Legacy on Lanier (Public/Resort)
7000 Holiday Rd., Lake Lanier Islands; 770-318-7861; www.lakelanierislandsgolf.com
STAFF: Brian Conley is the PGA Director of Golf; Ryan Keylon is the Superintendent
PAR/YARDAGE: Legacy on Lanier is a par 72 with four sets of tees: Black (6,580 yards); Blue (6,193); White (5,706) and Red (4,852).
COURSE RATING/SLOPE: 72.7/141 (Black); 71.0/137 (Blue); 68.8/130 (White); 69.7/128 (Red).
ABOUT THE COURSE: Legacy on Lanier is the third name the course has had in the past two decades and it underwent a recent renovation which included the construction of a completely new hole and the shelving of another. Now the only active course on Lake Lanier Islands (PineIsle is closed awaiting future renovation), Legacy on Lanier retains its basic lakeside nature, with water a serious factor on 11 holes and all but a handful playing along or in proximity to the lake. The renovations added about 200 yards to the back tees and 150 to the next set, and many of the holes also feature re-worked bunker patterns that bring the sand much more into play. But it’s the water that remains the overriding concern, with plenty of opportunities to add to the lake’s growing number of submerged golf balls. Seven of the holes along the lake require carries of some significance to remain dry, with some scary tee shots for players of average length or shorter. Two of the par 3s are all carry to the green, but both are manageable at 158 and 177 from the blues. Manageable, yes. Inviting, no. Both require solid, accurate contact, with inaccuracy to the wrong side similarly penalized. The new hole is the par-3 10th, which has different angles from different tees to a redan, well-bunkered green. The mix of par 4s include only a handful with much length, but the longest of the group (14) is as daunting a hole as you’ll encounter, with a second shot that has absolutely no room to miss from long range. Several of the shorter two-shotters begin with intimidating all carry tee shots, with the approaches also including some danger. Several of the inland holes have new looks thanks to the changes in bunkering, which has also enhanced their character. The par-5 sixth also added some new bunkers as well as extra yards which make it a much more formidable challenge. The course remains one of the most enjoyable and picturesque in the state, but as the lofty slope numbers will attest, it’s now a pretty strong test as well.