Bacon Park delivers a budget-friendly taste of Donald Ross architecture in Savannah’s only municipal course. It’s not a bucket-list pilgrimage, but it’s a fantastic value for locals and history-loving visitors, with classic Ross strategy and a laid-back community vibe.
Bacon Park’s architecture is rooted in Donald Ross’s 1920s vision: small, devilish greens, wide-enough fairways, and a routing that rewards placement and short game savvy over brute force. Richard Mandell’s 2014–15 restoration unearthed the original Ross skeleton, revived the signature slopes and bunkering, and recaptured the ground-game options that make a muni fun for all. Though the land is mostly flat, Ross’s subtleties mean angles into greens and deceptive contours do the heavy lifting, making every round a study in approach strategy—not just bluster.
Ross’s original design was painstakingly revived by Mandell using old field sketches and aerials, emphasizing respect for Golden Age intent and maximizing everyday fun.
This short par 3 calls for a crisp wedge or short iron to a compact, tilted Ross green that demands precise distance and spin control. The low-profile bunkering and cant of the surface mean even small misses become serious recovery tests.
Play for the center and favor the safe side if pins are cut tight; avoid leaving yourself above the hole.
Missing short or left brings awkward chips; winds can swirl, and aggressive mistakes quickly lead to tough up-and-downs.
Improved since restoration, but expect variable greens and occasional rough spots typical of a muni.
Laid-back public course rhythm; not a rushed round—enjoy the community feel.
Friendly, inclusive, with a deep sense of Savannah history and neighborhood pride.
Casual municipal golf attire—no jacket required.
Several short par 4s and par 3s demand control with your scoring clubs.
Ross surrounds punish poor short game choices—expect run-offs and quick chip shots.
Firmness and speed can vary; adapt your touch before teeing off.
Embrace the easy walk, but bring water and snacks for summer humidity.
Donald Ross lays out original multi-course plan for Savannah
Bacon Park Golf Course opens for play
Portion of the course closes
Major restoration project to return Ross’s design begins
18-hole restored Ross layout reopens
Wins Golf Inc. Renovation of the Year award for public courses
Ross’s original sketches and aerials guided the restoration, reestablishing the classic green sites and routing. The team pieced together lost holes from archival maps, bringing an authentic Golden Age strategy back to Savannah.
When Bacon Park needed a revival, locals rallied support, ensuring the city’s only public muni stayed alive. Today, the club buzzes with leagues, junior play, and generations of Savannah families.
The 2014–2015 restoration didn’t just mimic Ross—it rebuilt surfaces, filled ponds, and created better drainage for today’s player while reviving those infamous small, canted greens.
Bacon Park isn’t just a time capsule; it’s a refreshingly affordable gateway to classic architecture, with a municipal welcome and no stuffy dress code.
Ross’s 1925 plan originally called for four courses at Bacon Park—only two were built.
The club's 2014–15 restoration used old aerial photos and field sketches to guide reconstruction.
Bacon Park is the oldest public golf course still in operation in Savannah.
You can play all 27 holes in a day, mixing the Ross and Legends layouts.
The course’s homey pro shop and starter’s area evoke a classic muni feel with Southern character.
The strongest public/resort layout nearby—beautifully maintained and a fun contrast to Bacon Park’s muni charm.
Affordable Savannah option for a second, casual round—offers a good test and value.
Accessible, conveniently located near the Savannah airport for getaway or arrival rounds.
Sporty Rees Jones design with solid challenge and variety—good add-on for visitors.
Downtown or Midtown Savannah for best access to golf, restaurants, and city energy.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: Avon Fields Golf Course is a natural next stop after Bacon Park Golf Course: it has a similarly satisfying rhythm on foot.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Lakeside Park Club has a similarly satisfying rhythm on foot, making it a compelling counterpart to Bacon Park Golf Course.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Hyde Park Golf Club has a similarly satisfying rhythm on foot, making it a compelling counterpart to Bacon Park Golf Course.
Community Sentiment
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