Best Golf Courses in Savannah, GA: Public Courses Visitors Can Actually Play
By Best of Savannah
Best golf courses in Savannah, GA is a shorter list than most visitors expect, because several of the city's best-known clubs are private. The short answer: for a round you can book, start with The Club at Savannah Harbor on Hutchinson Island for a resort round with skyline views, Bacon Park for a historic Donald Ross municipal course that just turned 100, and Henderson Golf Club or Southbridge for a solid daily-fee round. Crosswinds near the airport adds a lighted par-3 course and a Toptracer range.
TL;DR: Savannah Golf at a Glance
- Best resort round: The Club at Savannah Harbor, the Westin's course on Hutchinson Island, open to hotel guests and the public.
- Most history: Bacon Park, the city-owned Donald Ross course that celebrated its 100th anniversary in October 2026.
- Best everyday public 18: Henderson Golf Club on the Southside and Southbridge on the west side.
- Best for practice or a quick nine: Crosswinds Golf Club near the airport, with a Toptracer range and a lighted par-3 course.
- Private (members and guests only): Savannah Country Club, The Savannah Golf Club, and Savannah Quarters Country Club.
- Booking tip: fall and spring are peak season here. Book weekend tee times before your trip, and confirm rates directly with the course.
Can Visitors Play Golf in Savannah?
Yes, but pick carefully. The public options are spread around the edges of town, not in the Historic District, so you will need a car or a rideshare to reach any of them. Our guide to whether you need a car in Savannah covers that tradeoff.
The closest course to downtown is The Club at Savannah Harbor, just across the river on Hutchinson Island. Bacon Park and Henderson sit on the Southside, Southbridge is to the west, and Crosswinds is out by the airport.
Which Savannah Golf Course Has the Best Views?
The Club at Savannah Harbor
This is the round most visitors picture when they think of golf in Savannah. The course belongs to The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa on Hutchinson Island, and Visit Savannah credits the design to Sam Snead and Bob Cupp. The layout runs along the Savannah River with views back toward the Historic District skyline.
Visit Savannah describes a risk-versus-reward layout with traditional-feeling greens and a large, dual-ended practice facility. Course listings say it is open to Westin guests and the public. Expect resort pricing, and check the course directly for current rates and tee times.
If you are not staying at the Westin, the riverfront hotels on the other bank are a short drive away. The JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District faces the island from River Street. Browse more options in our Savannah hotels directory.
Is There a Historic Golf Course in Savannah?
Bacon Park Golf Course
Bacon Park is Savannah's municipal course and its most historic public one. It is owned by the City of Savannah, sits at 1 Shorty Cooper Drive on the Southside, and is a Donald Ross design. The city and its operator, O.C. Welch Golf Properties, marked the course's 100th anniversary with a community event on October 3, 2026, according to WTOC.
Course listings describe 27 holes in three nines, named Cypress, Live Oak, and Magnolia, that pair into different 18-hole rounds. O.C. Welch has managed the course since 2014, and a multi-phase restoration has worked to bring the holes back toward Ross's original plans.
Bacon Park is a good value round with a relaxed pace, which makes it popular with locals and beginners. Reviews of course conditions are mixed, so set expectations for a classic municipal course rather than a resort.
What Are the Best Public Courses in Savannah?
Henderson Golf Club
Henderson Golf Club, at 1 Al Henderson Drive on the Southside, is a public 18-hole course designed by Mike Young that opened in 1995. It is part of the Chatham County parks system.
Reviewers describe an open, rolling front nine and a tree-lined back nine with undulating greens. There is a driving range and putting green. Listings note walking restrictions on some weekend days, so ask when you book.
Southbridge Savannah Golf Club
Southbridge, at 415 Southbridge Boulevard west of downtown, is a public par-72 course designed by Rees Jones. The holes wind through woodland and a residential community, with water in play and multiple tee options.
Southbridge lists tee times on GolfNow. In August and September 2026, 18-hole rates there ran roughly $42 to $56 with a cart. Treat those as a snapshot, not a quote: rates change by season and time of day.
Where Can You Play a Quick Round Near the Airport?
Crosswinds Golf Club
Crosswinds, at 232 James B. Blackburn Drive near Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, works well on an arrival or departure day. The main course is an 18-hole, par-72 parkland layout with open fairways, marsh, and ponds.
It also has a nine-hole executive par-3 course that is lit for night play. In fall 2024 the range added Toptracer technology in its 20 hitting bays, per WTOC, so you can track shots even if you skip the course entirely. Call ahead to confirm evening hours. Our Savannah airport to downtown guide covers the drive into the city.
Mary Calder Golf Club
For a quick, cheap nine, Mary Calder is a nine-hole course that opened in 1937. Listings describe it as semi-private with daily-fee play. It sits in an industrial area west of downtown, and reviews say conditions vary, so this is a casual round, not a destination one.
Which Savannah Golf Clubs Are Private?
Several of the area's best-known names are member clubs, so do not plan a trip around them unless you have a member to play with:
- Savannah Country Club: a Donald Ross course from 1927, formerly known as the Wilmington Island Club.
- The Savannah Golf Club: a private 18-hole championship course.
- Savannah Quarters Country Club: a Greg Norman signature course in a gated Pooler community.
Local tip: Book the earliest tee time you can from May through September. Savannah's heat and humidity build fast, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. In fall and spring, mid-morning rounds are comfortable, but those are also the busiest weeks, so reserve before you arrive.
When Is the Best Time to Golf in Savannah?
October through early December and March through May are the sweet spots, with mild temperatures and lower humidity. Our Savannah in October and Savannah in November guides cover weather and events if you are building a fall golf trip.
Winter is playable on most days and quieter on the tee sheet. See Savannah in winter for what to pack.
Is Hilton Head Worth the Drive for Golf?
If golf is the main reason for your trip, yes. Hilton Head Island is about 45 minutes to an hour from downtown Savannah, depending on traffic, and has a much deeper bench of resort courses. Many golfers stay in Savannah for food and history and drive over for one or two rounds. Our best day trips from Savannah guide covers the Hilton Head trip in more detail.
How Do You Plan a Savannah Golf Weekend?
- Day one: play The Club at Savannah Harbor in the morning, then cross back to River Street for dinner. Browse our Savannah restaurants directory for picks.
- Day two: play Bacon Park or Henderson early, then spend the afternoon in the squares or on a Savannah boat tour.
- Day three: head to Hilton Head for a resort round, or to Tybee with our Tybee Island day trip guide.
Planning a group trip? Our Savannah bachelor party guide pairs a tee time with bars, tours, and group dinners.
Bottom Line
The best golf in Savannah for visitors comes down to a handful of public courses. Play The Club at Savannah Harbor for views, Bacon Park for a century of history, and Henderson or Southbridge for a good-value 18. Use Crosswinds for a quick par-3 loop or range session near the airport. Skip the private clubs unless you have a member invite. Whichever you choose, confirm current rates and tee times directly with the course, and book ahead in fall and spring.
