Nestled off the coast of Georgia, St. Simons Island is a golfer’s paradise. Here you’ll find courses that will appeal to all skill levels, from the seasoned pro to the weekend golfer. St. Simons Island combines challenging play with stunning ocean views and a big dose of southern charm.
For a relatively small island (about 3 miles by 12 miles) you’ll find that St. Simons is the perfect place to spend a few days playing golf. Or, it could be that you’re visiting on a family vacation and want to sneak in a round in between activities with the whole family. What follows is a closer look at your options.
The great golfing is just another reason to consider St. Simons when you’re thinking about retirement. It’s been named one of the Best Small Towns in Coastal Georgia for Retirees.
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Planning a trip to St. Simons Island? Start here for all the basic information you’ll need to get started. This is St. Simons Island At a Glance.
Public and Semi-Private Golf Courses in St. Simons
Two courses fall in this category and both are great places to play golf in St. Simons Island at affordable pricing. You’ll be able to book your tee times directly with the managing resort.
Sea Palms Resort Golf
A full resort located mid-island, Sea Palms Golf Club features an 18-hole course and many holes are set against a backdrop of vast salt marshes and lagoons. You’ll find a clubhouse with restaurant and small bar to enjoy a meal or a drink after your round.
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Sea Palms also includes overnight accommodations and you’ll find private homes and condominiums available as well. Many can be found through VRBO.
The button that follows takes you to the spot to book rooms directly with Sea Palms and to contact them for a wide variety of options for event planning.
The King & Prince Beach & Golf Resort
The King & Prince Golf Club is located at the north end of the island several miles from the resort itself. If you’re a guest at the resort you can request transportation to the course. The perfect location includes excellent practice facitlies and dramatic island holes as well as ancient forests.
The King & Prince clubhouse includes 100 Tabbystone, a restaurant and bar with an inside dining room and outdoor seating with lake and golf course views.
Sea Palms and the King & Prince are both included in the list of the Best Places to Stay on St. Simons Island. The complete listing in various price ranges are in the article.
Private Courses to Play Golf in St. Simons Island, Ga
Here is where you’ll find the best golf in the Golden Isles. Sea Island Resort offers three courses that are available to resort guests and club members. Frederica Club is strictly for members and has the newest course on Saint Simons Island.
The Sea Island Courses
All offer a remarkable experience and a challenging layout. The plantation course and the seaside course are home each fall to the RSM Classic hosted by Davis Love III (sneak at peek below at yours truly volunteering at the RSM).
The Retreat Course rounds out the island courses in the beautifully preserved natural surroundings that were once Retreat Plantation. You’ll find all three to be fantastic courses that will make the perfect destination for any golf trip.
Insiders tip: The most affordable option for playing the Sea Island courses is to book a stay at the Inn at Sea Island. It’s part of the resort but located on St. Simons Island and being a guest here will give you the option of playing Sea Island. Get more information or book your stay through this link.
More Places to Stay at Sea Island can be found here. Included are several private homes that would be perfect for your next golf trip.
Frederica Golf Club
Completely private and you will need to be a member or the guest of a member to play here, but if you get the opportunity you should not pass it up. Frederica Golf Club’s course is designed by Tom Fazio and many believed it to be his finest effort.
The course itself winds around a lake and through the natural surroundings that Saint Simons Island is known for. Mature forests, water features and five sets of tees are just the beginning of the delights you’ll find on Frederica’s course.
More golf courses in the Golden Isles
Heritage Oaks
This is a personal favorite of ours. It’s well maintained, very affordable and has some beautiful views. Heritage Oaks will be about a 30-35 minute drive from St. Simons Island.
It’s located in Brunswick, which we think is a hidden gem of a coastal Georgia city. Fun Things to Do in Brunswick are found here, and a whole slew of great Brunswick, Georgia, restaurants here.
Sanctuary Golf Club
This is another affordable but very enjoyable golf course and it sits just south of Brunswick. We’ve played Sanctuary quite a bit and always have a great time.
Jekyll Island golf courses
There are two 18 hole courses and a nine-hole course at Jekyll Island. The historic Great Dunes nine-hole course is currently undergoing a massive renovation which will restore it to its original 1920’s design. It is expected to re-open in late 2025.
All of the Jekyll Island courses are fun to play for any skill level of golfer and all are pretty affordable. It will take you about 20 minutes to get to Jekyll from St. Simons.
Miniature golf in St. Simons Island
Don’t forget the kids when planning your St. Simons trip that includes golf. Right next door to the lighthouse and part of the Neptune Park Fun Zone you’ll find an 18-hold miniature golf course.
Indoor golf nearby
The Inn by Sea Island is one of the spots we recommend when asked for about the best places to stay at St. Simons.
But, beyond that we love the bar and it even includes a Top Golf Swing Suite. Play a round virtually on any of hundreds of courses all over the world, all while sipping on something cool to drink. It’s perfect for a day when the weather isn’t great.
Currently planning a trip? Here are some helpful resources:
- Find the best hotel options here.
- Book the cheapest flight here.
- Find tons of tours and activities here.
- Book your rental car here.
Before you go…
Be sure to check out this other information that will be helpful as you plan your coastal Georgia trip:
- The Best Date Night Spots on St. Simons Island
- BBQ Road Trip Through Coastal Georgia (one of the local spots is a known hangout for golfers 🙂
- Things to Do on St. Simons Island Ga
- Best Restaurants of Darien Georgia
- Great Breakfast Spots at St. Simons Island
- Best Bars on St. Simons
- Restaurants on St. Simons That You Need to Try
- Eat Like a Local (this is where we take friends and family when they visit)
- St. Simons is one of the 15 Must Visit Barrier Islands Off the Coast of Georgia
- Driftwood Beach Guide
- Best Seafood Restaurants on St. Simons Island
- St. Simons Island Beach Guide
- Places to Stay at St. Simons Island
- Happy Hour Deals at St. Simons
- Fall Events in Coastal Georgia
- Dishes You Need to Try Along Georgia’s Coast
- Art Scene in the Golden Isles: Galleries, Events & Classes
- Walkable Places to Stay: St. Simons Island
- Bike Rental Guide
- St. Simons Island Day Trip from Savannah: A Local’s Guide
- Dog Friendly Beaches in Coastal Georgia
You need to update your info on Jekyll. The idiots in charge have closed the nine hole and closed Oleander to combine them and make one 18 hole course. That leaves only two courses open and they try to always schedule tournaments on those leaving no place for the locals or tourists to play. They also plan to raise the rates tremendously and think they will compete with Sea Palms and Hampton (both overpriced!).
Thanks Deborah! We’ve just been reading about the changes to golf at Jekyll. We will check it out and update.