Oak Marsh Golf Course
Located just south of the Florida/Georgia border is a coastal treasure known as Amelia Island, Florida.
The secret is out on this little slice of beachside heaven as Amelia Island was recently named the second-best “Island in the Continental United States” by Travel + Leisure as well as the top-ranked “Best Island in the United States” by Global Traveler.
Here are just a few of the reasons why these accolades are continually bestowed upon this special destination.
Oceanside and marshside golf
As you’d expect from a destination known for its incredible beaches, Amelia Island is home to several golf courses that feature holes with amazing ocean views and the extensive marshes that are synonymous with the area.
Two of these courses can be found at one of the area’s premier hotels, the Omni Amelia Island Resort. The first of the two courses that feature waterside holes is the Oak Marsh Golf Course. The course is currently closed for renovations and is scheduled to reopen on November 1, 2024. When it reopens, golfers will be able to expect the same challenge and charm that the course showcased in its original design by the legendary Pete Dye as Beau Welling and his team will look to modernize the course while enhancing the infrastructure to enhance the beauty and feel of the round.
You first get a look at the marshside holes on the Oak Marsh Golf Course when you pull up to the 9th tee, and from this point on throughout your round you’ll get more holes that run along the marsh including the par-3 12th hole, the par-3 16th hole, the par-4 17th hole, and the par-5 18th hole.
Here’s a look at the final 3 holes of Oak Marsh before the renovations, and we will be sure to bring you a look at this course once again once the renovations are complete:
In addition to the Oak Marsh Golf Course, the Omni Amelia Island Resort is also home to a private 18-hole golf course known as Long Point Golf Course designed by Tom Fazio.
While the course is private, they do allow a select number of rounds to be played here by guests of the resort and we certainly would recommend including it on your trip as the course boasts back-to-back par-3s that play along the beach that are among the best on the island. In addition to these oceanside par-3s, you’ll also find a wonderful variety of holes that play throughout the marsh and feature unbelievable views of the Amelia River.
Another oceanside golf experience that you should check out during your visit to the area is the Golf Club of Amelia Island at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. While the course doesn’t quite touch the ocean, there are plenty of wonderful holes that play along the marsh and the ocean is visible from the back of the par-5 15th hole.
In addition to these waterside beauties, the area also boasts the nearby 27-hole facility Fernandina Beach Golf Club, the 18-hole Tom Jackson-designed The Amelia River Club, the Arnold Palmer-designed Golf Club at North Hampton, and one of our favorites: The Little Sandy short course at the Omni Amelia Island Resort.
Perfect for families and couples
One of the things we love about Amelia Island is how much there is to see and do here beyond the golf courses making it a great place to stay for every member of your trip.
The beach is a major attraction here, and the location in Northeast Florida offers a wonderful climate to enjoy the sounds of waves crashing essentially year-round here. Another draw to the area is the multitude of activities you can immerse yourself in to enjoy the great outdoors in Amelia Island.
Visitors can enjoy an excursion to the Fort Clinch State Park where you can enjoy daily tours of the Civil War era fort, a kayak ride along the marshes, a hike along the beaches of Little or Big Talbot Island, or a bike ride through the oak tree canopied roads and trails that you find throughout the island.
These are just a few of the many activities that make it such a great place to get outside and enjoy the outdoors in addition to the golf courses here.
If you’re thinking of a trip just for you and your significant other, then a couples getaway to Amelia Island may be just what the doctor ordered. We suggest staying at one of the premier resorts on the island, namely the previously mentioned Omni Amelia Island Resort or The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island as these properties are exceptional at creating a high-end and romantic experience.
Speaking of the Omni, they have partnered with Golfweek to create the Amelia Island Couples Retreat on November 17-20, 2024 that includes a four-day, three-night stay at the Omni Amelia Island Resort, four rounds of golf including being among the first to play the newly renovated Oak Marsh Golf Course, a round on Long Point, a round at The Golf Club of Amelia Island, and a round on Little Sandy. It’s a great itinerary for a perfect couples getaway, and details for the trip can be found here if you’re looking for a perfect way to enjoy the best of Amelia Island on a couples golf trip.
Long Point
Recommendation
Whether it is for a family or a couples golf getaway, you really can’t go wrong with a vacation to Amelia Island. We’ve highlighted a couple of our favorite resorts in the area here for you, but there is also a huge variety of vacation rental properties, hotels, and bed & breakfasts that can serve as the perfect homebase for a trip here. Do yourself a favor and include at least one night of your trip to stroll around downtown Fernandina Beach as you’ll discover a variety of great shops, restaurants, and bars here such as Florida’s oldest bar: the Palace Saloon.
Overall, it’s a wonderful destination and you’ll quickly see why so many families have made Amelia Island a place they continue to visit year after year.