3 Top Public Golf Courses Near Savannah's Historic District
Lifestyle / Local Guides Liza DiMarco July 17, 2026
Lifestyle / Local Guides Liza DiMarco July 17, 2026
The top public golf courses near Savannah's Historic District are The Club at Savannah Harbor, a championship riverside course with skyline views just across the Talmadge Bridge; Bacon Park Golf Course, a Donald Ross design from 1926 and the city's only municipal course, about 10 minutes from downtown; and Crosswinds Golf Club, a parkland-style course near the airport with a unique five-par-3, five-par-5 layout. Each offers a different experience, from resort-level luxury to affordable historic golf.
By Liza DiMarco | July 15, 2026
Savannah's Historic District draws people in for the architecture, the squares, and the walkability — but for a lot of buyers and visitors, what happens after they've toured the Cathedral and had lunch on River Street is just as important. If golf is part of that picture, you're in luck. Savannah has a genuinely good mix of public courses within a short drive of downtown, ranging from a championship resort course with skyline views to a budget-friendly historic gem. Here's an honest look at the three worth knowing about.
If proximity and views matter most, this is the one. The Club at Savannah Harbor sits directly across the Savannah River on Hutchinson Island, part of the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa — about 2 miles from the Historic District via the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, roughly a 5 to 10 minute drive — meaning you can play a round with the Historic District skyline in the background and be back downtown in minutes.
The course itself is a serious one. Designed by Sam Snead and Bob Cupp and opened in 1999, it plays 7,288 yards from the back tees at a par 72, with a course rating around 74.6–74.8 and a slope in the 134–138 range — numbers that put it firmly in championship territory. The design leans on a "risk versus reward" philosophy: well-placed shots near hazards get rewarded with better angles into the green, while the putting surfaces use gentle, old-school transitions rather than dramatic modern contouring.
It's picked up real recognition over the years, too — a four-star Golf Digest rating for "Highly Recommended Places to Play," a spot among Conde Nast Traveler's Top 100 Courses in America, and recognition from Golfweek as one of the best courses you can play in Georgia. It's also hosted PGA TOUR Champions events, including the Liberty Mutual Insurance Legends of Golf Championship.
Green fees run roughly $75–175 depending on the day and season, with the lowest rates typically midweek and in twilight hours. There's an on-site driving range, a full clubhouse, and dining with river views — this is as much a destination as it is a round of golf.
For golfers who want history and value over resort polish, Bacon Park is the local favorite. Designed by Donald Ross — the same architect behind Pinehurst No. 2 — in 1926, it's the City of Savannah's only municipal golf course, owned by the city and managed by O.C. Welch Golf Properties. Since 2014, the course has been under a careful, ongoing restoration aimed at bringing it back to Ross's original design intent.
It's a genuinely accessible course: 27 holes total, split between the 18-hole Ross-designed championship course (6,409 yards) and a separate 9-hole Legends par-3 course that's great for a quick practice round or teaching a beginner. It's about 7 miles from the Historic District, roughly a 10-minute drive, open seven days a week from early morning to evening, and green fees are historically some of the most affordable in the region.
Worth being upfront about: reviews on Bacon Park are genuinely mixed. Some golfers love it precisely for what it is — an affordable, historic, no-frills round with real architectural pedigree — while others have found conditions inconsistent, particularly before the restoration work matured. If your priority is manicured perfection, this may not be it. If you value history, value, and playing a Donald Ross design without a resort price tag, it's hard to beat.
Crosswinds sits a bit further out, about 12 miles from the Historic District (roughly 15 to 20 minutes) near the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, but it's consistently mentioned among Savannah's best public options for a reason. Designed by Mike Kistler and opened in 2000, the par-72 course plays around 6,736–6,748 yards from the tips, with an unusual layout of five par-3s and five par-5s that keeps rounds varied and interesting.
The course is an open, parkland-style design with no homes lining the fairways, so there's no risk of narrowing sightlines or curious onlookers — just rolling, well-bunkered Bermuda fairways, undulating Tifeagle greens, and water features throughout. One quirk regular players mention: given the proximity to the airport, low-flying planes are a regular part of the scenery, which some find distracting and others find genuinely fun.
Beyond the 18-hole championship layout, Crosswinds also has a separate, lit 9-hole par-3 course — a real short-game track, not a pitch-and-putt — that stays open into the evening for three seasons of the year. There's an on-site restaurant, Grille 19, and the property regularly hosts weddings and corporate events in addition to golf. Reviews are generally positive on layout and value, with occasional notes about green conditions varying by season — worth checking recent conditions before a big trip.
If you're weighing all three and only have time for one round, it comes down to what you're actually looking for:
For visitors staying in the Historic District, all three are easily reachable as a day trip. For anyone actually relocating to Savannah, proximity to a course like these is often a real factor in choosing a neighborhood — and it's worth thinking about early in a home search, not after closing.
If a public tee time isn't quite what you're after, Savannah also has a strong private club scene, from an 18th-century founding to a six-course community on Skidaway Island. Our guide to Savannah's best private golf clubs breaks down membership options, distances from downtown, and what it actually takes to join.
What is the closest public golf course to Savannah's Historic District?
The Club at Savannah Harbor is the closest, sitting directly across the Savannah River on Hutchinson Island — just minutes from downtown via the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, with direct views of the Historic District skyline from the course.
Is Bacon Park Golf Course a good option for beginners?
Yes. In addition to the 18-hole Donald Ross championship course, Bacon Park has a separate 9-hole Legends par-3 course that's well-suited to beginners or anyone working on their short game, and green fees are among the most affordable in the Savannah area.
How far is Crosswinds Golf Club from downtown Savannah?
Crosswinds is roughly 15–20 minutes from the Historic District, located near the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. It's a bit further than the other two options but is frequently ranked among Savannah's best public courses for its unique layout.
Are these courses open to the public, or do you need a membership?
All three are public or semi-private courses that welcome walk-in and online tee-time bookings — you don't need a membership to play any of them, though Crosswinds also offers annual membership plans for regular players.
Does golf course proximity affect home values in Savannah?
It can, particularly for buyers specifically prioritizing a golf lifestyle. Homes near well-regarded courses or golf communities sometimes carry a premium, though the effect varies significantly by neighborhood and isn't something to assume without a proper comparative market analysis for the specific area.
Figuring out which neighborhood puts you closest to your favorite course — or close enough to try all three? That's exactly the kind of Savannah lifestyle question I help buyers work through every day.
Liza DiMarco | Compass Savannah
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