Great Waters--Lake Oconee, GA
-42nd best public course in the U.S. (Golf Mag.);
-55th best resort course and 3rd best public course in GA (Golfweek)
-97th best residential course (Golfweek)
In general, I am a very positive person. And throughout this website I want to highlight the positives about the
course I have played, but I must speak the truth. So with that in mind, here goes...
Great Waters is the most over-rated course I have ever played. As you can see from the rankings listed above,
the course is highly regarded by many of the golf rating agencies. But, I don't see it...I don't see it at all.
My home course, St. Ives is just as good as Great Waters. Long Shadow is just as good as Great Waters, but
has a completely different feel to it. Cuscowilla is a much, much better course than Great Waters. BUT, at St.
Ives (since I am a member), I pay $10 a round. At Long Shadow, you pay $35. At Cuscowilla, you pay $125.
At Great Waters, you pay $250!!!!
This course is simply too expensive for what you get and for what other options are available.
Having said that, the course itself is very nice. It plays right along Lake Oconee and is in its own right a
fantastic course. The Lake Oconee golf courses are ranked nationally as among the best golf resorts in the
world and with all the courses to choose from, the quality of the lake, and the Ritz I would agree. However, I
have no desire to pay the prices they ask and, therefore, I have no desire to play it again.
Great Waters is designed by Jack Nicklaus and from the blue tees is rated 71.3/128 and measures 6,581.