What are the worst golf courses in each state? (Georgia)

Here’s a look at what many golfers consider to be the worst golf courses in Georgia – not necessarily because of their design or landscape, but because of their maintenance, playability, value, or just how disappointing the experience is. As always with reviews, take everything with a grain of sand (in the bunkers perhaps).

Georgia’s Golf Disappointments: The Three Courses You Might Want to Skip

1. Lake Spivey Golf Club (Jonesboro, Georgia)

“Totally a mess… every green was destroyed… the tee boxes weren’t even marked half the time.” That’s according to a recent review after paying ~$60. (Golf Pass)

What went wrong:

Greens and tee boxes in disrepair. Golfer after golfer reports greens with holes, overgrown weeds, crabgrass and muddy patches. Tee boxes aren’t just bare; some are not even properly marked. (Golf pass)

Value versus cost mismatch. Players feel that what they pay far exceeds the quality delivered. For $60 or more is what is expected in terms of service, turf and overall condition, which many say Lake Spivey no longer meets. (Golf pass)

Lost potential. The layout isn’t inherently bad; it’s just that deferred maintenance has taken over. What once could have been a fun round feels more like a chore.

Verdict: Unless you hear that they’ve done a major restoration (green renovations, better maintenance of fairways, tee boxes, etc.), this one is hard to recommend to anyone, except perhaps those curious about “how bad it can get.”

2. Candler Park Golf Course (Atlanta, GA)

“This course shouldn’t even be happening. It’s literally the worst course I’ve ever seen.” Strong words from a frequent player. (Golf pass)

What is disturbing:

Neglected maintenance. Reviews describe dirt tee boxes, fairways that are “completely dirty,” greens overrun with weeds and patches of dirt. Slanted, bare or improperly dressed tee boxes, causing surfaces to be irregular. (Golf pass)

Decline over time. Several visitors say that the situation has deteriorated sharply compared to even a year or two ago. What could have had character now seems worn, neglected and past its prime. (Golf pass)

Bad playing experience. Because many surfaces are uneven and the greens are bumpy or inconsistent, the typical golfer experiences frustration on simple putts or approach shots. That’s a red flag.

Verdict: If you’re in Atlanta and looking for good golf, skip this unless you want to play it for nostalgia or extremely low cost – but be prepared to battle the condition of the course as much as the holes themselves.

3. Bacon Park Golf Course (Savannah, GA)

“No kidding, this course shouldn’t even be considered a golf course… the greens are the worst I’ve ever seen in my 30 years of playing.” That of a holiday golfer. (Tripadvisor)

What’s especially bad:

Greens are virtually unplayable. Bald spots, bumps, inconsistent roll. Many greens are apparently so bad that putts are unpredictable; there is more luck involved than skill. (Tripadvisor)

Carts paths and fairways in disrepair. Potholes, large damaged areas, fairways bordering on overuse or undermaintenance. Paths for carts are specially panned – making not only the game play, but also moving around the track tedious and frustrating. (Tripadvisor)

Value shock. The reviewer notes that he paid ~$47 and felt the experience wasn’t worth even a much lower fee. For many players, that is where the disappointment hits the hardest: you naturally expect a minimum basic condition for what you pay. (Tripadvisor)

Verdict: Unless management takes action and does significant work on landscaping, irrigation and cart paths, this will remain on the ‘avoid if possible’ list.

Final thoughts

All three of these courses suffer primarily from maintenance issues – overgrown weeds, poor greens, poor tee boxes – that have more to do with design than anything. A well-designed course can still shine, even if it is modest; a poorly maintained example quickly becomes frustrating.

If you are traveling in Georgia and want to play, some tips:

– Check recent reviews (within the last few months), especially for greens and fairway conditions.

– Call ahead and ask about recent aeration, overseeding and whether certain tees/holes are out of use.

– Or better yet, find public course forums or local golf groups; these often have current inside information.