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YARDS
185
HOLE 15
TEES
- 1 - 185
- 2 - 177
- 3 - 129
- 4 - 125
- 5 - 106
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 15
Distance control is required to this well-guarded par 3 green. Pay attention to the wind coming off of Lake Oconee as it sometimes swirls down inside the cove.
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HOLE
16
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PAR
4
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YARDS
425
HOLE 16
TEES
- 1 - 425
- 2 - 399
- 3 - 381
- 4 - 303
- 5 - 297
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 16
The right center of the fairway is the ideal target line for this well protected hole. A swift running creek runs alongside the entire left side of this hole and then wraps around the front and right side of the green. If possible, players are advised to play below the pin on this back to front sloped green to avoid an extremely difficult putt.
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HOLE
17
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PAR
5
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YARDS
542
HOLE 17
TEES
- 1 - 542
- 2 - 517
- 3 - 488
- 4 - 478
- 5 - 430
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 17
The left center of the fairway is an ideal target line for this reachable par 5. Longer tee shots can take advantage of an additional 25+ yards thanks in large part to the big slope that is located just past the left fairway bunker. The green is protected by a large bunker to the left along with a run off on the back portion of the green and Lake Oconee comes in play on the right. Players who can't reach this green in two are advised to layup to a comfortable wedge distance.
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HOLE
18
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PAR
4
-
YARDS
481
HOLE 18
TEES
- 1 - 481
- 2 - 462
- 3 - 440
- 4 - 373
- 5 - 371
Ian Milhouse
Head Golf Professional
HOLE 18
Players will be challenged throughout this entire finishing hole. Tee shots that are played from across the lake have an ideal target line at the left edge of the far-left bunker. Players need to stay right of the 150-yard marker to avoid a swale on the left side of the fairway. Two well positioned fairway bunkers sit along the right side of the hole so tee shots that are played from across the bridge will have an ideal target line of left center of the fairway. The fairway narrows up just past the bunkers so accuracy is a must for longer players. The green is protected by two bunkers short left and short right along with a large run off to the middle back right portion of the green. Lake Oconee is on full display and comes into play along the entire left side of the green.
Awards &
Designations
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Golf Digest's Best in State 2024 -
Golfweek's Top 200 Residential Courses in the US 2023 -
Golfweek's Top 200 Resort Courses in the US 2023 -
Golfweek's Best Course You Can Play by State 2023
