Brasstown Valley

Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa exists just a few miles south of the North Carolina border, serving as an escape for both Georgians and Tar Heels to the Blue Ridge Mountains in north Georgia. Those who wish to stress out at least a little bit during their stay can consider Dennis Griffiths’s 7,000-plus golf course, which takes advantage of both the rolling terrain and a significant number of streams and marshland areas in challenging players.

And in the rare instances where Mother Nature didn’t do enough for Griffiths’s liking, the architect adds a number of significant sand hazards; huge bunkers are a signature for the course.

Consider the par five at No. 11, which measures at just 500 yards from the back tees. Players considering going for it in two will need to consider not one but two enormous sets of cross bunkers...one immediately in front of the green, and one 50 yards out. It seems odd to feature a strip of fairway between the two hazards, as few sane people would lay up between them. But, perhaps those who get stuck in the first wave of defense are grateful to have somewhere to escape, prior to hopefully clearing the second set.