Reynolds Lake Oconee
Life on the lake is always a good idea. If you are looking to enjoy one of the best lakeside communities in the country, then Reynolds Lake Oconee should be right at the top of your list.
This stunning resort community features over 12,000 acres of lakefront property, and for many homeowners here, their journey to making Reynolds their primary or secondary residence started with being a guest of the resort.
Located about a 90-minute drive east of Atlanta, Reynolds Lake Oconee provides a serene sanctuary that features eight championship golf courses making it one of the largest golf properties in the country. Of the eight courses, five are available for vacationing golfers to play giving you a wonderful variety of designs that vary in layout and challenge. One constant though is that they are maintained impeccably, and after a visit here, you’ll quickly understand why people decide to “linger longer” at Reynolds Lake Oconee.
Reynolds Lake Oconee
Golf for resort guests
Of the five courses accessible to resort guests, Great Waters tends to be the layout that gets the most recognition from the media, and rightfully so. It’s a Jack Nicklaus Signature design that feels a bit more playable than others in his portfolio. If you can navigate the tree-lined tee shots and find the fairway, the challenge certainly lies on the green as we find this course to be an approach shot focused design. The front nine is the more gettable of the two, and it’s the back nine where you really get some of the most spectacular views onsite that play along the waters of Lake Oconee. In true Nicklaus fashion, ball striking is rewarded here, and we think it’s a must on any Reynolds golf trip itinerary.
The remaining four resort accessible courses each provide their own charm and blend seamlessly into a golf trip schedule. A personal favorite of our team is the Rees Jones-designed course known as The Oconee. This course packs quite a punch. There is more of a premium on accuracy off the tee here as multiple holes require playing from the correct angles for ideal approach shots. It’s one of our favorite Rees Jones designs in the country as the entire round is full of Southern charm, and the challenging 18th hole will likely be one of your favorite holes on property.
The Preserve provides a more gettable design that tips out at just under 6,700 yards. This Bob Cupp design, in consultation with Fuzzy Zoeller and Hubert Green, has created arguably the most fun layout at Reynolds. The National was designed by the legendary Tom Fazio, and true to form for Fazio, this course does an exceptional job of highlighting the beauty of the property. Your round will feature some dramatic elevation changes, and it is a favorite of both members and resort guests alike. Finally, The Landing at Reynolds Lake Oconee provides another Bob Cupp that blends the parkland setting with links-style design influences to create a perfect combination of elements that make for an intriguing round.
While some larger resorts have courses that feel like you can easily skip during your visit, that isn’t the case at Reynolds. We hope you are able to stay onsite long enough to take in all these great layouts.
Reynolds Lake Oconee
Where to stay
If there’s one thing we hear often from golf groups these days, it’s that many of them are interested in finding a destination where they can have a shared living room space so the group can all gather together and reminisce about the old days, talk trash about who won the money on the course that day, and maybe open up a deck of cards and give those who lost on the course a chance to redeem themselves with a card game. Reynolds is exceptional at providing these opportunities for guests, and they’ve recently added to that portfolio of options with their new 4-bedroom Parkland Court Cottages that are adjacent to The Landing and join the 3-to 4-bedroom Landing Cottages as incredible options for golf groups. Like the wildly successful National Club Cottages, which provide a similar experience near The National Tavern, these multi-bedroom units provide a massive shared area and first-class furnishings to create a “home away from home” feel for you and your group. Another great option are the condos at The Village at Lake Club Pointe which provide 2-to 3-bedroom condos for golf groups creating a lot of flexibility for groups of any size.
If your crew is interested in a more traditional hotel experience, then it doesn’t get any better than The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee. As you’ve come to expect with The Ritz-Carlton brand, no detail is overlooked as the high-end experience has a myriad of great dining options, a stunning adults-only infinity pool, a family pool area, plenty of lake life activities, and more. The lobby bar is always a great way to start or end a night, and we recommend you inquire about sneaking into the hidden speakeasy called The Cove for an exceptional nightcap.
Reynolds Lake Oconee
Life at Reynolds Lake Oconee
So many guests who visit Reynolds quickly fall in love with this area. It is incredible how many times we have heard a story of somebody came with their family or friends for a visit here, and before they knew it they were sitting down in the real estate office planning either a permanent move or purchasing land to build a second home. The reason is simple: the community and people that make up the membership here are fantastic. The environment balances a combination of elevated Southern hospitality, genuine manners, and a care for one’s neighbor that emanates throughout the property.
Lots and homes are available at numerous price points and locations, and for those with larger budgets there are some breathtaking lots on the water that still come up for availability as they release inventory here on a limited basis. Homeowners can also enjoy various tiers of membership, and only members can have the opportunity to play the Jim Engh-designed Creek Club, the Tom-Fazio designed Richland course, and their latest addition of the new Steve Smyers-designed Fenmoor Golf Club. Believe us, these three premium layouts are worth the price of admission.
The team at Reynolds has figured out how to create a seamless balance of both resort guests and members all under one roof that somehow enhances the experience for all. It’s one of our favorite destinations to visit, and no matter where you stay or where you play here, we know you will love it too.