Barnsley Resort Golf Review

The Barnsley Resort is a secluded getaway encompassing over 3,000 acres of the north Georgia countryside. This serene laid-back retreat has it all and is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. If you are looking for rest or recreation, Barnsley can accommodate whatever your wants and needs.

The Resort is located a few miles from Adairsville off of Interstate 75 about an hour north of Atlanta. Upon arriving, I could see a few of the golf course holes on my left and a farmer's field on the right of the roadway in. At the gate I was met by a very friendly guard who welcomed us and directed us on a winding road to the check-in at the Inn. The 55 room Inn was completed in 2018 and is a worthy complement to the abundance of charming cottages that had been the main stays at Barnsley Resort. There is a full assortment of 36 different cottages to enjoy. From one bedroom Arbor to large multi-bedroom Estate cottages that are all pleasantly decorated in period furnishings; wood burning fireplaces, claw-foot bathtubs, hardwood or carpeted flooring, and the warm detailing to make your time here as comfortable as possible. We stayed in a lovely ground floor room at the Inn, just a few steps away from a quiet porch with rocking chairs to relax or read. I have got to mention that we had the best shower I have ever had in my many years of traveling. The roominess of the stall to the different flow levels of the two shower heads, one which was handheld and the other overhead was just superb.

The Resort is designed to park the car for your stay and use the pedestrian-friendly walkways to the pool, spa, clubhouse, gardens and different dining venues. There are places to stop and leisurely sit and enjoy your surroundings, play corn-hole on the lawn, taste a campfire roasted s'more, read a book or just relax. One afternoon while we were relaxing, one of the trainers was working with a hunting dog on the lawn which was fascinating to watch.

Dining at Barnsley has its options. Located in the Clubhouse, the Woodlands Grill, overlooking the picturesque golf course and surrounding hills, serves up all three meals in delightful surroundings. My personal favorite was the Rice House located in a 19th century farmhouse with a "yard to fork" dining experience with period furnishings and a sun porch adjacent to the main dining room. There are also private dining rooms available for special gatherings. We had a light lunch one day and then a complete dining experience with a substantial wine list which were both delightful. Along the pathway from the Inn to the cottages there is an outdoor Beer Garden with delicious bbq, craft beers and other lite fare. Here we could get a grab and go breakfast sandwich on our way to our golf game. At the pool they serve more lite fare and ice cream. If you are a foodie like me you can make arrangements to join the Chef on a guided Wild Mushroom & Herb Forage. The service was friendly and knowledgable.

Barnsley Resort was named one of the Top Golf Resorts in the Southeast by Conde Nast Traveler. My first impression of the golf course coming into the Resort was that it was a links-style track. Well, the first and second holes, both dogleg par fours, might give you that impression, but that theory was quickly forgotten when we started climbing the hills starting with the 205-yard par 3, third hole. Course architect Jim Fazio took full advantage of the magnificent mountain terrain and the welcoming valley area to design a stunning and challenging layout in complete harmony with its natural surroundings. Golf Advisor chose Barnsley Resort as the #1 golf course in Georgia and 21st in the United States in 2018. I was thoroughly impressed with the meticulous condition of the course, how it winds around the lakes, the unbeatable scenery, speedy bent-grass greens and the best collection of par 3's I have experienced in a long while. The track stretches out to 7,200 yards and has four sets of tees to make anyone's game enjoyable. The back nine was my favorite of the two. There are outcroppings next to the mountaintop 12th green and in the 13th fairway. The 227-yard par 3,14th is their signature hole and a perfect Kodak moment, dropping over 100 yards to the green. You slowly make your way down to the valley and a great finishing hole, a par 4 that narrows to an elevated green. Par for me- I'll be back. Head Golf Professional Chase Rutledge and his fine staff do an excellent job of making sure members and guests have the finest golf experience while at Barnsley Resort.

After lunch we returned to the practice area to take a lesson from PGA Teaching Professional Kyle Morris at the Barnsley Resort Teaching School. The two bay 750 square foot teaching lab is at the end of the large driving range. Kyle is a graduate of the Golf Academy of America, TPI Certified and a Club Fitter for TaylorMade, Titlist, Callaway and PXG. He utilizes Trackman radar and Swing Catalyst technologies in his instructional method. Kyle does not believe in breaking down your swing and rebuilding it, but enhancing your methodology with readings from trackman and visually observing your setup to ensure you are maximizing all your body parts to strike the ball properly with efficiency. We spent a good part of the hour-long session working on setup and hitting the ball properly and then moved to the practice putting surface to work on correcting some flaws in the putting setup, particularly the pendulum swing with equal hand pressure and eyes over the ball properly. To contact Kyle about group or individual lessons email Kyle.Morris@BarnsleyResort.com.

Barnsley is much more than a golf resort. They have partnered with the iconic Beretta brand and John Burell's High Adventure Company, America's leading provider of high-end sporting adventures to develop the Beretta Shooting Grounds where you can enjoy premier shooting clays, wing shooting and the Swarovski long-range shooting school. Arrangements can be made for sporting and hunting excursions as well. You can go horseback riding, hiking, biking or UTV riding cross country. For a more relaxing choice, a leisure row on the lake next to the 17th and 18th fairways or a catch and release fish.

After shooting at the range, a round of golf, hike or ride, you can enjoy a treatment in the newly redesigned Spa with 10 treatment rooms with separate relaxation areas for men and women complete with lockers, sauna and steam room. Inspired by the natural surroundings, the expert therapists pair nature's healing remedies with the latest technologies for massage, facials, body treatments and beauty services. The Spa is next to the pool near the Woodlands Grill.

I had to make sure I visited the Woodlands ruins and gardens which if you are a history buff or plant enthusiast, you will want to check out.

Barnsley Resort is the perfect facility to make a business meeting or wedding a memorable success. With 16,000 square feet of meeting space and a 5,000 square foot Savannah Ballroom, your company outing or wedding will be unforgettable.

No matter what your reason, Barnsley Resort is a must visit if you are in Georgia and especially Atlanta. Celebrating 20 years of warm southern hospitality, visit BarnsleyResort.com or call 877-773-2447 for more information.