Mississippi’s top golf courses combine elite design with scenic, often secluded settings that rival more famous destinations.
If you’re looking for the best places to play, Fallen Oak, Mossy Oak, Old Waverly, Grand Bear, and Dancing Rabbit (Azaleas) stand out as the state’s premier options—each offering a distinct experience.
Keep reading for a closer look at what makes each course worth your time.
What Makes Mississippi a Hidden Gem for Golf Enthusiasts
Mississippi might not top most golf destination lists at first glance, but once you dig in, it’s clear the state punches well above its weight.
Between its mix of natural beauty, high-caliber course design, and a blend of private and public access, Mississippi offers a surprisingly rich experience for golfers who know where to look.
Diverse Natural Terrain That Shapes Each Round
Mississippi’s landscape gives course designers a broad canvas to work with, and that variety shows.
You’ll find yourself playing across very different environments depending on where you tee it up.
Courses like Mossy Oak unfold across wide, rolling pastureland once used for dairy farming, offering openness and visibility that challenge your strategy more than your shot-shaping.
Meanwhile, just an hour away, Grand Bear and Fallen Oak carve their way through dense pine forests inside the De Soto National Forest, giving you a feeling of total isolation as you navigate tree-lined fairways and dramatic elevation changes.
This contrast in settings doesn’t just add to the beauty—it directly affects how each course plays.
Some courses rely on elevation and natural contours for complexity.
Others, like Dancing Rabbit, use water and narrow corridors to demand accuracy.
You’ll rarely feel like you’re playing the same kind of hole twice, even within the same round.
Balancing Public Access and Private Prestige
One of the biggest planning considerations for golf trips in Mississippi is access.
Some of the state’s best courses are private or semi-private, so it’s important to know what’s available to you before you show up.
- Public options like Grand Bear and Dancing Rabbit offer high-quality golf without the need for a membership. These courses are well-maintained, thoughtfully designed, and open to anyone who books in advance.
- Private clubs like Old Waverly and Mossy Oak require either membership or sponsored access. However, many of them offer stay-and-play packages or host events that create windows of availability for non-members.
- Fallen Oak stands out as a hybrid, exclusive to guests of the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. While technically not public, access is possible with a hotel reservation, making it a more attainable luxury experience.
Understanding this landscape ahead of time helps you make the most of your trip—whether you’re squeezing in a round during a weekend getaway or planning a dedicated golf vacation.
A Playing Experience That’s Secluded, Scenic, and Southern
A major part of Mississippi’s appeal is how immersive the playing experience feels.
Most of the top courses are built to remove you from everyday noise.
You won’t see homes lining the fairways or roads cutting through the course.
Instead, the layout invites you into the environment.
The sounds you hear are natural—birds, wind through the trees, maybe a nearby creek—not cars or construction.
This sense of calm isn’t just about aesthetics; it directly affects your game.
Without distractions, it’s easier to focus, enjoy the moment, and get more from each round.
That’s a big reason these courses often feel more memorable than busier, more commercial layouts in other states.
Beyond that, there’s an unmistakable Southern hospitality element woven into the experience.
Staff at nearly every club—from the bag drop to the pro shop—take pride in treating guests like members.
That’s something you’ll notice whether you’re checking into a high-end resort or booking a tee time at a public course.
Legendary Designers Leave Their Mark
It’s one thing to have great scenery—it’s another to have great architects make full use of it.
Mississippi has attracted some of golf’s most respected course designers, and their work speaks volumes.
- Tom Fazio, often called the master of visual drama, designed Fallen Oak to highlight the rugged elevation and lush vegetation of the De Soto National Forest. He also co-designed Dancing Rabbit, which blends precision with beauty in a setting that’s both challenging and inviting.
- Jack Nicklaus put his signature on Grand Bear, creating a course that uses wide corridors and clean lines to favor strategic thinking over brute force. It’s a public course that still feels polished and thoughtfully built.
- Gil Hanse, known for minimalist, natural-feeling layouts, brought that philosophy to Mossy Oak. With fewer than 20 trees and over 100 bunkers, it’s a study in simplicity that’s anything but easy.
- Jerry Pate and Bob Cupp contributed to the classic parkland feel of Old Waverly, a course that’s hosted USGA championships and still remains highly playable for a wide range of skill levels.
These names aren’t just decoration—they’re a signal that you’re playing on courses built with intention, where every shot was considered in the design.
That level of thoughtfulness elevates Mississippi’s golf scene and makes it worth the trip.
Fallen Oak Golf Club – Luxury and Exclusivity in the De Soto Forest
If you're looking for a high-end golf experience in Mississippi, Fallen Oak is in a class of its own.
Secluded deep within the De Soto National Forest, this Tom Fazio-designed course delivers a quiet, refined escape reserved only for guests of the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino—a setup that adds an extra layer of exclusivity to an already exceptional round.
Designed for Visual Drama and Pure Playability
Tom Fazio is known for pairing striking aesthetics with playability, and Fallen Oak is one of his strongest examples.
The course stretches to 7,487 yards from the back tees, with a par of 72, a course rating of 76.5, and a slope of 142, making it one of the most challenging—and rewarding—layouts in the region.
But while the numbers suggest difficulty, Fazio’s use of five tee boxes makes the course playable for a range of skill levels.
What sets this layout apart is how seamlessly it blends into its surroundings.
Fallen Oak features dramatic elevation changes that aren't typically found in this part of the country, and it incorporates more than 10 hand-built bridges along the way.
Even the cart paths are hidden, routed in ways that preserve the uninterrupted forest views.
This attention to detail creates an immersive experience where nature and design work hand in hand.
A Championship Pedigree That Adds Weight
Since 2010, Fallen Oak has hosted the PGA Tour Champions’ Rapiscan Systems Classic, an event that brings some of golf’s most seasoned professionals to Mississippi each year.
This tournament exposure is more than just a nice credential—it affirms the course’s quality and consistency under tournament conditions.
For recreational players, it also means you're playing on turf that’s maintained to meet professional standards, with surfaces that roll true and fairways that reward well-placed shots.
Exclusivity that Feels Personal
One of the most unique aspects of Fallen Oak is its access model.
You can’t just call and book a tee time.
The course is only available to guests of the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in nearby Biloxi.
This built-in exclusivity means rounds are rarely crowded, and the entire experience—from arrival to post-round service—is tailored with hospitality in mind.
Because of this relationship with Beau Rivage, players can expect a seamless service chain.
Your bags are handled, your round is prepped, and the facilities—ranging from an upscale clubhouse to attentive on-course staff—reflect the same standard of care found in the resort itself.
How to Play at Fallen Oak
If you're planning a visit, here’s what you need to know:
- Book a stay at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. Tee times at Fallen Oak are only available to resort guests.
- Reserve your round early. The course limits the number of daily players to preserve the experience, so tee times can fill up fast, especially around tournament dates or peak seasons.
- Ask about golf packages. The resort occasionally offers bundled deals that include accommodations, green fees, and additional perks.
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or simply want a refined golf escape in a secluded setting, Fallen Oak delivers one of the most complete and memorable rounds you’ll find—not just in Mississippi, but anywhere in the Southeast.
Mossy Oak Golf Club – A Modern Minimalist Challenge
If you're drawn to courses that blend natural landforms with strategic design, Mossy Oak Golf Club is one worth knowing.
Located in West Point, MS, this private club offers a rare mix of visual openness and playing complexity—built on former pastureland and shaped by one of golf’s top modern architects, Gil Hanse.
Wide Open Views, Subtle but Demanding Design
One of the first things you'll notice at Mossy Oak is how exposed it feels—in the best possible way.
There are fewer than 20 trees on the entire course, a deliberate move by Hanse to showcase the rolling contours of what used to be the Knob Hill Dairy Farm.
The openness creates sweeping sightlines and a more honest view of what lies ahead, but it doesn’t mean the course is forgiving.
Instead of relying on thick tree lines or dense vegetation for difficulty, Mossy Oak uses more than 100 strategically placed bunkers and wide, undulating fairways that shift depending on wind conditions.
Every shot demands a clear plan and precise execution, especially since there's nowhere to hide a mishit.
If you're not used to links-style golf or minimalist layouts, the openness might feel deceptive at first—but the challenge becomes clear quickly.
Influence of College Golf and Elite Practice Standards
This isn’t just a destination course—it’s also a training ground.
Mossy Oak is the official home course of Mississippi State University’s men’s and women’s golf teams, which means it’s built to test and improve top-level players.
That influence shows up in the layout.
Blind tee shots are guided by discreet visual guideposts, helping players commit to lines even when they can’t see the landing area.
More importantly, the course emphasizes precision around the greens.
The tightly mowed surrounds and elevated green complexes force you to think through each short-game decision.
There’s little room for a bailout—your wedge game and putting touch both need to be sharp.
For amateurs, this setup offers a steep but fair learning curve.
For skilled players, it’s the kind of environment that rewards creative shotmaking.
Planning Your Visit: What to Know Before You Go
Mossy Oak operates as a private club, so you’ll either need a membership or a sponsored invitation to play.
If you’re considering a golf trip or looking to join a club with long-term value, it’s worth contacting them directly about membership availability and guest policies.
However, timing matters right now. As of January 2025, the course has entered a nine-month renovation phase.
That means availability will be limited—or paused entirely—depending on the scope of the work being done.
If you’re interested in visiting:
- Reach out well in advance to check timelines and renovation updates.
- Inquire about future membership opportunities if you’re looking for a longer-term golf home or corporate membership.
- Pair your trip with Old Waverly, which is adjacent to Mossy Oak and offers a more traditional parkland layout—giving you two high-level courses in one visit.
Mossy Oak isn’t built to impress with grand buildings or overdone landscaping.
Its appeal lies in its simplicity, and in how that simplicity is leveraged to create one of the most thoughtful golf tests in Mississippi.
If you’re the kind of golfer who appreciates nuance and subtle challenge, this is the kind of course you won’t forget.
Old Waverly Golf Club – Championship Golf with Southern Hospitality
Old Waverly isn’t just one of Mississippi’s most iconic golf courses—it’s a place where top-tier competitive golf and warm, Southern hospitality come together.
Located in West Point, this private club offers a refined but welcoming experience, equally suited for serious players and those looking to enjoy a luxurious golf retreat.
A Course with Proven Championship Credentials
When a course has hosted both the 1999 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur, it’s worth paying attention.
These events brought some of the world’s best players to West Point and showcased Old Waverly’s ability to handle tournament-level play without sacrificing its member-friendly nature.
The tournament pedigree is more than just a bullet point—it reflects the course’s balance between challenge and beauty.
With a course rating of 74.0 and a slope of 140, Old Waverly stretches out to 7,088 yards from the back tees, offering enough complexity to challenge low handicaps while remaining approachable thanks to multiple tee boxes.
Timeless Design That Marries Parkland Feel with Strategic Play
Designed by Bob Cupp and Jerry Pate, Old Waverly features a classic parkland layout—think generous fairways, mature trees, and a routing that rewards smart play.
The course winds around a series of lakes, with Lake Waverly making a dramatic appearance on the closing hole, where water guards the green and demands both focus and finesse.
What stands out most is how natural the course feels.
Every hole fits its surroundings in a way that doesn’t feel forced.
The flow from tee to green is intuitive, and each shot has a clear objective without being overly punishing.
It’s the kind of course where even a tough round still feels enjoyable.
A Resort Experience Beyond the Fairways
One of Old Waverly’s greatest strengths is that it’s more than just a golf club—it’s a full-scale destination.
The property includes villas and cottages for on-site lodging, making it a popular option for buddy trips, couples’ weekends, or corporate retreats.
The amenities go well beyond the course itself:
- A swimming pool complex for post-round relaxation
- Tennis courts and a fitness center for those wanting to stay active off the course
- Premier fishing opportunities on-site, perfect for unwinding or entertaining guests
This blend of world-class golf and leisure options makes Old Waverly a strong choice if you're looking for an all-inclusive, high-end golf getaway without leaving the state.
How to Gain Access and Plan Your Visit
Old Waverly is a private club, so general public access is limited.
However, they do offer a few pathways for non-members:
- Sponsored access through a current member may be available upon request.
- Stay-and-play packages provide another entry point, particularly for those booking on-site accommodations.
- Membership inquiries are encouraged for those looking for a long-term connection to the club—either as an individual, family, or part of a corporate group.
If you’re planning a trip that also includes Mossy Oak (located just next door), combining the two offers a well-rounded experience: one course steeped in tradition and classic design, and the other more modern and minimalist.
Together, they make West Point a surprisingly rich golf destination in the heart of Mississippi.
Whether you're chasing championship conditions or simply want a weekend that feels a little elevated, Old Waverly delivers on both fronts—with Southern charm to spare.
Grand Bear Golf Club – A Secluded Public Treasure
For golfers looking to escape the noise and settle into a pure, uninterrupted round, Grand Bear Golf Club offers just that.
Tucked deep inside the De Soto National Forest, this public-access course brings together signature Jack Nicklaus design, rugged natural beauty, and a peaceful setting that’s increasingly rare among high-caliber courses.
A Hidden Gem Built for Focused, Strategic Play
Reaching Grand Bear is a journey in itself—six miles off the main road, down a winding path surrounded by towering pines.
Once you arrive, you’ll notice what isn’t there: no homes, no highways, no visual clutter.
It’s just golf, and that’s very much by design.
Jack Nicklaus took full advantage of the property’s seclusion, creating a layout that offers complete immersion, with no two holes running parallel.
Every fairway feels like its own private corridor through the forest.
While Grand Bear stretches to 7,204 yards, it doesn’t feel overwhelming thanks to its wide fairways and thoughtful routing.
It plays to a par of 72, with a course rating of 75.5 and a slope of 143, giving experienced players plenty of bite while remaining playable for mid-handicappers who choose the right tee box.
The Bermuda grass used throughout the course—on both fairways and greens—offers consistent roll and playability across all seasons.
The layout encourages creativity, particularly around the greens.
Many holes give you the option to play the ball low and run it up, which makes it especially enjoyable for players who prefer a ground game over forced carries.
National Recognition Without the Private Price Tag
Despite its remote setting, Grand Bear hasn’t gone unnoticed.
In 2024, GolfPass named it one of the Top 50 Public Courses in the U.S., highlighting its conditioning, value, and experience.
What makes this recognition even more impressive is the course’s accessibility.
Unlike many courses of similar quality, Grand Bear remains open to the public, with no membership required.
That said, public doesn’t mean wide-open tee sheets.
Because of its growing reputation and scenic appeal, prime tee times can book quickly—especially during peak seasons like spring and fall when conditions are at their best.
It’s smart to plan ahead:
- Reserve online early, particularly if you’re booking a weekend or traveling from out of state.
- Check for midweek availability, which often provides a quieter experience and better pace of play.
- Ask about group rates or package deals, especially if you’re organizing a trip that includes other nearby courses like Fallen Oak or Dancing Rabbit.
A Round That’s About More Than Just Golf
While the layout and playing conditions are the stars, part of what makes Grand Bear stand out is how it makes you feel while you’re playing.
With the forest as your backdrop and no distractions around you, each hole feels almost meditative.
There’s a rhythm to the round that’s hard to replicate at courses surrounded by development or foot traffic.
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer chasing a new experience or a recreational player looking for a peaceful escape, Grand Bear offers a rare combination of public access, elite design, and natural tranquility.
It’s one of those courses where a single visit often turns into a yearly tradition.
Dancing Rabbit (Azaleas) – Public Access Meets Championship Quality
Set on more than 700 acres of secluded Mississippi woodlands, Dancing Rabbit Golf Club’s Azaleas Course offers public golfers a chance to play a layout that feels—and plays—like a private championship venue.
With its strategic design, forested setting, and resort-level amenities, this course delivers an experience that’s both accessible and elevated.
A Course That Feels Vast, But Plays Tight
The Azaleas Course winds its way through dense pine forests and rolling hills, creating a serene but demanding environment.
While the setting is expansive, the layout itself demands precision.
Fairways tend to be narrow and well-protected, often bordered by thick rough and strategic bunkering that punish anything off line.
Elevation changes are frequent and often subtle, requiring careful club selection and solid execution, particularly on approach shots.
Several holes also incorporate water hazards, which come into play in both visible and unexpected ways.
These design elements force players to think their way around the course, rather than just grip it and rip it.
Despite the challenges, the Azaleas Course remains approachable thanks to well-maintained tee boxes and TifEagle greens that roll true without becoming overly punishing.
Design That Encourages Smart Play
Co-designed by Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate, the course blends aesthetic appeal with shot-making strategy.
Fazio’s influence is evident in the sculpted visuals—framed tee boxes, dramatic green complexes, and fairways that flow naturally with the land. Pate brings a player’s touch, ensuring the course challenges without overwhelming.
The balance between visual intimidation and actual playability is one of the Azaleas Course’s best traits.
Even mid-handicappers will find opportunities for birdies if they can manage their game and stay out of trouble.
National Recognition That Backs Up the Experience
Dancing Rabbit doesn’t just look good—it’s consistently ranked among the best.
The Azaleas Course has appeared on Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 You Can Play” list, as well as Golf Digest’s Top 10 New Upscale Public Golf Courses.
These accolades speak to both the quality of the design and the attention paid to course conditions, which are monitored and maintained to meet high standards year-round.
A Resort Stay That Completes the Package
As part of the Pearl River Resort, the Azaleas Course offers more than just golf.
Players can book a stay directly through the resort, making it easy to turn a day on the course into a full weekend getaway.
On-site amenities include:
- Comfortable accommodations close to the course
- Dining and entertainment options within walking distance
- Access to a second course—The Oaks, also part of Dancing Rabbit—for variety
Booking a resort stay not only adds convenience, it often provides priority tee time access and packaged pricing that can be more cost-effective than booking a round and lodging separately.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
If you’re planning to play the Azaleas Course:
- Book in advance, especially during spring and fall, when the course is in peak condition and demand increases.
- Ask about golf packages through the Pearl River Resort—these often include added perks like range access, meal credits, or discounted second rounds.
- Play both courses if possible—the Oaks Course provides a contrasting layout that makes for a well-rounded golf experience.
Dancing Rabbit’s Azaleas Course is a rare combination of accessibility and top-tier design.
For players who want a public golf experience that doesn’t compromise on quality—or the chance to pair great golf with a full-service resort—it’s one of Mississippi’s most complete and satisfying options.
Conclusion
Mississippi’s top golf courses offer a surprising mix of championship design, scenic settings, and a range of access options from fully public to exclusive private.
Whether you’re after a secluded forest layout or a polished resort experience, the state delivers serious quality without the crowds.
Plan ahead, choose your course wisely, and you’ll walk away with a round to remember.
