Did I know I was ahead of the curve 20 years ago? Probably not. Back then, when I left Florida, fresh out of college, it was about starting a new life in a community that felt real. Two decades ago, Georgia felt like a hidden gem. Today? This coast isn’t hiding anymore. It’s the quiet competitor stealing Florida’s spotlight. And a key reason is the luxury golf.
Florida vs Georgia
For decades, Florida has been the glossy magazine cover of golf and luxury living. Its palm trees, endless tee times, and neighborhoods that look like movie sets made it the go-to destination for the golf club lifestyle. However, the reality behind the gloss is heavy traffic, higher costs, and crowded golf courses.
However, Georgia is different. From Savannah down to St. Marys, this slim stretch of coastline offers championship golf, stunning waterfront homes, and communities that manage to feel both sophisticated and grounded. I see it every day when I tour properties with clients. There’s a moment when it clicks, when someone stands on a porch overlooking the marsh, hears the quiet, and knows “This feels like home”.
Golf is Personal
Here in Coastal Georgia, golf is personal. My kids love heading out early for a round, while I’m more likely to enjoy sunrise on the beach sunrise with my dog. The difference is the atmosphere, you don’t feel like you’re competing with a thousand other people just to enjoy your own club.
Take Sea Island’s Seaside Course. This is a world-class course which has hosted the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic. But on a weekday morning, as the sun rises over the Atlantic, it feels like it belongs just to you. The same goes for The Landings on Skidaway Island, where I’ve watched clients-turned-friends find not just a course, but a community. That balance, prestige without pretension, is rare, and it’s what keeps golf lovers choosing Georgia over Florida.
Here, life whispers. Our kids grew up crabbing off docks, paddling through tidal creeks, and biking home from friends’ houses under moss-draped oaks. It’s the kind of childhood that feels almost old-fashioned, in the best way.
And for adults? Communities like Frederica Golf Club on St. Simons or Ford River and Field Club in Richmond Hill, blend resort-level amenities with true neighborhood charm. You’ll find private clubs, fitness centers, and social calendars full of golf outings and oyster roasts, but also neighbors who know your name and stop to wave.
This is where my real estate expertise comes in. After decades of helping families, retirees, and second-home buyers relocate, I can say with confidence: Georgia’s coast is one of the smartest investments out there.
Better Value
In Georgia, comparable homes and club memberships here often come at a fraction of Florida’s price tag, without sacrificing quality. I’ve worked with countless clients who sold in Florida and were amazed at what their money could buy here. They were able to access larger homes, bigger lots, and deeper water docks. And perhaps most importantly, golf club memberships that don’t require a waitlist.
Also, endless travel options are possible because Savannah’s international airport is just down the road. Time with family and friends is accessible because arranging a visit is easy. And spontaneous getaways to Europe are absolutely doable.
Sharing Personal Experience
After raising my kids here and building my career helping others do the same, I can tell you: this coast is the real deal. It’s not just about golf. It’s about living in a place that feels exclusive without being exhausting, elegant without being over-the-top.
So maybe the question isn’t whether Georgia is beating Florida (at football and everything else). Maybe it’s whether Florida is even playing the same game anymore.
Because here on this 100-mile stretch of coast, golf and luxury living aren’t just thriving, they’re at their best. And for me, my family, and the clients who’ve put down roots here, that’s no longer a secret. It’s home.