Best for: The centerpiece round of any Reynolds trip. Nicklaus at his best — strategic, scenic, and fair. Strong players will love the risk-reward lake holes; mid-handicappers have bailout options on every hole.

Insider tip: Great Waters was renovated in 2019 by Nicklaus himself and the improvements are significant — the greens are larger and more contoured, and the bunker work is sharper. The back nine along the lake is one of the best nine-hole stretches in Georgia. Play it in the afternoon when the sun drops behind the pines and the lake turns gold.

Best for: Groups wanting a Rees Jones championship test with excellent conditioning. The most 'traditional' resort course at Reynolds — fairway bunkers, elevated greens, strategic routing.

Insider tip: The Oconee course wraps around the Ritz-Carlton property, which means it's the most convenient course if you're staying at the hotel — you can walk from breakfast to the first tee. The practice facility at The Oconee is the best on property. Arrive early and use it.

Best for: Tom Fazio fans and groups who want a course that rewards shot-shaping. The National has the most dramatic elevation changes at Reynolds.

Insider tip: The National was originally 27 holes (Cove, Bluff, and Ridge nines) and was consolidated into an 18-hole championship layout. The course has more elevation change than any other at Reynolds and the Fazio bunkering is immaculate. It's the least-played of the Reynolds courses by visitors, which means pace of play is excellent — often under 4 hours.

Best for: Mixed-skill groups. The most forgiving course at Reynolds with wide fairways and receptive greens. Good warm-up round for day one.

Insider tip: The Landing's ESSE restaurant, located in the clubhouse, is one of the best dining options at Reynolds that most visitors miss because they default to the Ritz-Carlton restaurants. The course itself is the 'easiest' at Reynolds — which means low-handicappers find it boring but higher handicappers love it. Know your group.

Best for: Groups who want a course that feels different from the lake-centric layouts. The Preserve winds through mature hardwood forest with more of a mountain feel.

Insider tip: The Preserve is the most 'away-from-it-all' feeling course at Reynolds. The routing through the hardwood forest is beautiful, especially in October when the fall color peaks. It's also the course where you're most likely to see wildlife — deer, turkey, and the occasional fox. A hidden gem in the Reynolds portfolio.

Best for: Low-handicappers who want the most challenging design at Reynolds. Jim Engh's creative routing is unlike anything else on property.

Insider tip: Creek Club is the newest and most modern design at Reynolds, and Jim Engh's dramatic style (huge bunkers, bold green complexes, creative angles) is polarizing. Some golfers love the creativity; others find it excessive. If your group is adventurous and plays to single digits, Creek Club should be on the itinerary. If the group is more traditional, stick to Great Waters and The Oconee.