The Seaside Course—Sea Island, Georgia
Course Ratings as of December 11, 2009
-31st best public course in the U.S. and the 7th best course in GA (Golf Digest)
-83rd best modern course in the U.S. and the 2nd best public course in GA (Golfweek)
-16th best public course in the U.S. (Golf Magazine)
For starters, the Sea Island Resort is a phenomenal golf get-a-way. 3 courses are available for guests to play, the
Lodge is rated as the “World’s Best Golf Hotel” by Golf Digest and the Cloisters is rated at the #3 hotel on that same
list. You will be treated to some of the very early history of golf in America at this resort as well as recent golf
history. It is a must visit golfing mecca.
The crown jewel of the three public courses at Sea Island is their Seaside Course. It was originally designed as a 9
hole course by H.S. Colt and Charles Alison in 1929. It is my understanding that Joe Lee’s 9 hole course was
eventually merged with Colt/Alison’s course to form what we know now of the 18 hole Seaside Course.
Furthermore, in 1999 Tom Fazio renovated the course.
Anyway you slice it, Seaside is an absolute treat to play. For starters, it is fabulously beautiful. Playing on the
ocean and the inter-costal water way takes advantage of the scenic views of the water. The massive bunkers add
to the sense of awe and amazement. The marsh lands add an even greater sense of the spectacular. And lastly,
the maintenance of the course is extra-ordinary.
Since the course plays so close to the water, it has a very “link-sy” feel to it with its rolling fairways, trimmed down
approach areas to the greens, and, of course, the ocean. However, you do get the occasional tree which comes
into play…it seems the trees are very strategically laid out. At times you need to work the ball right to left to get
around a tree (or to hit the fairway off the tee) and at other times you need to work it left to right. These types of
differing challenges make the variety of the course outstanding.
The greens are at times magnificently huge. But to me it is the undulations of the greens that make them a real
treat to putt on. You are going to be hard pressed to find a flat putt on the Seaside course and you will always have
to think as you approach the greens to ensure you hit the correct spot on the green in order to maximize your ability
to have a make-able putt.
Given its link-sy feel, it is fairly wide open off the tee. And thank goodness for this. If it would be tight, you wouldn’t
be able to enjoy the views and it would simply be too difficult to play.
From the middle tees it measures 6,323 and is rated 70.9/133.
Course Ratings as of December 11, 2009
-31st best public course in the U.S. and the 7th best course in GA (Golf Digest)
-83rd best modern course in the U.S. and the 2nd best public course in GA (Golfweek)
-16th best public course in the U.S. (Golf Magazine)
For starters, the Sea Island Resort is a phenomenal golf get-a-way. 3 courses are available for guests to play, the
Lodge is rated as the “World’s Best Golf Hotel” by Golf Digest and the Cloisters is rated at the #3 hotel on that same
list. You will be treated to some of the very early history of golf in America at this resort as well as recent golf
history. It is a must visit golfing mecca.
The crown jewel of the three public courses at Sea Island is their Seaside Course. It was originally designed as a 9
hole course by H.S. Colt and Charles Alison in 1929. It is my understanding that Joe Lee’s 9 hole course was
eventually merged with Colt/Alison’s course to form what we know now of the 18 hole Seaside Course.
Furthermore, in 1999 Tom Fazio renovated the course.
Anyway you slice it, Seaside is an absolute treat to play. For starters, it is fabulously beautiful. Playing on the
ocean and the inter-costal water way takes advantage of the scenic views of the water. The massive bunkers add
to the sense of awe and amazement. The marsh lands add an even greater sense of the spectacular. And lastly,
the maintenance of the course is extra-ordinary.
Since the course plays so close to the water, it has a very “link-sy” feel to it with its rolling fairways, trimmed down
approach areas to the greens, and, of course, the ocean. However, you do get the occasional tree which comes
into play…it seems the trees are very strategically laid out. At times you need to work the ball right to left to get
around a tree (or to hit the fairway off the tee) and at other times you need to work it left to right. These types of
differing challenges make the variety of the course outstanding.
The greens are at times magnificently huge. But to me it is the undulations of the greens that make them a real
treat to putt on. You are going to be hard pressed to find a flat putt on the Seaside course and you will always have
to think as you approach the greens to ensure you hit the correct spot on the green in order to maximize your ability
to have a make-able putt.
Given its link-sy feel, it is fairly wide open off the tee. And thank goodness for this. If it would be tight, you wouldn’t
be able to enjoy the views and it would simply be too difficult to play.
From the middle tees it measures 6,323 and is rated 70.9/133.
