Mississippi boasts 144 golf courses—68 public, 19 municipal, and 57 private. Without a doubt, golf is becoming increasingly popular in Mississippi. The primary reason? Well, actually, there are three.
First, Mississippi’s weather is absolutely gorgeous, practically year-round. The state’s courses are often in immaculate condition, a direct result of the consistently great weather. And, finally, the Southern hospitality and charm lead golfers to return to courses again and again. When reflecting on the Magnolia State’s wide array of golfing options, here are seven courses that stand out.
Fallen Oak, Saucier
According to general manager Lydia Kim, Fallen Oak is “not just a golf course—it’s a destination.” After all, as soon as guests arrive, they’ll be enamored with the Tom Fazio design and extremely pleased with the staff members’ commitment to service. “Every detail, from the condition of the greens to the way our staff anticipates a guest’s needs, our focus is on delivering an unforgettable experience,” she says. “There’s a sense of pride here, both in the golf course and in the people who make it run. And I think our guests feel that.”
Simply put, every single detail of the course is designed to surprise and delight guests, from the course’s immaculate design to the staff’s hospitality to the property’s overall seclusion and serenity. In turn, Fallen Oak (which is exclusive to Beau Rivage Resort & Casino guests) doesn’t just provide golfers a round of golf. It ensures they’ll leave with lasting memories.
“Golfers often tell us they feel like they’ve discovered a hidden gem where they can truly unplug, play a course that challenges and rewards, and be treated like a VIP from start to finish,” Kim adds. “That emotional connection—to the place, the people, and the experience—is what makes it so treasured.”
As Fallen Oak staff members look ahead to the future, they’re focused on steadily improving the course while also ensuring its original design and charm are fully intact. Playing conditions will remain top-notch, while guests’ experiences will continue to be memorable. “We’re always evaluating opportunities, whether it’s updating certain features, enhancing the landscaping, or improving guest amenities,” Kim emphasizes. “Our long-term vision is to ensure Fallen Oak remains a standout destination.”
Grand Bear Golf Club, Saucier
A Jack Nicklaus Signature Design, Grand Bear Golf Club connects golfers to the natural environment that surrounds the course, leading to considerable privacy. This “privacy” is mainly associated with the six-mile-long driveway that guests must traverse before arriving at the public course. The drive is absolutely stunning, as guests can view the gorgeous De Soto National Forest. From there, they’ll be enamored by the course’s natural beauty.
“The course sets up aesthetically to the eye, and golfers can expect outstanding playing conditions year-round,” says Brad Kale, general manager. “With no two holes paralleling another, there are few distractions other than the abundance of wildlife and nature.” In all, Grand Bear has five sets of tees, ranging in length from 4,802 to 7,204 yards. The first nine holes wind around the Big and Little Biloxi Rivers, while the back nine holes traverse through cypress wetlands, along with gum trees, magnolias, and oaks “Three of the final four holes are bordered by the Big Biloxi River, lined by brilliant white-sand banks, offering a scenic finish to a memorable round,” Kale says.
One of these holes is considered Grand Bear’s signature: Hole 17. A par-4, it is nestled next to the Big Biloxi River. “It forces a player off the tee to decide to hit a hard fade to clear the hazard or bail out right, which dramatically increases the distance of the second shot in,” he adds.
Additionally, Grand Bear has become renowned as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary”—Mississippi’s first golf club to receive this designation. “We have also added two bee colonies to the property to support biodiversity and sustainability,” Kale concludes.
Kirkwood National Golf Club, Holly Springs
Due to Kirkwood National Golf Club’s topography—from its elevation changes to its rolling hills—no two holes are remotely alike, according to co-owner Greg Barkley. As a result, the course has a unique layout that golfers treasure. Good shots are rewarded, and golfers of all skill levels will be challenged, while also relishing their experiences.
“With our seven sets of tee boxes, any level of player can enjoy Kirkwood National,” Barkley says. Whether golfers are teeing off from the Family Tees or playing from the tips, Kirkwood National offers something for everyone. “It’s an excellent test for well-versed golfers to hone their skills and enjoy a quality, demanding golf course,” Barkley adds. “It will give even the lowest handicap players a true test.”
Three holes especially stand out: Holes 4, 5, and 15. According to Barkley, Hole 4 is one of the course’s most scenic holes, while Hole 5 is often described as one of the Southeast’s most difficult par-5s. Meanwhile, Hole 15 “is a takeoff on Amen Corner at Augusta National” and “probably the most photographed hole.”
To maintain its beauty, Kirkwood National will likely have Cole Saunders, managing partner of Sanders Golf, remove approximately 8 inches of the mix beneath its greens and place a new mix before the greens are sprigged. Every green will also be restored to its original size and shape. “Our goal is to always enhance the quality of our golf course and continually improve the overall experience,” Barkley says.
Old Waverly Club: Old Waverly and Mossy Oak Courses, West Point
There are very few private clubs that offer members two top-notch golf courses so close to one another. Old Waverly Club is one of these exceptions.
Not only are its two courses, Old Waverly and Mossy Oak, located near each other, but they also offer members completely different experiences. For example, Old Waverly is renowned for its classic 1920s feel, while Mossy Oak is known for its modern, minimalist design.
Old Waverly, a Bob Cupp and Jerry Pate design, is a parkland course with a “stately, timeless feel,” according to interim general manager Brent Krause. Featuring various water features and traditional bunkers, the course offers a fair, yet challenging layout for golfers of all skill levels. “It is definitely inspired by Southern golf heritage and provides a desirable championship venue,” Krause says.
Meanwhile, Mossy Oak, a Gil Hanse design, has recently been renovated by Jerry Pate Design to ensure it is more appealing to average golfers, while also maintaining its original championship design. Over the past few months, 115 bunkers have been renovated with new sand and bunker liners, while each green has also been recontoured. Furthermore, approximately 200 yards have been added to the course, making it now 7,412 yards long from the back tees.
“Nature leads the modern minimalist design through wetlands and plentiful amounts of sagebrush,” says Jerry Pate, chairman, Golf Clubs of Mississippi, which owns Old Waverly and Mossy Oak. “Although the driving corridors are plentiful and wide with strategic bunkering, it is imperative to find the short grass.”
With its mantra—“Two Amazing Courses, One Club”—in mind, Krause believes golfers’ experiences at Old Waverly Club are associated with four primary aspects: its attention to detail, outstanding product quality, world-class service, and genuine Southern charm and hospitality. “All of that adds up to experience—the emotional feel one gets when tremendous product and service are molded together,” Krause says.
Shell Landing Golf Club, Gautier
When guests first arrive at Shell Landing Golf Club, they’ll notice the distinctive bridge at its entrance, along with the series of bayous that are situated along the public course. “This natural setting imbues the course with an authentic sense of being on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, offering a distinct and memorable golfing experience,” says Kenny Hughes, CEO and managing partner.
Created for golfers of all skill levels, Shell Landing has fairways with generous landing areas. However, despite its relatively large fairways, the course is certainly not a walk in the park, so to speak. For instance, its large, fast greens have undulations that require golfers to hit their approach shots on the proper side of each pin.
Roughly 7,200 yards long from the back tees, the course has undergone considerable renovation since 2013, resulting in its pristine conditions. For example, 12 years ago, a variety of trees were removed, while some holes were underbrushed roughly five years later as well. Due to this underbrushing, the course’s turf receives more sunlight and airflow, resulting in improved playing conditions.
In preparation for the future, Shell Landing team members will likely enlarge the course’s tee boxes, repair cart paths, and rebuild the driving range tee, among other projects. “We have a motto: ‘Never not improving,’” Hughes stresses. “A course is a living entity and needs to be nurtured consistently, so we’ll continue to improve the property.”
The Preserve Golf Club, Vancleave
Another Jerry Pate design, this 18-hole, par-71, public course is surrounded by a 1,800-acre nature conservancy preserve. Therefore, it will never have any nearby developments. This is especially important for golfers who want to feel like they’re far away from everything, as they’ll simply just be golfing among nature, without any distractions whatsoever.
Yet, golfers are also near several amenities once they finish their rounds, as The Preserve Golf Club is affiliated with Biloxi’s Palace Casino Resort (Biloxi is just minutes away). Not to mention, before, during, and after their rounds, golfers are attended to by staff members who treat them like family. “The staff at The Preserve go above and beyond golfers’ expectations of Southern hospitality,” says general manager Stephen Miles.
While golfing, guests will appreciate the course’s numerous tee boxes, too, ranging in length from 4,843 to 6,774 yards. Everyone will find a yardage they’re comfortable with, all while enjoying a variety of holes, including ones that are short and long, as well as ones that veer left and right. “To score well, golfers’ short games will need to be in top form,” says Chris Champagne, PGA golf professional. “That said, we do have some long holes as well—par 4s that are 435 to 462 yards long.”
While looking ahead, the club is preparing to further enhance golfers’ experiences by adding a new patio that will feature a tournament scoreboard, additional outdoor dining, a fire pit, and outdoor TV viewing. At The Preserve, we choose to always improve,” Miles adds.
