Southern Hills Golf Club

$36 (cart included), played on Saturday, June 2014 at 2pm

The last time I played this course it had just opened. Didn't think much of it. Wow, is it nicer now. The greens are the fastest I have played in middle Georgia. They are like Atlanta greens. The fairways, the traps, and the greens were excellent. All of it well maintained. So were the practice areas. The practice green was the same speed as the greens on the course. So many times you find that isn't true. Very enjoyable day of golf. Our friend from India, found it so pleasing to look at he took pictures of about 6 different holes. There is very little rough, but a lot of pine straw under the trees. You are not going to lose a lot of balls playing this course. There are not hidden hazards to catch you by surprise. Nice fair course to play.I know I'll be playing it again. Also a year's membership is only $800.00. Not bad if you live in the area.

$31 (cart included), played on Monday, April 2009 at 10am

It is a toss up between Southernhills and Houston Lake course as to which is the best course in middle GA.

$46 (cart included), played on Wednesday, December 2008 at 10am

Southern Hills is probably the best course within a 40-50 mile radius of Hawkinsville, Georgia. This includes all of Houston County GA, home to the towns of Warner Robins and Perry.

The course is on par with some of the famous Robert Trent Jones Trail golf courses in Alabama which is high praise. The Trail courses are vacation destination worthy, I did not mark Southern Hills as vacation worthy because of its rural location that lacks hotel and other vacation amenities in close proximity. On the other hand if you are visiting within 50 miles, and you enjoy nice golf, then by all means make a point to play Southern Hills.

Today was a bright, clear, somewhat crisp 50+ degree day. We played a round in less than 4 hours. Pace of play was great. We were only held up by our own slow play and stopping at the very nice club house for snacks after 9 holes before we pressed on.

The course is very well maintained. Although the grass is dormant this time of year, the grounds were still groomed with definable fairways and roughs. I have seen this course in other seasons and it is always in great condition. The greens were lightning fast. They had been colored to give them a green look. Did I mention, lightning fast? Wow! Talked with some club members about the speed of the greens and they said yes. We have the best greens around and they are always fast. They also had a grin on their face and a twinkle in their eye, that led me to believe that they may have taken a dollar or two in a friendly game with some unsuspecting golfer, who was not previously acquainted with their greens. Local experience with those greens has to be good for 10 strokes per round. Did I mention that they were very fast?

All in all, a terrific course with ambiance, very nice layout, good variety of challenges, elevation changes, ponds, and streams. The course sits well on the land without requiring false islands and other "tricks" to make it an attractive and challenging course.

The elevation changes along with some good distances between a number of holes would make this course a challenge to walk. I am pretty hardy, and really like to walk when playing golf. Saying that, I am glad I played Southern Hills with a cart.

Bottom line, yes, I recommend.

$41 (cart included), played on Saturday, May 2008 at noon

They allowed five player groups. Play way too slow. Marshall did not come around when we played.