Sea Palms Resort Golf Course

Sea Palms Resort Golf Course fills a practical gap in the Sea Island market. The three Sea Island Golf Club courses require a resort stay that begins at $500 per night. Sea Palms, located on Frederica Road on St. Simons Island and open to the public, offers 18 holes of solid coastal Georgia golf for $100 to $160 depending on season and time of day. For visiting golfers who want to play the Golden Isles without the resort commitment, this is the most logical starting point.

George Cobb designed the course in 1967, and a renovation in 2019 brought the conditioning and infrastructure to a standard consistent with Troon management. The Bermuda grass fairways and greens are maintained to a level that reflects the Troon operating philosophy: clean, consistent, and professional without the manicured intensity of the Sea Island courses. The layout routes through coastal Georgia terrain at 6,608 yards and par 71, with enough variety in hole design to sustain interest across the full round.

The course does not pretend to compete with the Seaside or Plantation on architectural merit. Cobb's design is straightforward, with clear sight lines from most tees and greens that accept approach shots without demanding precise angles. The strategic elements are present but not punishing: bunkers protect the greens at expected positions, and the flat coastal terrain means that elevation changes are minimal. What the course offers is honest golf at a fair price on an island where the alternative is significantly more expensive.

The 130 slope, the lowest of any course in this guide, reflects the course's accessibility. Average golfers will find the layout approachable, and stronger players will find scoring opportunities throughout the round. The driving range and practice facilities are adequate for a warm-up, and the pro shop and food service handle the basics.

Know before you go

Tee times are available through GolfNow or by calling the pro shop directly at 912-434-5336. The course is open to the public year-round, with rates varying by season and time of day. A rental car is needed to reach Sea Palms from most accommodations on St. Simons Island.

What stands out

Sea Palms is the course that makes the Golden Isles accessible to golfers who are not staying at Sea Island Resort. The Troon management, the 2019 renovation, and the reasonable green fees create a combination that serves the mid-range market without apology. For golfers combining Sea Palms with The King and Prince Golf Club, the two public-access courses on St. Simons provide a legitimate three-day golf trip at a fraction of the Sea Island resort cost.