Reynolds Lake Oconee
Seeing the “Linger Longer Road” sign as you make the turn for Reynolds Lake Oconee gives a foreshadowing of what’s in store at this luxury lakefront resort community that’s also one of the nation’s biggest golf destination properties.
Reynolds Lake Oconee sits at the midpoint between Atlanta and Augusta in Georgia, conveniently situated just over 80 miles from both the nation’s busiest airport hub and the hallowed private club that hosts the Masters Tournament every April.
It can feel a world removed from both; an idyllic retreat set on more than 350 miles of peaceful shoreline. While boating, fishing, water sports and other outdoor activities are key parts of the property’s appeal as a vacation and lifestyle playground, golf is the primary draw, with seven 18-hole championship courses, including five that are open to public or resort play.
Boasting 126 holes in total now, Reynolds Lake Oconee is the second-largest single destination for golf in the U.S., trailing only Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina (189 holes). Bandon Dunes in Oregon has 122 holes across its seven courses. Boyne Golf counts 171 holes in Northern Michigan, but that’s spread across three different resorts.
Even if you count just the public golf holes at Reynolds Lake Oconee, it falls in the same tier as getaways like Kiawah Island Golf Resort (S.C.), Crystal Springs Resort (N.J.), LaQuinta Resort & Club (Calif.), and Sand Valley Resort (Wisc.)
The golf
The resort courses at Reynolds have all been recognized among the best public layouts in Georgia and were designed by a diverse group of golf architects:
Great Waters: This Jack Nicklaus Signature course underwent a significant 18-month renovation, re-opening just before the pandemic, and is known for dramatic lakefront holes;
The Landing: One of Bob Cupp’s original designs, this Scottish-inspired layout with rolling hills, wooded landscapes and lake views helped establish Reynolds as a golf destination;
The National: With surprising elevation changes and a wide variety in hole design and shot-making opportunities, this Tom Fazio layout was downsized from the original 27 holes to expand the property’s newest private course;
The Oconee: Designed by Rees Jones, this picturesque course meanders through the forest, features tranquil waterfalls and ponds, and dramatically plays along and over the coves of Lake Oconee;
The Preserve: Another Bob Cupp design, The Preserve was the first course on property and is known for its playability while embracing the natural rolling topography.
The private options for community members include the new Richland course and a wild ride in the architecturally distinctive Creek Club designed by Jim Engh.
Richland, which debuted in 2024, added nine new holes while incorporating the former Bluff 9 from The National into its routing. The new section features more than 100 feet of elevation change, open vistas, and tall native grasses that create a playing experience unlike anything else on the property.
Great Waters at Reynolds Lake Oconee
Luxury accommodations
The property’s crown jewel is the world’s only lakefront Ritz-Carlton and its 257 recently renovated guest rooms, suites, and cottages.
While the Ritz is the pinnacle of luxury with its spa and fine dining options, Reynolds Lake Oconee offers a range of lodging options, including those for bigger groups or family getaways. Among them:
- National Club cottages
Four-bedroom cottages with expansive porches and spectacular golf views; perfect for groups of golfers or families seeking space and comfort.
- The Landing cottages
Three or four-bedroom cottages offering convenience and comfort in The Landing complex.
- The Village at Lake Club Pointe
Two or three-bedroom condominiums that provide all the comforts of home for families and smaller groups.
Whether full-time or seasonal, Reynolds Lake Oconee is home to a growing residential community, one that includes names like USGA CEO Mike Whan and college football coaches Kirby Smart (Georgia) and James Franklin (Penn State). There are now about 4,000 members within the broader community, fueling growing demand that precipitated the addition of the newest golf course.
Reynolds Lake Oconee
Beyond golf
Golf is the centerpiece attraction, but Reynolds is a complete lifestyle resort community with 11 on-site restaurants and a wealth of activities for all ages.
There are four full-service marinas for boating and water sports, 21 miles of hiking and biking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, a revamped spa and fitness facilities, and the newer Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds for shooting, archery, and fishing.
With its abundance of peaceful pursuits, the name of the entry road encapsulates the property’s “Linger Longer” philosophy and sums up the overall experience — from the picturesque lake to the great golf — that await visitors to this gem of a Georgia getaway.