There is a particular kind of afternoon that Savannah does better than almost anywhere else in the South — the kind where the air smells faintly of salt and cut grass, the Spanish moss hangs perfectly still, and time seems to slow down just enough for you to catch your breath. That afternoon, for me, almost always starts with a tee time at Bacon Park Golf Course.
Tucked away in the Midtown corridor off Skidaway Road, Bacon Park is one of Savannah’s most beloved public golf facilities, and if you haven’t played it, you are genuinely missing one of the city’s great understated pleasures. This isn’t a buttoned-up, members-only kind of place. It is a welcoming, well-maintained public course that draws everyone from serious low-handicappers to first-timers renting clubs at the pro shop and figuring it out as they go. That mix of people is exactly what makes it so enjoyable.
The course itself is a 27-hole layout — yes, 27 holes — spread across three distinct nine-hole loops: the Live Oak, the Magnolia, and the Cypress nines. Each combination plays slightly differently, and regulars will happily debate which 18-hole pairing is the best. My personal favorite is pairing Magnolia and Cypress for a round that winds through mature trees, over small bridges, and past ponds that reflect the afternoon light in a way that feels almost theatrical. You will stop mid-swing at some point just to take it in.
The greens are consistently well-kept, the fairways are generous enough to keep the round moving at a comfortable pace, and the cart paths are in good shape throughout the year. Green fees are remarkably reasonable by any standard — especially compared to resort-style courses nearby — which makes it easy to justify coming back two or three times during a longer stay in Savannah.
The clubhouse and pro shop have everything you need: rentals, snacks, cold drinks, and staff who are genuinely friendly rather than performatively so. There is a driving range on site as well, which is perfect for warming up before your round or just spending an hour shaking off the rust if you haven’t swung a club in a while.
What I love most about Bacon Park, though, is that it feels like the real Savannah. Not the curated, tourist-facing version of the city, but the neighborhood version — the one where locals actually spend their Saturdays. You will share the course with city residents who have been playing these fairways for decades, and there is a warmth to that experience that no amount of resort polish can replicate.
Whether you are a scratch golfer or someone who mostly plays miniature golf, Bacon Park deserves a spot on your Savannah itinerary. Pack sunscreen, bring a sense of humor about your short game, and plan to linger afterward. This city rewards the unhurried.
