Imagine waking up to sunlight on Lake Oconee and the quiet hum of a mower across a Jack Nicklaus fairway just beyond your back porch. If you’re drawn to golf, water and an easy social rhythm, living on the course at Great Waters delivers all three. In this guide, you’ll see how daily life unfolds here, what on-course homes look like, how memberships and amenities work, and the practical checks to make before you buy. Let’s dive in.

Great Waters at a glance

Great Waters sits inside Reynolds Lake Oconee, a gated, resort-residential community in the Eatonton and Greensboro area of central Georgia. The headline is golf: Great Waters is a Jack Nicklaus Signature course, a par‑72 layout opened in 1992 and restored in 2019 to refine turf, drainage and bunkering. Many holes trace the shoreline, which means long views and natural backdrops from nearby homes. You can preview the course’s setting and history on the official Great Waters course page.

What the course adds to daily life

The routing hugs Lake Oconee, so you get a blend of fairway, water and tree line views rather than tight rows of houses. Outdoor spaces often face the course to capture breezes and sunset color. On a typical evening, neighbors watch approach shots from screened porches, then stroll or cart over for dinner at a club venue. It feels relaxed yet active, shaped by the rhythm of tee sheets and member events.

How on-course living feels day to day

Mornings to evenings

Weekdays start quietly, with early rounds and walkers on the cart paths. Many residents play nine before work, then return for practice or a casual lunch. Evenings often shift to the water for a quick cruise or to a club patio for sunset. Weekends bring more tee times and social events, so the neighborhood feels livelier.

Privacy and the club rhythm

Lots are typically set back from fairways and framed by landscaping for privacy. You should still expect occasional golf traffic, maintenance activity and tournament days. Great Waters and Reynolds host member competitions and periodic junior events, which add energy to the calendar. For history and the performance culture here, the AJGA’s profile highlights the course and The Reynolds Kingdom of Golf.

Home types and lot choices

On-course vs. lakefront

You’ll find custom and semi-custom single-family homes along the fairways, many with partial lake vistas. Inside Great Waters there are also lakefront homesites where eligible lots may include a private dock or the ability to build one. If a dock is important, verify the specific deed, HOA rules and lake management guidelines for that parcel. Many on-course homes instead use community marinas or subdivision dock access.

Orientation and outdoor living

Porches, decks and main living areas usually face the fairway or water. When you tour, stand on each porch to gauge sightlines, sun angles and proximity to the cart path. Note whether you’re near a tee, fairway landing area or green, since each has a different noise and privacy profile. Landscaping plans and buffer zones also matter for long-term view corridors.

Amenities that shape your routine

Practice, fitting and instruction

If you love to improve, you’ll appreciate the on-property Reynolds Kingdom of Golf for coaching, club fitting and tech-based practice. Residents use it to dial in equipment and schedule lessons without a long drive. Review the facility’s role in the community through the AJGA’s course history.

Dining and social life

Reynolds operates a broad culinary program, from tavern fare to resort dining, so most nights out happen inside the community. Favorites include casual grills, weekend brunch spots and special-occasion restaurants. Explore the variety on the Reynolds culinary page to get a feel for the social circuit.

Lake access and marinas

Lake Oconee is central to daily life here. Many residents keep a boat at a Reynolds marina or use community ramps, which makes quick sunset cruises and sandbar meetups easy. Policies and availability can be seasonal, so confirm details directly with the marina team when you are narrowing your home search.

More than golf

If you crave outdoor variety, the Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds brings sporting clays, archery, off-road and more to the mix. It’s an easy way to host visiting friends who don’t golf or to add a new hobby. Browse the Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds overview to see what’s offered.

Nearby towns and weekend fun

On the water with family and friends

Lake Oconee supports boating, wake sports, paddleboarding and fishing, with outfitters and rentals available locally. Summer weekends often revolve around coves and sandbars, while shoulder seasons bring more golf days. For ideas across all seasons, scan this guide to things to do on Lake Oconee.

Local bites and day trips

Beyond the gates, Eatonton, Greensboro and Madison offer small-town dining, galleries and events. The Greensboro corridor features a noted local brewery and restaurants worth a reservation. Get a snapshot of the scene in Southern Living’s Greensboro guide, and browse Eatonton attractions for quick family outings. For hikes and heritage, the Rock Hawk effigy site and trails are a short drive away.

Smart buyer checklist for Great Waters

• Define your lot preference. Do you want pure fairway views, partial lake views or true lakefront with potential dock rights?
• Verify docks and water access. Confirm whether a lot includes an existing private dock, the right to build one, or subdivision/community access only.
• Understand membership. Most amenities require club membership, and tiers change over time. Contact Reynolds membership for current options and pricing.
• Check HOA guidance. Review architectural rules, landscape buffers and any view-corridor standards that affect future trimming and privacy.
• Walk the surroundings. Note cart-path proximity, tee and green locations, and service-route access for maintenance.
• Time the visit. Tour on a tournament or peak weekend and on a quiet weekday to understand the neighborhood’s full rhythm.
• Plan for storage. If you own a boat or golf cart, confirm garage space, storage options and marina policies.

Is living on the course right for you?

If your ideal day blends an early tee time with a late-afternoon boat ride and dinner close to home, Great Waters fits that vision. You get the visual drama of a lakeside Nicklaus course, a deep bench of amenities and a social calendar you can dial up or down. The key is matching the right lot type and membership to how you plan to live. When you do, daily life feels both effortless and elevated.

Ready to explore on-course homes or compare them with lakefront options inside Great Waters? Reach out to Jennifer Vaughan for a private tour and a curated shortlist. Our boutique team pairs resident-level insight with concierge service to handle valuation, staging, vendor coordination and a smooth closing.

FAQs

Can non-members play the Great Waters course?

• Regular play is membership-driven, but resort guests may access tee times through stay-and-play arrangements that change over time. Confirm current guest policies with the club or see this overview of guest access context.

Do on-course homes include private docks on Lake Oconee?

• It depends on the lot. Some lakefront parcels include a private dock or the right to build one, while many on-course homes rely on subdivision access or community marinas. Always verify deed and HOA specifics for each property.

What membership do I need to use Reynolds amenities?

• Most full access to golf, dining and recreation requires a club membership, and tiers and dues change. Contact Reynolds membership directly for current options and costs before you write an offer.

Is Great Waters better for primary or second homes?

• You’ll find both. Reynolds attracts full-time residents and second-home owners, with recent trends showing an influx of younger buyers seeking year-round recreation. See the community’s note on younger buyer trends.

How much do homes in Great Waters cost?

• Inventory varies widely, from low-to-mid hundreds for smaller options to multi-million-dollar custom estates. Ask for current MLS comps to understand today’s range for your preferred lot type and view.

How far is Great Waters from Atlanta?

• Reynolds sits between Atlanta and Augusta and is commonly presented as about 1.5 to 2 hours from Atlanta, depending on route and traffic.