Dancing Rabbit’s Azaleas Course brings Southern woodland grandeur and championship polish to the heart of Mississippi resort country. With pristine Bermuda conditioning and shot-shaping demands through the pines, this is a regional magnet that rewards golfers with tournament-caliber challenge and a touch of Golden Age inspiration.
Dancing Rabbit’s Azaleas Course is Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate’s take on the modern Southern championship layout, flowing through pines, hardwoods, and blooming azaleas on rolling Mississippi terrain. Tee shots are frequently framed by dense woodland corridors, requiring both accuracy and distance, while approaches are challenged by fast, well-guarded TifEagle greens. The routing weaves elevation shifts, demanding shot-shaping and club selection, forcing the player to manage risk and reward. Renovations in 2016 reinforced quality with redesigned bunkers and upgraded surfaces, bringing Augusta inspiration into accessible, regionally elite golf.
Fazio and Pate blend the best of classic tournament design and resort drama, using Southern flora and natural elevation to evoke memorable, major-championship feel.
A long, early par 5 that drifts through pine corridors, demanding position from the tee and a disciplined lay-up if going for the green isn't feasible. Angled bunkering and elevation changes amplify the approach strategy.
Aim for a right-center fairway to open the angle; lay up short of the cross-bunker unless confident in reaching in two.
Wayward drives flirt with tree lines or sand, and long approaches risk a tricky up-and-down from thick rough or deep traps.
Consistently well-groomed Bermuda tees, fairways and TifEagle greens—expect championship-caliber playing conditions, especially April–October.
Modest pace on most days, but busier on weekends or during resort events—expect 4:15–4:45 depending on resort traffic.
Destination golf energy—serious but welcoming, with friendly service, relaxed resort guests, and a championship feel.
Standard resort attire: collared shirts, tailored shorts/pants, soft spikes.
Par 3s and long par 4s put a premium on solid ball-striking and trajectory control.
Steep, deep traps mean practiced sand saves are essential to scoring.
Summer rounds are hot and humid; plan for shade and water along the way.
If time allows, add the Oaks for a full Dancing Rabbit experience—the layouts contrast beautifully.
Azaleas Course opens at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club
Comprehensive renovation by Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate
Hosts PGA University Championship
Hosts Mississippi Open
Regional golfers and media have dubbed the Azaleas 'the Augusta you can play,' thanks to its lush azalea surrounds, tree-lined fairways, and Major vibes. It’s a rare Southern course chasing a championship mystique with full public access.
In 2016, Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate returned to overhaul greens, bunkers, and playing surfaces, giving the Azaleas a fresh, tournament-ready feel that rivals modern championship venues and revitalized its standing among Mississippi’s elite.
Even with a strong sister course next door, the Azaleas has always claimed the spotlight at Dancing Rabbit, building an identity as the state’s most celebrated and awarded public track.
Regulars rave about the Southern hospitality on display, from full-service carts to friendly starter crews. Add in the casino-resort experience and this becomes more than a round — it’s a destination golf event.
The Azaleas has been called the most 'Augusta-like' public course in the South.
A dense array of azaleas and dogwoods makes the course pop in spring bloom season.
The Azaleas once ranked #70 in America on Golf Digest’s Top 100 Public list.
Fazio’s renovation introduced modern green speeds on TifEagle Bermuda.
Golfers can walk to the casino and entertainment district right after their round.
Companion championship course on-site, offering a different challenge and scenery.
Highly regarded public course and frequent regional trip pairing, just a short drive.
Mississippi’s elite modern championship venue—an ambitious add-on for serious golf travelers.
Stay at the Pearl River Resort or nearby hotels in Philadelphia, MS, for easy walking distance to both Dancing Rabbit courses and casino-entertainment.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Pronghorn Club at Juniper Preserve (Nicklaus Course) offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Dancing Rabbit Golf Club – Azaleas Course.
Why it matches: If Dancing Rabbit Golf Club – Azaleas Course is your kind of course, The Broadmoor Golf Club East Course is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Why it matches: If Dancing Rabbit Golf Club – Azaleas Course is your kind of course, Clear Creek Tahoe is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
See something inaccurate in this listing?