A Golf Course in Dahlonega, GA

A well-positioned fairway bunker on the right side of the hole draws attention from the tee box. Long hitters can carry the bunker for a short iron into a large green. Par is a good score to start your round.

Players must put this ball in play from the tee—too far to the right can find the hazard that stretches the length of the right side of the hole, too far left can find a fairway bunker or tall native grass. A short wedge can lead to your first birdie. You must control your spin to get it close on the undulations.

The green is guarded by water and has severe slopes. This green must be respected for its speed. A good tee shot in the center of the green can still result in a three-putt bogey. A good par keeps the momentum going in your round on this hole.

A long tee ball will allow for a go for the green in two. The Chestatee River comes into play for the first time in the round, as it has to be carried to reach the green.

This hole is on an island in the Chestatee River. During the Gold Rush days, the river was dredged for gold and rerouted for around 300 yards.

The tee box sits in front of the Chestatee River, meaning you have to carry the water to the fairway. A large fairway bunker on the right side of the hole is in the landing area from the tee shot. Two good shots will lead to a short iron to an undulating green. Three putts can cause a bogey, due to the long rolling green.

The Chestatee River runs the length of the right side of this hole, while the largest bunker on the course comes into play on the left side beginning 200 yards from the green. The approach shot will hold the green with as much loft as possible, due to the green sloping away from the fairway. This is a large green and requires good distance control on the longer putts.

This hole is short, but must be played accurately, as Nicklaus positioned a fairway bunker for a tee shot missed to the right. A tee shot missed to the left can find the pond. A good tee ball will allow for a short wedge to the green. Two giant walnut trees guard the approach from the right side of the fairway.

The Chestatee River flows down the left side of this hole and demands a good tee shot to ensure a mid-iron to the green. The two fairway bunkers are a good aiming point, but be careful of hitting it too far into them. Again, you have to cross the Chestatee River to reach the green. Par is a good score to enter the back nine.

This is one of the most difficult driving holes. The Chestatee River runs along the entire left side of the hole and quickly ruins a birdie attempt. On the right, there’s a large pond, which makes for a demanding shot. The green is guarded by a bunker to the right of the green, so keep your approach shot to the left of the pin.

As one of the longest par threes on the course, this hole leaves little room for error, as the Chestatee River comes into play from the left. The left side of the green is guarded by a bunker that keeps the wayward shots out of the water.

This hole features the most severe dogleg. The Chestatee River runs along the left side of the fairway, but be aware, a large fairway bunker can grab any tee shot played too far to the right. The green is also guarded by a bunker that can make a part attempt challenging. The green is fairly flat, so most putts are relatively easy.

Welcome to one of the most exciting risk and reward holes in North Georgia. This green is guarded by the largest greenside bunker on the course. Be careful not to go too far to the right, as the Chestatee River runs along the right side of the green. The sloping nature of the green makes a par four attempt very challenging.

The 14th hole continues the run of possible birdies on the back nine. This is the straightest and easiest tee shot on the back nine, but be aware of the large bunkers on both the left and right side of the green. This putting surface looks very tame from the fairway, but the large, two-tiered slope makes it difficult to get to the pin.

The 15th hole plays much longer than the scorecard indicates. The fairway is guarded by a large bunker to the right and the Chestatee River to the left. Once you’ve conquered the tee shot, it’s time for another decision. Long hitters can reach the green in two strokes, but the water cuts across the lay-up zone, forcing a three-wood or short-iron shot short of the river. If you choose to lay up, you face a 185-yard approach to a narrow, sloping green.

Welcome to a classic par four. There are two large bunkers on each side of the fairway that force an accurate shot. The green is raised slightly, so make sure you add another club. The green is also guarded by bunkers both short and left.

The shortest of the par threes, this hole features a green that is slightly downhill, but protected by two bunkers—one to the left and one short right that are sure to catch any miscued shots. The putting surface has a large slope that dissects the green, making any long putts a tough task to conquer.

The 18th hole is one of the best finishing holes around. This long par four typically plays into the wind, requiring an accurate tee shot. Be aware of the large pond to the right that comes into play on the tee shot, as well as the second shot. This sloping green can be very difficult to read and any miscued chipshot could easily find the pond that lays right of the putting surface.