The Creek At Hard Labor State Park

This course is a great place to play golf. It is a very quiet golf course set back in the woods away from the city traffic. Just walking on the course gives you a chance to take in the scenery and a deep breath of good ole' fresh air. I definitely will return.

Was in the area from Macon for work and had already played Cherokee Run. Decided to give "The Creek" a go. I was very pleased with the attention the staff gave me and the helpful tips being a first timer. Layout is a nice challenge and requires you to shape shots. Has both up and down elevated shots to greens which are always fun. First cut of rough is maybe 1/4-1/2 too high; but other than that, I would definitely play this course again if I were in the area.

I had heard many people tell me it was a good golf course. Everyone has their own opinion and mine differs from most. The tee boxes were like concrete that were painted green. I am serious when I say you need to bring a hammer to put your tee in the ground. The course has a good mixture of long and short holes, straight and doglegs and nice scenery. The short rough is too long ( I lost 4 balls in the short rough). You have to step on your ball to find it.
This is not my idea of a nice golf outting. I do not think I will return. There are too many nice courses in North Georgia to spend your time at.

The Creek at Hard Labor is definitely "out in the boonies," close to the tiny town of Rutledge, but well worth the drive. I played from the tips, which is a modest 6,500 yards, and was greeted with one of the most difficult opening holes I have ever played - a downhill dogleg right with a tiny landing area and a pond at the bottom of the hill, with an approach shot to a green perched high upon the hill beyond the pond. It was an introduction to the style of golf I would need to play for the entire 18 holes - "position golf," where driver is only necessary on certain holes.

Hybrids and fairway woods are better for most of the tight holes on the front nine, and while the back nine is a little more open in places, unless you're a straight shooter with the big stick, you're better off leaving it in the bag.

My only knock on the course is the green speeds, which are slow. I left quite a few putts short. With the healthy Bermuda, they could stand to be a bit faster, but they putted true. Otherwise, it's a great design with no residential homes to worry with - you're in a state park, and it's just you and nature. No ridiculous OB stakes two yards off the cart path, no houses mucking up the views, no long waits on the tee boxes. I played on a Monday, and zipped through in less than three hours. This is golf as pure and challenging as it gets. I will be back.

Greens were in great shape, I'm assuming because of all the rain. Tee boxes were redone recently and looked great also. Played for $15 on golfnow which is a steal. Would pay $45 a round to play here

course is in really good shape, rough needs to be cut

The course needs attention. Great layout but grass hasn't been maintained. Lots of scalping/brown spots/uneven cutting of the fairways. The rough is almost unplayable. Grass is 6-8" high and ball just sinks down. A shot that barely misses the green will sink in the bermuda making it hard to even locate. I love this course but will not play again until it is maintained better. It has great potential and is lots of fun but almost an unfair test in its current state

The greens are very consistent. Fairways in great shape. Hard to find a ball once it gets in the Bermuda rough.

1st time playing here. Played a two-some on a Sunday @ 11:50. Pace was excellent...rarely saw a group ahead or behind (we played intentionally a little slow to accommodate for only having two players). Course was in great shape, other than some soggy areas caused by the never ending rain this summer. Greens were very smooth and rolled true, but were SLOW. Would certainly recommend this course to anyone...will definitely be back.

Course in good condition with a few wet areas due to excess rains for several weeks. Greens all in good condition, looking forward to planning another round.

Course was in great shape based on the amount of recent rain. We have had one of the wettest summers on record in Georgia this year. The only complaint was that I was a member of a threesome and the pro shop let four singles out right behind my group. I can understand one single maybe two, but never four in a row. I feel like the pro shop could have done a better job pairing up the singles so it didn't seem like you had golfers breathing down your throat the whole loop.

Greens were pretty slow and fairways high but it has rained for the last 10 days.

This was the first I played Hard Labor as I usually play Lane Creek which is a little closer to home. I would say the course is on par with Lane Creek quality wise. There are some very beautiful and scenic holes here. The course is fairly short from the whites however very few holes offer a wide open straight tee shot. Lots of water hazzards. Didn't shoot my best round but I had a case of the pullsies. Over all I would recommend this course. I ended up paying $38.

Cheers

Great layout with lots of trees, hills and mother nature abound. Played 36 holes in 6 hours. Would've played more if daylight would've allowed. Back tees are less than 6700 yards but sufficient to afford some very long and challenging par fours. Way out in the boonies but worth the drive. This is a must play at least a few times a year. Decent practice range and putting green.

Played with brother for his birthday on 6/7/13 for first time with Golfnow discount. Best value ever for course layout and condition I ever experienced in 40 years of golfing. The course is truly a hidden gem. Scenery on several holes was remarkable. I would love to see the course in the fall when the foliage is peak. Several holes were very challenging and long. Will remember the outing for years to come. The Creek at Hard Labor is a must play. You will not be disappointed.

Tee boxes good, fairways were in very good condition but the greens were a little slow.
Overall a very good course.

Greens had been aerated, but that had no effect, as the greens were extremely bumpy and thin. The Bermuda grass greens had not come in yet.

Greens and Fairways were in great shape. The tee boxes need some work.

I was really disappointed with the conditions of the course. Traps washed out and not raked even thought it had been 3 days since any significant rain. Greens were in horrible condition, 8 or 9 greens sanded but no airation. Fairways also never punched this spring, hard as a rock with very little grass. Had not played this course in 4 or 5 years now I know why. I know it is a state course but they need to spend a little money on the course. Arrowhead Point at Lake Russell is in 10 times better shape and that is a State Course. What gives

As #1 is the hardest hole on the course, the start can be a little deflating if you don't warm up 1st. From there it is a fun and challenging set up to play. Even the "easier" holes have their pitfalls but all can be managed with a lot of fun to boot. I recommend this course mostly because the course itself is never the reason for a poor shot opportunity. It is in very good shape , especially the greens.