St. Simons Island, Georgia
Recently transformed by Beau Welling, Ocean Forest is a trophy-caliber coastal course famed for its challenging wind, sandscapes, and ocean drama. It’s exclusive and beautifully maintained—a genuine special-occasion round that rewards shotmaking and strategy as much as raw power.
Pause on the first tee knowing George H.W. Bush played the very first round ever at Ocean Forest, alongside Rees Jones and Davis Love III.
Ocean Forest’s identity melds championship shot demands with the wild and windy character of coastal Georgia—a vision initially realized by Rees Jones and dramatically modernized by Beau Welling’s 2023 transformation. The new version ties the routing more closely to the dunes and ocean edge, creating not just tougher golf but a more visually expansive canvas. Sandscapes, marsh, and meticulously rebuilt greens define both the character and the challenge. The course’s rhythm—pines and marshlands giving way to ocean drama—makes every round feel like a journey capped by a breathtaking finale.
Jones’s original design flourished at elite level, but Welling’s 2023 vision restored natural edge and amplified shot variety, tying the entire course to sea and sand.
A short/mid-iron par 3 that baits with beauty and tests with breeze. The surface is perched just above marsh, bracketed by sand, and the wind is a constant puzzle.
Club wind precisely and favor the safe side—the smart play is middle of the green, regardless of pin.
Miss short/right and face a gnarly recovery through sand or marsh edge; long is rarely safe.
Elite, tournament-ready—even more pristine after 2023; greens and fairways are fast, firm, and true.
Unhurried, traditional walk with plenty of time to savor views—expect a premium, member-oriented pace.
Ultra-private, understated luxury—you’ll feel the exclusivity and tradition from the clubhouse to the closing green.
Traditional club attire: collared shirts, tucked in, and no denim or athletic shorts.
Spend extra range time hitting low, controlled shots to deal with the inevitable coastal gusts.
Expect to face deep sand and waste areas on crucial approach shots; a sharp short game pays off.
This is a course best enjoyed on foot—the routing is classic, and you’ll want to soak in every vista.
Seaside Georgia can mean sun, chill, and wind in a single round—be ready to adapt.
Ocean Forest Golf Club opens with Rees Jones design
First listed in Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Courses
Hosts prestigious Walker Cup (youngest host ever at time)
Featured in proximity to G8 Summit events
Major Beau Welling renovation completed and course reopens
Despite its 1995 birth, Ocean Forest burst onto the elite scene, quickly hosting the Walker Cup and enthralling critics with its blend of modern toughness and classic coastal beauty. The layout has always been about more than just length—strategy, wind, and marshland intrigue come into play on every hole.
Beau Welling’s 2023 renovation didn’t just update the surfaces—it recaptured the property’s rugged, coastal identity. By exposing dunes and integrating natural sandscapes, the course now feels both more playable and more visually dramatic, inviting a ground game along with the ever-present aerial test.
Legend has it that former president George H. W. Bush himself played the course’s first round, helping secure the 2001 Walker Cup. Ocean Forest’s reputation for championship-caliber play soared from there, cementing its status as one of Georgia’s—and the nation’s—most exclusive venues.
Every year, a who’s-who of top amateurs take on the Tiger-like tests of Ocean Forest in the Jones Cup Invitational. The tournament’s reputation—along with the club’s national profile—rises annually as the best young players tackle its strategic asks and wind-battered finishing stretch.
George H. W. Bush played the club's very first round.
Ocean Forest was the youngest course ever to host the Walker Cup (2001).
Over 37 acres of new grass and sandscape were created in the 2023 renovation.
Designed for walking—rare among southeast US resort clubs.
Its 17th and 18th are among Georgia's most photographed coastal finishing holes.
Another top-ranked coastal design, used in PGA Tour events
Tree-lined contrast, pairs perfectly with Seaside or Ocean Forest
Accessible, fun, and value-driven—best local muni option
Historic public resort play with beautiful marsh views
Island experience with more flexibility on access
Sea Island resort area or centrally on St. Simons Island for quick access to every course and off-course dining.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: If Ocean Forest Golf Club is your kind of course, The Kittansett Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Newport Country Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Ocean Forest Golf Club.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. The Course at Aberdeen a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Ocean Forest Golf Club.
Community Sentiment
See something inaccurate in this listing?