Every April, Augusta becomes the center of the golf universe. Hotel rooms vanish months ahead, prices climb faster than a Sunday leaderboard, and whatever's left is usually wedged between a gas station and an interstate ramp.
We'd like to suggest a different plan.
McCormick sits about an hour from Augusta National, just over the state line on the South Carolina side. That's close enough for the morning drive to become part of the ritual: coffee in the cupholder, friendly arguments about who's going to fall apart at Amen Corner. And it's far enough that when you come back, the crowds don't follow you home.
Two Weeks of Golf, 2027
Yes, two weeks. It starts with the Women's Amateur at the end of March and doesn't let up until someone's slipping on a green jacket. If you've ever wanted to see more than one day of it, this is your excuse to stay a while.
Making the drive
Give yourself about an hour, and a little more on tournament mornings. Traffic near the course starts early, but so does everyone else, so you'll be in good company. Flying in? Augusta Regional Airport is the closest.
Coming back at night
This is the part people don't expect to love as much as they do. In Augusta that week, dinner can mean an hour-long wait and a buzzer in your hand. Here, you can walk a few minutes to a local spot downtown and sit right down (small-town hours, so don't dawdle), or skip going out and cook in a real kitchen. Either way, the car stays parked out front, and tomorrow starts whenever you want it to.
Golf on your off days
If a day of watching the pros makes you want to go humble yourself a little, you don't have to go far. Hickory Knob State Park has an 18-hole public course with tee times online, and McCormick Country Club has nine holes a little closer to town. Savannah Lakes Village has two more courses, Monticello and Tara. They're member clubs, so call ahead about guest play.