Masters Week Golf

[Edward Buchanan]

Will be attending my first Masters this year on Saturday and am beyond excited. My buddy and I are hoping to find a fun course to play somewhere outside of Augusta (100 miles?) on Friday. Any recommendations? Looking for something fun and memorable under $150, but not necessarily something out of this world. Think more carts and beer golf than walking and photographs.  That being said, would still prefer an interesting piece of property.  I will be driving from Nashville via Atlanta and he will be driving from Jacksonville.  Finding some sort of two-man tournament would be fun as well if anyone knows of one.  Seems like something courses in the area would do during Masters week?  We looked into Cuscowilla, but it's a bit too pricey to roll out of a car to the first tee after a 6 hour drive.

Thanks!

Ed Buchanan
Nashville, TN

[Jake Marvin]

Looks like Aiken would fit the bill.

[Matt Frey, PGA]

I attended my first Masters last year and my folks were able to join me and my wife. We stayed in Columbia, South Carolina, and my dad and I played Timberlake in nearby Chapin. It's a solid course built in the late 80s by Willard Byrd. There are some good holes out there for sure, but it's middle of the Doak scale, IMO. I found it to be great for our one round down there, as we had similar "requirements" as you listed.

[Cal Seifert]

Cuscowilla allows outside play during Masters week and overnight accommodations if needed.

https://www.cuscowilla.com/masters-week/

[Tim Martin]

Ed-Have a fantastic time and make sure you check out the peach ice cream sandwich!

[jeffwarne]

Bad week for affordable golf in Augusta.
$600 green fee Augusta cc-great condition now with massive overseed
Palmetto's up to $200 or 250 (certainly a far better value than ACC-but not the location)
Aiken GC may be $100 this week-maybe 75

a good value for the low maintenace crowd is Midland Valley near Aiken on the Augusta side-in poor scruffy condition but highly playable.
No oversed .probably $50 or less that week
A very solid Maples design, interesting holes and many fun doglegs-great terrain-great slope and tilt on greens.
Despite being a member at Palmetto I generally play MV during Master as it's less busy. (Plametto is sold out Masters week and membrs play around available times)


Midland Valley is bare bones though with a crumbling clubhouse and NO money going back into the course-cash cow.
So a high maintenance guest will not "get it"

[Edward Buchanan]

Thanks for the useful replies! I'll check out some of these potential spots. 

[Tim Leahy]

Gordon Lakes Golf Course at Fort Gordon in Augusta is an option. RT Jones course open to public play.

[Edward Glidewell]

Cherokee Run in Conyers, GA is $100 during Masters week and that includes lunch and a couple of other items: https://www.cherokeerungolfclub.com/masters-package/


It's an Arnold Palmer course and mostly inoffensive (although there are a couple of holes I hate), but I played there in a charity scramble a few months ago and it was in excellent shape at that time. It's about 2 hours from Augusta though so it may be farther than you'd want to go -- you should be driving right past it from Nashville, but your friend coming from Jacksonville would have to go well out of his way.

There's also the Harbor Club at Lake Oconee -- I think it's better than Cherokee Run, but it's not especially memorable either. It's only about an hour from Augusta and they are charging $179 for Masters week. http://www.harborclub.com/blog/golf-at-harbor-club-masters-week




Enjoy the Masters! I've been twice and it's quite an experience to see the course in person. The cheap concession prices don't hurt either.

[Rees Milikin]

Play the Hard Labor Creek Golf Course.  It is in a state park and is pretty fun with some solid holes...and inexpensive.  I play it every time I visit my parents and always enjoy my rounds there.

[Jeff Schley]

Bad week for affordable golf in Augusta.
$600 green fee Augusta cc-great condition now with massive overseed
Palmetto's up to $200 or 250 (certainly a far better valueand a better course than ACC)
A

$600 wow!  Do they allow outside play during the masters week?  I guess so, never knew that, but can't say I will ever find out at that price.

[Cal Seifert]

Bad week for affordable golf in Augusta.
$600 green fee Augusta cc-great condition now with massive overseed
Palmetto's up to $200 or 250 (certainly a far better valueand a better course than ACC)
A

$600 wow!  Do they allow outside play during the masters week?  I guess so, never knew that, but can't say I will ever find out at that price.

When looking at the stubhub Masters ticket prices, $600 seems in that ballpark of craziness. 

[Kalen Braley]

Bad week for affordable golf in Augusta.
$600 green fee Augusta cc-great condition now with massive overseed
Palmetto's up to $200 or 250 (certainly a far better valueand a better course than ACC)
A

$600 wow!  Do they allow outside play during the masters week?  I guess so, never knew that, but can't say I will ever find out at that price.

When looking at the stubhub Masters ticket prices, $600 seems in that ballpark of craziness.

Its always cracked me up how people will fawn over the dirt low concession prices at the Masters....all the while forgetting how they had to mortgage the house just to get in. 


Maybe I should open a steak house with that model.  $5 Filet Mingons, $3 glass of wine, $2 desserts.....just pay $50 per person for a table sitting fee! 

[Tom ORourke]

Also in Aiken, Woodside Plantation. Tee Times fees: $140.00 Per Player - Includes Cart Fee, Green Fee. Cupp course was overseeded so is in fairly good shape despite a cool spring. Greens are in great shape.

[Edward Glidewell]

Its always cracked me up how people will fawn over the dirt low concession prices at the Masters....all the while forgetting how they had to mortgage the house just to get in. 

Maybe I should open a steak house with that model.  $5 Filet Mingons, $3 glass of wine, $2 desserts.....just pay $50 per person for a table sitting fee! 

Well, to be fair, the face value isn't that high. If you get them through the lottery you aren't paying any more than the price of a ticket to an NFL game (and maybe less).

I agree with you though -- as much fun as I had both times I attended, I'd never pay that price. I've been lucky and went once through the lottery and once through an Augusta friend who had both family tickets (which he no longer has, unfortunately) and contacts for additional tickets.

If I ever do go back, I'd prefer to go for a practice round. I don't really like being there on tournament days because it's impossible to keep up with what's happening and you miss far too much of the excitement.

[Tim Martin]

Its always cracked me up how people will fawn over the dirt low concession prices at the Masters....all the while forgetting how they had to mortgage the house just to get in. 

Maybe I should open a steak house with that model.  $5 Filet Mingons, $3 glass of wine, $2 desserts.....just pay $50 per person for a table sitting fee! 

Well, to be fair, the face value isn't that high. If you get them through the lottery you aren't paying any more than the price of a ticket to an NFL game (and maybe less).

I agree with you though -- as much fun as I had both times I attended, I'd never pay that price. I've been lucky and went once through the lottery and once through an Augusta friend who had both family tickets (which he no longer has, unfortunately) and contacts for additional tickets.

If I ever do go back, I'd prefer to go for a practice round. I don't really like being there on tournament days because it's impossible to keep up with what's happening and you miss far too much of the excitement.

Practice rounds are the way to go. The players are loose and engage with the fans and picture taking is permitted. It’s great to watch the players try to skip balls on the pond on sixteen which Is something you cannot witness in the tournament proper. The atmosphere is first rate.

[Michael Whitaker]

Edward,

Go to Arrowhead Pointe Golf Club at Richard B Russell State Park near Elberton, GA (80 miles from Augusta).

http://www.arrowheadpointegc.com/

At $34 - $39 per player it will be the BEST value you have ever received on a golf purchase in your entire life!!!

[Edward Glidewell]

Edward,

Go to Arrowhead Pointe Golf Club at Richard B Russell State Park near Elberton, GA (80 miles from Augusta).

http://www.arrowheadpointegc.com/

At $34 - $39 per player it will be the BEST value you have ever received on a golf purchase in your entire life!!!

I almost suggested this. I've never played there (although I'd love to) but have heard/read great things. The only reason I didn't is because my understanding is it takes at least 2 hours to get there from Augusta despite only being 80 miles away due to the lack of any direct route.


But Cherokee Run isn't any closer so Arrowhead Pointe is likely the better choice of the two, especially for less than half the price.

[Michael Whitaker]

Go to Arrowhead Pointe. If you are not pleased I will refund your purchase price!!!

[jeffwarne]

Bad week for affordable golf in Augusta.
$600 green fee Augusta cc-great condition now with massive overseed
Palmetto's up to $200 or 250 (certainly a far better valueand a better course than ACC)
A

$600 wow!  Do they allow outside play during the masters week?  I guess so, never knew that, but can't say I will ever find out at that price.

When looking at the stubhub Masters ticket prices, $600 seems in that ballpark of craziness.

Its always cracked me up how people will fawn over the dirt low concession prices at the Masters....all the while forgetting how they had to mortgage the house just to get in. 

$100 per day for the best sporting event in the world?
Go to any sporting event and you'll pay that in concessions.(and get to see prima donna spoiled players and abnoxious fans)


Augusta's not getting the marup on the $10,500 scalper's tix-they could but they don't

[Sean_A]

Bad week for affordable golf in Augusta.
$600 green fee Augusta cc-great condition now with massive overseed
Palmetto's up to $200 or 250 (certainly a far better valueand a better course than ACC)
Aiken GC may be $100 this week-maybe 75

a good value for the low maintenace crowd is Midland Valley near Aiken on the Augusta side-in poor scruffy condition but highly playable.
No oversed .probably $50 or less that week
A very solid Maples design, interesting holes and many fun doglegs-great terrain-great slope and tilt on greens.
Despite being a member at Palmetto I generally play MV during Master as it's less busy. (Plametto is sold out Masters week and membrs play around available times)


Midland Valley is bare bones though with a crumbling clubhouse and NO money going back into the course-cash cow.
So a high maintenance guest will not "get it"

I would pay $250 to play Palmetto during Masters week if I was on a Masters holiday.  I would also stay in Aiken if possible.


Ciao

[Mark Pritchett]

Edward,

Go to Arrowhead Pointe Golf Club at Richard B Russell State Park near Elberton, GA (80 miles from Augusta).

http://www.arrowheadpointegc.com/

At $34 - $39 per player it will be the BEST value you have ever received on a golf purchase in your entire life!!!

This.

[Mike Hendren]

The $600 fee at Augusta CC is a bargain if one can arrange to play late and blend into the patio scene at the back of the clubhouse in the evening.   Seersucker optional.  Order the milkshake cocktail thing. 

Bogey

[John_Cullum]

Edward,

Go to Arrowhead Pointe Golf Club at Richard B Russell State Park near Elberton, GA (80 miles from Augusta).

http://www.arrowheadpointegc.com/

At $34 - $39 per player it will be the BEST value you have ever received on a golf purchase in your entire life!!!

This.

That might be good for Ed, but it sucks for the guy who's driving from Jacksonville.

[Rees Milikin]

Cuscowilla allows outside play during Masters week and overnight accommodations if needed.

https://www.cuscowilla.com/masters-week/

Seconded