Reynolds Lake Oconee - The Oconee

Opened in 2002, The Oconee has all the hallmarks of courses built in the hottest years of golf development: heavy shaping, huge bunkers, plenty of water and large, fast-running tiered greens. That was Rees Jones’ specialty through this period, and his course at Reynolds jumps out at you like a full magazine spread. Some holes are a bit one-dimensional but there are some memorable tests here, especially late in the round. The downhill par-3 13th with an enormous coral-shaped bunker is an over-the-top-fun set piece, and the finishing holes that touch the lake are beautiful, especially if you can time your round to coincide with the end of the day.

This course plays terrifically in the fall/winter.

The 12th and 16th holes are standouts. Players must navigate a picturesque creek the length of both holes, making them truly memorable.

The par 3s are very strong as well. All vary a good bit in length.

Being a Rees Jones design, the Oconee course reminded me a great deal of his father’s RTJ Golf Trail in Alabama.

Be sure and end the day at The National Tavern. It’s a great spot.

Great Course Design and Layout with some beautiful water holes. Roughs were over seeded giving it a nice plush green look even in early spring. Course was in great condition and greens rolled pure. I believe this was my favorite of the lake oconee courses with great waters following closely behind. Played with a couple members who were very nice as well. Only downside was the $300-350 price tag (because of it being masters week).

Played the Oconee course today at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro Georgia. Golf advisor did a trip with Matt Ginella in 2018 which you can watch on the website.

Nice range and practice area with the Taylormade Kingdom in the distance while on the range. From the start this is a very scenic golf course. Ponds, turtles, deer, and lake oconee can be seen and do come into play. The last 4 holes are my favorite because of the lake and they are just good holes.

Loved the course. Would go there again. Better bring your A game.

Good course, fun design with lots of elevated tees which I liked. However, paying $200 for punched greens is outrageous- definitely left a bad taste in my mouth. I would expect a steep discount when the ball is bouncing along and frequently thrown off course the intended line.

Obviously if you’re staying at the Ritz and are a golf nut like me, you’re kind of at their mercy so make sure to plan around the aeration schedule.

First, do not use my fee rate as an example of what you will pay., it was women's golf month so it was a special fee to encourage women to play! I was a guest of a friend that retired to Reynolds and was told the regular rate was $250 for guests staying at the Ritz. And, if you do a discovery package (if you consider moving to Reynolds), golf is part of the package so check out that deal.

It is a beautiful course - just check out the two photos I uploaded to Golf Advisor.

The course was in great condition expect the greens had sand on them from some type of treatment (not punch holes from aeration) that made them a a touch bumpy but not as bad as if they were aerated.

The big lesson I learned is that there are a lot of uneven lies so practice you shots with the ball above and below your feet before you play!

The reason I gave it a 4 Star overall instead of 5 was for pace of play. There was a foursome with a caddie (which my friends said means they were resort guests not residents) in front of us and it slowed us down but then again if they paid $250 each to play, I get them taking there time.

Overall, a beautiful place to visit and play golf!

This was my first time playing The Oconee at Reynolds Plantation. I love the course and the conditions were amazing.

At each hole I found myself saying, "this is a beautiful golf hole." The course and scenery is beautiful. Several views of Lake Oconee. The conditions were fantastic. The greens were firm, smooth and rolled true with lots of undulations, slopes and tricky breaks. This is one of the best courses I have played in several years. It ranks right along all the top courses (Blue Monster, Ocean Course, TPC Sawgrass, etc). I could and would play this course every week. Simply great!!!

First off, The Oconee Course is simply beautiful. At almost every turn, the routing is solid and interesting, and there are lots of beautiful water features, including streams, waterfalls, ponds and lake views. Conditioning is also top notch and the greens were perfect the day I played them. This is certainly one of Rees Jones' best layouts. I didn't find one single hole boring. I could play this course every week. In fact, I've liked this course more each time I've played it.

If you're looking for a course with generous fairways, interesting holes and terrific conditioning, then come to Reynolds and enjoy any of the courses here. The Oconee Course, however, is exceptional. Designed by Rees Jones, the course offers great views of Lake Oconee with a magnificent set of par 3s as well as good risk-reward holes. Arguably, it's the best layout at the resort, holes 1 through 18.

To most people, the Oconee is the second-best course at Reynolds Plantation behind Great Waters. I'm guessing my three-star rating for conditioning would have been higher if I hadn't played the course in February one week after an ice storm AND an earthquake.
The movement of the land and feel of the course reminds me of Treetops in northern Michigan. Both are beautiful places.
The final two holes bring Lake Oconee into play, the 17th on the right side and the 18th along the left. They're the highlights of the day.
The food in the Linger Longer Steakhouse in the clubhouse is worth sampling after the round.

Reynolds Plantation is one of those destinations for a true golfer. The whole community itself has everything a die hard golfer could want, golf, golf and more golf... Oh yeah and a TMAG Kingdom fitting location for the equipment/fitting lovers out there located at the Oconee range.

The Oconee course itself is connected to the Ritz Carlton resort. You experience true southern hospitality and charm the moment you step on the property. The resort is an easy 5 stars. Located on Lake Oconee the hotel as well as the course offers spectacular lake vistas throughout.

It is a Rees Jones design, where he has routed along the Lake Oconee shoreline on many holes. Utilizing the lake as well as creeks and ponds he has offered up some great risk/reward opportunities throughout your round. Elevation changes, mounding and bunkers are not only appealing to the eye but makes you think as you go around all 18 holes.

It is a par 72 and can get to just over 7,000 yards. The greens are bermuda grass and it has received many accolades including making the best resort courses and top American courses lists.

The course you may have seen on TV as it hosts the Chic-fil-a Bowl Challenge. A fun event for coaches and former athletes from SEC and ACC schools. In watching that you can see the average amateur can get around and enjoy the course.

This will be a place you enjoy and want to come back to.