[Jake Marvin]

Hypothetically speaking, you have a free week in mid-March with which to see some (okay, many) golf courses in the southern US. You can cover any course from Louisiana north to Missouri and east to the coast, and anything southeast from there. You have no private access, but that's pretty much the only constraint. What are your favorite or most architecturally-interesting public courses in the region? Extra points for little-known gems.

[Brian Finn]

Where is the starting point for the trip (relevant mainly if meant to be a driving trip) or do you intend to fly somewhere?

My answer will probably be Pinehurst area regardless, but it helps to know basic logistics to make more specific recommendations.

[Ryan Hillenbrand]

Since we're talking public I'd have to say Pinehurst courses, specifically #2. I personally want to see Mid Pines, Pine Needles and Dormie but haven't played them.

May also want to check out Mossy Oak. Otherwise I'd imagine most of the area you speak of would still be pretty soggy and dormant.

[Brian Finn]

I agree with Ryan.  In Pinehurst you can play as many different courses as you can handle, and even replay some of your favorites.

Pinehurst #2 (plus anything else at the resort that may interest you)
Dormie
Mid Pines
Pine Needles
Southern Pines
Tobacco Road
The Cradle

That's just 'tier 1' options.  There are several other courses in the area you might consider, especially if you're trying to reduce your average cost per round and/or are willing to deviate from bonafide gca favorites.

[Jake Marvin]

Where is the starting point for the trip (relevant mainly if meant to be a driving trip) or do you intend to fly somewhere?

Driving out of Northern Indiana. Pinehurst is a likely stop for a couple days, but I haven't seen much of the South and that's the other goal here.

[Jason Topp]

Jake - for a combination of seeing the South and playing good golf, the following itinerary would include most of the courses touted here:


Pinehurst (Pine Needles, Mid-Pines, Dormie, Southern Pines, #2 if you want to spend a lot) - more of a golf destination


Charleston - Kiawah Ocean.  Tremendous history and architecture


Savannah - great city.  Best course I have played is May River.  Plenty of other options around Hilton Head and Savannah depending on budget


Aiken - Aiken Golf Club - short, quirky and fun in a city with plenty of history.

[Mark Pritchett]

Aitkin - Aitkin Golf Club - short, quirky and fun in a city with plenty of history.

Aiken GC -Aiken, SC

[Jason Topp]

Aitkin - Aitkin Golf Club - short, quirky and fun in a city with plenty of history.

Aiken GC -Aiken, SC

I knew I should have looked it up.  I will correct.

[Conley Hurst]

Here are a few thoughts "off the beaten path":

Louisiana - TPC Louisiana and the new Rees Jones course in City Park would be the best bets in the New Orleans area. Of course, you wouldn't be visiting NOLA just for the golf...

Mississippi - Mossy Oak and Old Waverly, both fine courses, are essentially across the street from each other and, I think, offer stay and play packages together. They're between Starkville and Columbus, both neat small towns. There's some decent golf in the Biloxi area as well, particularly Fazio's Fallen Oak which should be in good shape that time of year.

Alabama - There are RTJ Trail stops in most of the major cities including Birmingham (great food scene) and Montgomery (tons of history).

Arkansas - My home state is pretty lacking when it comes to good public golf. The one exception is Mystic Creek near El Dorado. It is brutal but can be quite fun if you don't mind racking up a big score around the greens. El Dorado has a charming town square.

Georgia - The Mountain Lake course at Callaway Gardens near Columbus is a really fun layout in my opinion, though the conditioning can be questionable that early in the season. It's a pretty part of the state. There's also a fantastic bbq place just down the road in Pine Mountain called Three Lil' Pigs.

South Carolina - Greenville is a fantastic town with plenty of great food. You could check out the Furman University Golf Club, recently renovated by Kris Spence in a "faux-Ross" style, which is situated on the beautiful Furman campus.

[Greg Gilson]

I am not a local but isn't Pinehurst still a little frigid in mid March? I visit there regularly in mid April & the Bermuda is often still dormant?

[John Kavanaugh]

I am not a local but isn't Pinehurst still a little frigid in mid March? I visit there regularly in mid April & the Bermuda is often still dormant?

We had a GCA outing during Super Bowl weekend in 2015. The weather was perfect, the play was highlighted by a JC Jones Eagle. Great shot JC!!!

[Pete Lavallee]

Try to find time for a round at Sweetens Cove; it’s in Tenn. on the Al. border one hour west of Chattanooga. Although it’s only 9 holes it is a fantastic redesign of pretty boring course. The new layout is an absolute blast with great variety and awesome conditioning. There’s another 9 holer not far from there, Seawanee which just had a Gil Hanse makeover.

[Chris Mavros]

Here are some areas/courses I would consider going counter clockwise from IN:


1. MS Gulf Coast area.  Lots of good options here.  Fallen Oak, Great Southern, Grand Bear, Shell Landing.


2. About 1.5 hours away is New Orleans where I'd play the Audubon near Tulane.  A short course but within the city park system and has a   great feel.  TPC Louisiana and English Turn are worth a look as well.


3.  You could stay along the Gulf coast heading east and visit Kiva Dunes, Rock Creek GC, The Hombre


4.  Or you could go north and play some of the RTJ trail in AL


5.  Further east over near Jacksonville has a couple nice ones, Sawgrass, Hyde Park, Timuquana


6.  Moving north from there is Hilton Head and Savannah, about 45 minutes away from each other


7.  As mentioned, Pinehurst area is further north with probably the best golf and sheer number of quality courses


8.  Head back home towards Chattanooga and spend a couple days at Sweeten's Cove for a nice ending to the trip

[Jay Mickle]

I am not a local but isn't Pinehurst still a little frigid in mid March? I visit there regularly in mid April & the Bermuda is often still dormant?

Average daily high in mid March is 60 degrees. A bit less expensive than April and May.

[Jeff Shelman]

I would err toward the southern part of the South. While March can be great, it can also be cold.

I'd vote more for Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. But I'd try to get to Sweetens.

[Mike Sweeney]

The Mike Stranz trail would be fun. Most of it is in the area you are targeting:


http://www.golfvacationinsider.com/golf-course-architects/mike-strantz-golf-courses-17386

[Matt MacIver]

If you’re gonna do it, then Sawgrass, Cusacawilla, Harbour Town, Kiawah, Caledonia and then head in-land to Pinehurst and work your way through many NC and TN public Rosses back home. 

[Jim Lipstate]

In March I would stick closer to the Gulf of Mexico as you never know what you might get temperature wise further inland. Further afield in Louisiana you could check out the Golden Nugget golf course in Lake Charles. This design by Todd Eckenrode has echoes of the Olympic Course in Brazil. I can recommend Kiva Dunes in Gulf Shores, Alabama a Jerry Pate design. SanDestin, Florida has The Raven and Burnt Pines courses. Only place on the planet with RTJ, Jr. and Rees Jones courses side by side. Kelly Plantation and Regatta Bay are also nice courses. The Destin area has the prettiest white sand beaches and clear blue water in the continental US. March is usually a good time as it typically is before spring break crowds.

[Conley Hurst]

Try to find time for a round at Sweetens Cove; it’s in Tenn. on the Al. border one hour west of Chattanooga. Although it’s only 9 holes it is a fantastic redesign of pretty boring course. The new layout is an absolute blast with great variety and awesome conditioning. There’s another 9 holer not far from there, Seawanee which just had a Gil Hanse makeover.

I'd second Sweetens Cove as well as the Sewanee course. The Inn at Sewanee is quite nice and directly abuts the course. In mid-March, though, the weather could still be quite questionable in Eastern Tennessee. And the bermuda would still be fully dormant.


Pinehurst should be starting to green up by that time of the year, though it would still be largely dormant. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. I played No. 2 a few years ago in February and the conditions could not have been better...

[Michael Whitaker]

Here are a few thoughts "off the beaten path":

Louisiana - TPC Louisiana and the new Rees Jones course in City Park would be the best bets in the New Orleans area. Of course, you wouldn't be visiting NOLA just for the golf...

Mississippi - Mossy Oak and Old Waverly, both fine courses, are essentially across the street from each other and, I think, offer stay and play packages together. They're between Starkville and Columbus, both neat small towns. There's some decent golf in the Biloxi area as well, particularly Fazio's Fallen Oak which should be in good shape that time of year.

Alabama - There are RTJ Trail stops in most of the major cities including Birmingham (great food scene) and Montgomery (tons of history).

Arkansas - My home state is pretty lacking when it comes to good public golf. The one exception is Mystic Creek near El Dorado. It is brutal but can be quite fun if you don't mind racking up a big score around the greens. El Dorado has a charming town square.

Georgia - The Mountain Lake course at Callaway Gardens near Columbus is a really fun layout in my opinion, though the conditioning can be questionable that early in the season. It's a pretty part of the state. There's also a fantastic bbq place just down the road in Pine Mountain called Three Lil' Pigs.

South Carolina - Greenville is a fantastic town with plenty of great food. You could check out the Furman University Golf Club, recently renovated by Kris Spence in a "faux-Ross" style, which is situated on the beautiful Furman campus.

March is a horrible time to visit golf courses in Upstate South Carolina. Every course will still be in transition from dormancy and in terrible condition... including Furman, my home course. 


March in the South is a difficult time for golf. Be sure to check conditions with any course you are planning to visit.

[Tim Lane]

If you end up in the Pinehurst area I agree with an earlier post that Mid Pines should definitely be on your list.  I love Pinehurst #2 at the Resort, and staying there is an experience itself. But this fall we did a short 4 round trip to Pine Needles & Mid Pines (2 rounds at each), staying at Pine Needles. I thought Mid Pines was outstanding--maybe the second best course in the Pinehurst area...all the more so if you bring $ value into the equation. It really evokes Donald Ross attributes and can be enjoyed by low and mid handicappers alike.

[Pete_Pittock]

Any thoughts on FarmLinks at Pursell Farms, hasn't been mentioned here for many years.   I know it has a big drop-shot but what else?  It tops the Alabama state list for Golfweek, but is totally missing on Golf Digest.
 
Flying into Dallas and driving to Pensacola over two days. Know it is not on the main route, but that doesn't bother me. .

[Todd Metz]

You could stop in Hattiesburg, MS and play Hattiesburg Country Club with me. I can also get you on at Canebrake as the pro is a buddy of mine. It’s also just about an hour from Biloxi and 1.5 hours from New Orleans. Just let me know.

[Peter Gannon]

Concurring with most that Pinehurst, no 2, Mid Pines, Southern Pines, Pine Needles, and Dormie Club are the way to go! 


Charleston gives you a great contemporary experience, but also a true Southern sense, the bad and recent good.  BUT, I personally prefer Harbor Town and Hilton Head.   I wouldn't spend that much time there, just play Harbor Town and drive down to Sea Island. 


 I also think the criteria would include Streamsong, which I imagine, would be great in mid March.  As a reformed South Texan, mid March is about the comfort cutoff for that latitude. 


Sounds like a great trip! 

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