Georgia is well known for its stunning and challenging golf courses. People the world over know about The Masters® tournament every April, but true masters of Georgia golf know that the pristine setting and classic design of Little Ocmulgee’s Wallace Adams Golf Course offers a similar experience for a fraction of the price.

Ranked as one of the best courses in the Southeast, the Wallace Adams course is surrounded by loblolly pines, willows, and magnolias, creating the perfect natural setting for a round reminiscent of the legendary Masters® course. I’ve seen the Augusta icon, but like most Georgians, will never get a chance to play it. That’s why I frequent Wallace Adams at Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge.

Wallace Adams is a course for everyone. I like to describe it as friendly because the course allows players to play distraction free, without worry of hidden water hazards and secret sand traps. Skilled players and beginners alike will love the challenge of the front nine, where the pines and vegetation hug each hole, creating beautifully crafted settings that require shot-making skills. I score better when I make well-thought shots off the tee instead of hitting purely for distance on every drive.

The back nine, originally designed by O.C. Jones of the Robert Trent Jones family, is less restrictive and features smaller, sloping greens that follow doglegging fairways. Regardless of the style of play, golfers here must be thoughtful of each shot. Every playing style – long-ball hitters and short-game strikers – must use their skills wisely. I got in trouble trying to air it out in hopes of straightening the doglegs. If you make it, it can pay off, but be careful. If you don’t make it, you can easily find yourself in a difficult situation. I learned my lesson after having to punch out of deep rough when I didn’t clear a stand of pines. I suggest picking your spots carefully in the fairways to set up skillful second and third shots to lower your score.

Along the way I enjoyed the lush Bermuda fairways and TifEagle Bermuda greens that are as pristine as the most renowned golf resorts in the world. Grabbing a cart is always an option, but I suggest taking the time to walk the course, which is allowed year-round. Walking let me see every bend, every hump, and every hazard from a new perspective, giving me the information I needed to lower my score in subsequent rounds.

The full-service pro shop at Wallace Adams course had everything I needed to be ready to play. It had the full range of golf accessories, clubs, apparel, and more. I brought my own, but if packing your clubs is not an option for your stay at Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge, the pro shop also has clubs for rent.

The practice area at Wallace Adams is well maintained and was the perfect place to get in the groove before my tee time. The chipping area features approaches like what I saw on the course and the practice green was the same speed as those on the course and gave me the chance to learn how to read the greens before teeing off.

There is also a fully stocked snack and beverage bar so you can properly fuel your round. A Bloody Mary to start and a couple of beers after 18 holes was the perfect way to end a great round of golf.

I also noticed during my stay at Little Ocmulgee that Wallace Adams Golf Course is a favorite among locals who are lucky enough to live nearby. But with the lodge at Little Ocmulgee State Park on site, it is also the perfect place for a full-fledged golf getaway. There is even an airstrip nearby so you can fly in to stay and play. It’s easy for me to see why Wallace Adams Golf Course is perennially ranked among the top courses in Georgia.

Book your next golf retreat by visiting us online or calling 229-868-7474. Tee times can be made ahead of your arrival at https://little-ocmulgee-golf-course.book.teeitup.com or by calling the Golf Pro Shop at 229-868-6651.