Great Waters GC- hole 2
Reynolds Plantation is a large residential and resort development an hour east of Atlanta, Georgia.
It includes 6 golf courses- all designed by leading architects in rolling terrain along the shoreline of Lake Oconee.
The courses are:
- Reynolds Landing designed by Bob Cupp
- Reynolds Plantation designed by Bob Cupp
- Great Waters designed by Jack Nicklaus
- The National- 27 holes designed by Tom Fazio
- Oconee designed by Rees Jones
- Creek Club (private) designed by Jim Engh
Great Waters
The Great Waters course was opened in 1992, and hosted The Anderson Consulting World Championship of Golf from 1995 to 1997.
It is generally regarded as the best of the courses at Reynolds and incorporates the lake shoreline more than the other courses.
However the course has a lot more going for it than it's exposure to the lake.
Nicklaus designs always place emphasis on strategic play, and Great Waters uses rocky creeks, ponds, the lake, and elevation change to provide a variety of hazards to keep the player constantly on his toes.
And the setting at Great Waters is drop dead gorgeous!
Great Waters- hole 9
In season, with the azaleas and dogwoods in full colour, with blue skies and the sun shining- it would be one of the prettiest places you will ever find to play golf.
Notable holes include:
- hole 2, a rolling par 5 to a green protected by a pond and with a background of azaleas. The water keeps you honest, and the setting is very photogenic (see top picture)
- hole 4, a downhill par 3, with a rocky creek protecting the front of the green and azaleas in full bloom behind
- hole 5, a shortish dogleg par 4 reminscent of the great par 5's along Rae's Creek at Augusta National. The hole doglegs left with a creek winding down the left perimeter of the fairway. The creek also runs across in front of the diagonal green with a stone wall imposing on the green side. The preferred tee shot is a draw to open up the green and the miss to the right will go through into the pine straw leaving a challenging approach.
Great Waters- hole 4
Great Waters- hole 5
- hole 9, a short downhill par 4 toward the lake. Care needs to be taken with both the length and line of the tee sot and the shot approach needs to negotiate the lake (see picture mid article)
- hole 11, a short par 4 with an extremely wide shallow green. When the pin is on the right hand end of the green it is an unremarkable short hole in a lovely setting by the lake. When the pin is on the left hand end of the green it is a different kettle of fish! The approach becomes a real challenge and the tee shot needs to be thoughtfully placed..
Great Waters- hole 11
- hole 14, a spectacular mid length par 3 with lake carry from tee to green. Framed by pine trees and azaleas at rear and on the left it is a memorable hole.
- hole 16, a long par 4 downhill with a tee shot through a chute of pine trees and a green sitting on a promontory with lake long and left and nicely bunkered. The approach needs to well struck and accurate.
Great Waters- hole 14
Great Waters- hole 16
Great Waters is both challenging and playable and one of the prettiest courses I have played.
Members and residents of Reynolds Plantation are blessed to have this and 5 other quality courses at their disposal.
And it is a very nice place to stay- and a good base for a trip to The Masters.
Enquiries
Please contact us if you have an interest in a golf tour including The Great Waters Course at Reynolds Plantation.
For itinerary suggestions see Golf Tours: USA
The Travelling Golfer can tailor trips to suit your group!
