Great Golf Deals at Georgia State Parks

Wallace Adams Golf Course at Little Ocmulgee State Park

Are you looking for golf deals in all the wrong places?

While cost conscious golf travelers, understandably, flock to golf trails and budget resorts, there are also money-saving deals and great golf to be found at state parks, especially in Georgia.

If you like excellent golf with greens fees in the $25 to $50 price range, I highly suggest you head to Georgia.

Georgia State Parks offer special packages that include lodging and golf.  For example, The Creek at Hard Labor Creek State Park has two day/two night stays in a cabin and two days of golf, starting at $105 per night. To review the packages, click to: Georgia State Parks Golf Packages

Here's the superb menu of courses if you've got "Georgia On Your Mind":

Arrowhead Pointe at Richard B. Russell State Park near Elberton--Bring your camera along with your "A" game to this picturesque 6,800-yard layout that's situated on a peninsula within the state park offering spectacular water panoramas on 10 of the 18 holes skirting the lake. In 2014, Golfweek selected Arrowhead Pointe as the "Sixth Best Municipal Course in the Nation."

Brazell's Creek Golf Course at Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park near Reidsville--Playing to par 71 at 6,821 yards, this unique course has a 1,500-yard winding bridge that connects the two decidedly different nines. The first nine is dominated by tree-lined fairways while the other nine is links-style set on a windswept open landscape.

Georgia Veterans Memorial Golf Course at Lake Blackshear Resort near Cordele--Ranked by Golf Digest as a four-star course, this 6,869-yard Denis Griffiths design on the shores of Lake Blackshear has fairways that wind through mounds and stands of towering loblolly pines.

Lake Blackshear Resort

Highland Walk at Victoria Bryant State Park near Royston--Built on steep rolling hills with wide open, crowned Bermuda fairways, the 6,503-yard Highland Walk is fun and challenging. It has some great deals such as the "All You Can Play" for $50 per day and the twilight rate (after 2 p.m.) for $26 on weekdays and $28 on weekends.

The Creek Golf Course at Hard Labor Creek State Park near Social Circle--While only 6,437-yards long, The Creek offers lots of challenge with narrow tree-lined fairways and Champion Bermuda greens. The first hole, a 434-yard, par 4, is considered by many as one of the toughest opening holes in the state.

The Lakes Golf Course at Laura S. Walker State Park near Waycross--Situated near the Okefenokee Swamp, this 6,596-yard course has three lakes and bunkers and waste areas with native sand. Monday to Friday rates are $27 for 18 holes with cart at The Lakes and an amazing $18 twilight rate for those teeing up after 2 p.m.

The Lakes Golf Course at Laura S. Walker State Park

Meadow Links Golf Course at George T. Bagby State Park near Fort Gaines--Opened in 1998, this affordable 7,007-yard Willard Byrd design is seamlessly woven into beautiful rolling countryside. It has large greens with subtle undulations and fairways rimmed with Bahia rough.

Wallace Adams Golf Course at Little Ocmulgee State Park near Helena--This 6,625-yard layout immerses you in a wonderland of loblolly pines, willows and magnolias with Bermuda fairways and Tif  Eagle Bermuda greens.

For reservations or tee times, call 770-389-7419 or 800-434-0982. For more golf information, click to Georgia State Parks Golf. To access information on accommodations, recreation options, historic sites, special passes, traveling with pets and things to do at Georgia State Parks, click HERE.

Hire A Chef For Your Next Golf Getaway

Are you tired of the buddy or family golf trip where the culinary highlights of the week include boiled hot dogs, nachos grande and a pizza prepared especially for you by Papa John or Hungry Howey?

I've got a solution to all of your mundane meals, unhealthy food choices and, uh, indigestion issues.

Hire a chef.

Chef Linda Page

It's not as expensive as you think, and it alleviates the stress of deciding about and preparing meals.

Better still, you might even play well since you're not bloated with fast food and you feel more energetic, right?

"The golf groups I work with love the experience because they don’t really have to worry about meals, One group that I have cooked for over the last 6 years - I make them dinner when they are arriving and make box lunches for the next day," says chef Linda Page, known as "The Orlando Vacation Chef", whose been cooking for Orlando visitors for the past fifteen years.  

She continues, "They get the experience of eating in a beautiful home without having to cook. Another benefit is timing. I can be flexible with timing of meals and any special dietary needs of the group."

In golf meccas like Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Phoenix-Scottsdale, Pinehurst and Palm Springs, more golfers are eschewing traditional hotel rooms and opting for spacious private homes, villas and condos with complete kitchens.

Sadly, the kitchen ends up almost ignored as golfers preoccupied with making tee times and other engagements don't have time to prepare good meals. To often, the only time golfers use the kitchen is to microwave popcorn or use the oven to heat up fast food leftovers. 

I must confess, I fall into this category. Heck, I don't even bother to heat up the oven. Cold pizza, anyone?

Enter the personal chef, who can prepare anything from box lunches and simple three-course meals to gourmet cuisine with suggested wine pairings.

Personal chefs usually use their own pots, pans and utensils and typically prepare multiple personalized meals and place them in the refrigerator or freezer so you can enjoy them at your convenience.

Personal chefs typically charge a flat fee for their services based on location, number of guests and complexity of menu items. Groceries are an extra charge. Most provide grocery-shopping services along with meals. In addition, they can address individual needs, including special diets and food allergies.

On average, personal chefs charge between $25 and $50 per hour for their services (ingredients costs are separate).

If you really want to enhance your next golf getaway, hire a personal chef and bid a fond farewell to the pizza delivery guy.

To find a personal chef in the area you plan to visit, simply go to www.hireachef.com and enter the appropriate zip code.

Bon appetit!