Southeast
Sea Island, Georgia
The finest golf resort in America — where Forbes Five-Star luxury meets championship links on Georgia's Golden Isles.
Overview
Sea Island is not a destination you visit casually. It is the pinnacle of American resort golf — a place where every detail is polished to a standard that most resorts aspire to but few achieve. The Forbes Five-Star Lodge at Sea Island sits alongside three championship courses, each with its own distinct character, on a private barrier island along Georgia's coast. This is where the RSM Classic is played on the PGA Tour, where world leaders have gathered for G8 summits, and where golf's most discerning travelers return year after year.
The resort operates three courses: Seaside, designed by Tom Fazio and currently undergoing a restoration ahead of its 25th anniversary; Plantation, a Rees Jones design with dramatic marsh and forest routing; and Retreat, a Davis Love III/Mark Love layout that is the most accessible and playable of the three. All three courses share the Golden Isles' unique landscape — salt marshes, maritime forest, ocean breezes, and the soft light that makes coastal Georgia feel timeless.
Sea Island is a gated community, and access to the courses and resort facilities requires a reservation at The Cloister, The Lodge, or The Inn. This exclusivity is part of the appeal — the pace is unhurried, the service is impeccable, and the experience feels private in a way that larger resorts cannot replicate. For a group that wants the absolute best of everything — courses, lodging, dining, and service — Sea Island is the answer. It comes at a premium price, and it is worth every dollar.
Courses · 4
Seaside Course
Resort (Exclusive) · Championship
$395-$425
Best for: The premier Sea Island experience. This is where the RSM Classic is played and the course the resort is known for. Walking with a forecaddie is the way to experience it.
Insider tip: The Seaside restoration in 2026 is honoring Tom Fazio's original design while modernizing conditioning. When it reopens in October 2026, expect it to be in the best shape of its life. If your trip falls during the closure window, Plantation and Retreat are more than worthy substitutes — do not skip Sea Island because Seaside is closed.
Plantation Course
Resort (Exclusive) · Championship
$260-$335
Best for: Groups who want a championship-caliber round in a stunning marsh and forest setting. The Rees Jones design rewards strategic play and offers a different character from Seaside.
Insider tip: Plantation is arguably the most scenic course on the property, routing through ancient live oaks and along tidal marshes. The forecaddies here are exceptional — many have been at Sea Island for decades and know every ridge and break. Let them guide your reads and trust their club recommendations, especially on the marsh holes where wind is deceptive.
Retreat Course
Resort · Moderate
$195-$245
Best for: Mixed-skill groups, warm-up rounds, and groups who want a quality golf experience at a lower intensity and price point. The most playable course at Sea Island.
Insider tip: The Retreat Course was redesigned by Davis Love III and Mark Love and is far better than its reputation suggests. It is often treated as the 'third course' at Sea Island, but the love and attention the Love brothers put into the design shows. Use it as your Day 1 round to calibrate before tackling Plantation and Seaside — and enjoy the lower price tag.
St. Simons Island Club (King and Prince)
Semi-Private · Moderate
$80-$150
Best for: An additional round option for groups wanting to supplement the Sea Island courses at a lower price point. Also good for groups who want a break from the resort's formality.
Insider tip: If your group is staying at Sea Island for 4-5 days and wants variety beyond the resort's three courses, the St. Simons courses offer a change of pace and a chance to see more of the Golden Isles. The quality gap to the Sea Island courses is real, but the price difference is substantial and the experience is enjoyable in its own right.
Lodging
Premium
The Lodge at Sea Island
$800-$1800Forbes Five-Star boutique hotel and the heart of the golf experience. English manor-house atmosphere with 40 rooms, dedicated butler service, and the Seaside and Plantation courses at your doorstep. The Oak Room restaurant and Colt & Alison bar are the social hubs. This is where serious golfers stay — intimate, refined, and perfectly located.
The Cloister at Sea Island
$700-$1500The grand resort on 50 lush acres with five miles of private beach. Forbes Five-Star with 265 rooms, full-service spa, pool complex, and multiple restaurants including the Georgian Room. More expansive than The Lodge and better for groups that include non-golfers who want beach and spa activities. Historic and elegant.
Mid-Range
The Inn at Sea Island
$250-$450Located on St. Simons Island, a 10-minute drive from the Sea Island Golf Performance Center. 85 rooms, heated pool, complimentary breakfast, and a Topgolf Swing Suite. Full access to Sea Island golf courses and resort amenities. This is the smart play for groups who want the Sea Island golf experience at a lower nightly rate.
Sea Island Cottages
$500-$1200Self-contained oceanfront cottages with full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and private settings. Ideal for groups of 4-8 who want space and privacy. Groceries delivered to your door. All resort privileges included. The per-person cost can be very competitive for a group of 6-8 splitting a cottage.
Budget
King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort (St. Simons Island)
$200-$400Historic oceanfront resort on St. Simons Island, about 15 minutes from Sea Island. Does not include Sea Island course access — you would need to book through Sea Island separately. A less expensive base for groups who want to play one or two Sea Island rounds but not stay on property for the full trip.
Hampton Inn & Suites Brunswick
$130-$200Reliable chain option in nearby Brunswick, 20 minutes from Sea Island. No resort amenities but significant savings on lodging. The practical choice for groups who want to allocate maximum budget to green fees. Complimentary breakfast included.
Dining
The Georgian Room
$$$$Forbes Five-Star American / Sushi Lounge
The crown jewel of Sea Island dining and one of the finest restaurant experiences in the Southeast. The main dining room offers seasonal American cuisine with impeccable presentation — foie gras torchon, Maine lobster, Georgia white shrimp. The adjacent Lounge serves Japanese cuisine and sushi in a more relaxed setting. Formal dress code (jackets suggested). Open Tuesday through Saturday. This is the special-occasion dinner for the trip.
Tavola at The Cloister
$$$-$$$$Italian
Refined Italian dining at The Cloister with handmade pasta, fresh seafood preparations, and an extensive Italian wine list. The atmosphere is elegant but slightly more relaxed than the Georgian Room. Excellent for a group dinner with variety — the family-style pasta option works beautifully for larger tables.
The Oak Room at The Lodge
$$$-$$$$American Grill / Steakhouse
The Lodge's signature restaurant with a club-like atmosphere — dark wood, leather chairs, and views of the golf course. Prime steaks, fresh seafood, and excellent bourbon selection. This is where golfers congregate after rounds. The post-round drink at the bar while recapping the day is a Sea Island tradition.
Colt & Alison
$$-$$$Gastropub / Cocktail Bar
Named after legendary golf course architects Harry Colt and Charles Alison, this is the social hub at The Lodge. Craft cocktails, elevated pub fare, and a golf-saturated atmosphere. Walk-in friendly for smaller groups. This is where your group will end most evenings — it is the 19th hole at Sea Island.
Southern Tide
$$-$$$Coastal Southern / Seafood
Oceanside dining at The Cloister with fresh seafood and Southern coastal cuisine. The outdoor terrace overlooking the ocean is the best casual dining setting on the property. Perfect for lunch between rounds or a relaxed dinner. The Lowcountry-inspired menu features local catches and seasonal ingredients.
Pro Tips
- 1
Book the Golf Performance Center experience — Sea Island's teaching facility is world-class, and a group lesson or club fitting session makes an excellent non-round activity that improves everyone's game for the remaining days.
- 2
If traveling during the Seaside closure (May through October 2026), focus your rounds on Plantation and Retreat, and use the cost savings on upgraded lodging at The Lodge. The experience is still exceptional.
- 3
Request the same forecaddie for your group across multiple rounds. The forecaddies at Sea Island are among the best in the country, and building a rapport over 2-3 rounds means better reads, better pace, and insider stories about the courses.
- 4
The Inn at Sea Island on St. Simons is the value play — you get full access to all Sea Island courses and amenities at a fraction of the Lodge or Cloister nightly rate. The 10-minute drive is a small trade-off for significant savings.
- 5
Book dinner at the Georgian Room for one special night and do not miss the Lounge sushi experience. The rest of your dinners at Oak Room and Colt & Alison will be excellent without the formality.
Sample Itineraries
weekend getaway
3 daysDay 1: Arrive at The Lodge, afternoon round at Retreat Course to ease in, drinks at Colt & Alison, dinner at the Oak Room. Day 2: Morning round at Plantation Course with forecaddie, lunch at the clubhouse, afternoon at the Golf Performance Center or spa, evening cocktails and dinner at the Georgian Room (the special night). Day 3: Morning round at Seaside Course (or Plantation replay if Seaside is closed), lunch and reluctant departure.
full trip
5 daysDay 1: Arrive, settle in at The Lodge, afternoon round at Retreat Course, casual dinner at Colt & Alison. Day 2: Morning round at Plantation Course with forecaddie, long lunch, afternoon at the shooting school or spa, dinner at Tavola. Day 3: Morning round at Seaside Course (the main event) with forecaddie, free afternoon — beach at The Cloister, fishing, or falconry experience, big group dinner at the Georgian Room. Day 4: Optional replay of Seaside or Plantation in the morning, afternoon excursion to St. Simons Island village and lighthouse, casual dinner at Southern Tide. Day 5: Morning Golf Performance Center session or final nine holes at Retreat, lunch and depart.
Ready to play Sea Island?
Tell Alfred about your group and he'll build the trip — courses, lodging, dining, logistics, everything.
Plan a Trip to Sea Island