Planning a Golf Trip to Sea Island: Group Guide
Three courses on Georgia's Golden Isles, including the two that host the PGA Tour's RSM Classic. Golf here comes with a stay at the resort.
The courses to play
- Seaside Course: Links-style course along the marsh and St. Simons Sound. The main RSM Classic course.
- Plantation Course: Sea Island's original course, opened as a nine in 1928. The second RSM Classic course.
- Retreat Course: Longer and wider than the other two, and the most forgiving of the three.
Getting there
| Airport | Code | Drive to the golf |
|---|---|---|
| Brunswick | BQK | about 25 min |
| Jacksonville | JAX | about 1 hr 15 min |
| Savannah | SAV | about 1 hr 30 min |
Check live flights to BQK on Google Flights →
Drive from the airport, by time of day
Traffic changes the math on arrival day. See typical and heavy-traffic drive times for the times groups actually travel.
Nonstop from 27 major U.S. cities: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham, San Diego, St. Louis, Washington, D.C., Richmond. Group flying from different cities? →
When to go
March to May and October to December. November is busy: the RSM Classic closes Seaside and Plantation for much of the month, and courses take turns closing for overseeding. Check the course schedule before you pick dates.
Group tip
Before you book
- Lock the headcount in a multiple of four.
- Set the per-person budget with the cost calculator.
- Call the resort or golf desk directly and ask for group tee-time blocks, stay-and-play packages and the cancellation and rain policy.
- Collect deposits the week you book. Use the deposit tracker.
- Pick your format and build pairings.
Official resources
Heads-up before you book
- Seaside reopened October 19, 2026 after a restoration and is cart path only through November 23, 2026. source
- 2026 RSM Classic: Seaside and Plantation close November 10–12 and 16–22. Retreat closed November 2–9 for overseeding, and Plantation is cart path only November 1–23. source
- Late 2026: Plantation closes November 23–26 and November 30–December 2 for overseeding, and member events close Seaside around November 29–December 2. The 2027 RSM Classic closes Seaside and Plantation for much of November 8–21, 2027. source
- Road work ahead: Georgia DOT plans to replace the Sea Island Road bridge over Dunbar Creek, with about 24 months of construction while traffic keeps moving on the old bridge. Allow a few extra minutes on arrival day. source
Checked November 5, 2026. Schedules change, so confirm with the resort.
Fun facts about Sea Island
- From May 1 to October 31, white lights are banned on the beach at night. You'll see red or amber lights instead. Hatchling sea turtles head for the brightest horizon, and red light doesn't pull them away from the ocean. source
- Loggerhead sea turtles nest on Sea Island from mid-May to early October. The 2026 season had 114 nests and more than 7,000 hatchlings. source
- The temperature of the sand decides whether a hatchling is male or female: warmer sand produces females, cooler sand produces males. source
- Guests can join a sea turtle Dawn Patrol in season to look for nests and hatchling tracks. Worth an early alarm on a non-golf morning. source
- Bobby Jones played Seaside on August 1, 1930, between the third and fourth wins of his Grand Slam, and sent word that it was “one of the very best nine holes” he had seen. source
- The first clubhouse was a converted plantation corn barn, built in 1825. The clubhouse role moved to The Lodge when it opened in 2001. source
- Sea Island residents have won majors: Zach Johnson (2007 Masters, 2015 Open), Lucas Glover (2009 U.S. Open), and Matt Kuchar won the 2012 Players. During RSM week you may see tour pros on the range. source
- The Plantation Course opened as a nine in 1928, before The Cloister hotel was finished. Early guests stayed on a floating hotel, the Amphitrite. source
Facts last checked November 5, 2026. How we check facts. Resort or tourism board? Send us updates for this guide.
Course details and access rules change. Confirm current tee-time policies and rates directly with each course before you book.
FAQ
When is the best time for a Sea Island golf trip?
March to May and October to December. November is busy: the RSM Classic closes Seaside and Plantation for much of the month, and courses take turns closing for overseeding. Check the course schedule before you pick dates. Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec.
What airport do you fly into for Sea Island?
Brunswick (BQK), about 25 min; Jacksonville (JAX), about 1 hr 15 min; Savannah (SAV), about 1 hr 30 min.
What are the best courses at Sea Island?
Seaside Course, Plantation Course, Retreat Course.
Is Sea Island good for a group golf trip?
Best for: Premium small groups who want tour-level golf, caddies and a full-service resort. It works for groups of 4–12, 12–24 golfers.
How far ahead should we book Sea Island?
For 8 or more golfers in peak season, plan 6–12 months out. Call the golf desk and ask about group tee-time blocks and package rates before you book rooms.
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