30-06-2025
The oldest golf club in Georgia is also the oldest in the U.S., dating back to the 1700s
Golf traces its roots to Scotland in the 1500s, with the modern 18-hole game taking shape in the early 1700s.
It would make sense, then, that one of America's oldest cities would have one of America's oldest golf clubs, founded in the late 1700s.
The Savannah Golf Club claims to have records that make it the oldest club in America. While it hasn't been in continuous existence, the club boasts that it was the first golf club in the new country.
What is the oldest golf club in Georgia?
Savannah Golf Club claims to have newspaper clippings in its archives that date the club's founding to be 1794.
Using the 1796 issue of the Georgia Gazette, an invitation to the Call to Annual meeting at the club read elect offers and celebrate the anniversary, which historians concluded was the second anniversary of the club, thus dating the club to two years prior.
"On record The Savannah Golf Club is the Oldest Golf Club in America and is believed to be the first American city where the game of golf was played," the club's website history reads.
The club is only 60 years younger than the city of Savannah, which was established in 1733.
What is the Savannah Golf Club?
The course was officially incorporated in Chatham County in 1899 and still exists as a private club. It hosts events such as state amateurs championships and GHSA events.
The course took shape under famed golf course architect Donald Ross before undergoing a restoration in 2018 by another famous course architect, Gil Hanse, who performed the restoration of Oakmont, host of the 2025 U.S. Open.
Located in eastern Savannah, the Savannah Golf Club can be found at 1661 E President Street.
You must be a member, with other perks being pickle ball, tennis, swimming, dining and events.
Ryne Dennis is the Deep South Connect Team Editor for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X @RyneDennis and email at rdennis@
