Wilmington Island at Wilmington Island Club

Wilmington Island Club occupies a coastal setting just east of Savannah, where Donald Ross designed the original eighteen holes in the 1920s during his prolific period of work throughout the American South. The course sits on relatively flat terrain characteristic of Georgia's barrier island region, with mature live oaks draped in Spanish moss framing many holes and providing definition to the layout. Ross routed the design to take advantage of the natural landscape, incorporating subtle elevation changes and strategic bunkering that reward thoughtful course management over pure distance.

The design reflects Ross's characteristic principles: greens with deceptive contours and false fronts, fairway bunkers positioned to challenge tee shots at specific distances, and an emphasis on approach play where angle and trajectory matter as much as length. The property's coastal location means wind can be a factor, particularly on the more exposed holes, adding variability to club selection and strategy. Several holes play along or near tidal marshes that border portions of the property, introducing both scenic beauty and strategic hazards.

As a private club, Wilmington Island has served Savannah's golfing community for nearly a century. The course has undergone periodic updates and restoration work over the decades to maintain playability while respecting Ross's original design intent. The layout remains a testament to Ross's ability to create engaging golf on modest terrain, relying on strategic architecture rather than dramatic landforms to challenge players of varying abilities.