Just a short drive from the gulf coast lies the number one ranked golf course in Mississippi. Welcome to Fallen Oak Golf Course. As the gates swing open and you make the scenic drive to the clubhouse, you know you’re in for a special golf experience.
Fallen Oak is referred to as the “Shadow Creek of the East.” Both courses do have a few things in common. First, both were designed by Tom Fazio. Second, both courses limit access to the course to those who are staying at their resort casinos. In the case of Fallen Oak, it’s associated with the Beau Rivage which is an MGM property.
Fallen Oak opened in 2007 and continues to get accolades each year. It’s been named the best resort course in the United States. It’s also called the best golf course in all of Mississippi. Architect Tom Fazio created a stately, southern design. The layout winds through woodlands and wetlands near the De Soto National Forest. You wouldn’t know at first look, but a lot of dirt was moved to maximize views throughout the golf course.
Golfers get a a quick sense of the character of the course on the Par-5 first hole. The fairway is wide and contoured to maximize runout for golfers shaping the ball right to left. Longer hitters see the fairway narrow down with bunkers and a creek down the left. Cut off enough and you can take a shot at the green in two. Yet, that green you’re chasing in two is pushed over toward the water and is flanked by a lake left. Short and left, or left are both wet. Bailing out to the right leaves a delicate pitch out of tour caliber rough to a green slopping to the water.
Fallen Oak has a natural peacefulness and beauty that makes it an exciting play and a relaxing day. The day we played, we didn’t see another group on the entire course. In turn, there is a strategic beauty to the design by Fazio. It’s generous off the tee so all golfers get on their way peacefully. Yet, the longer hitters trying to take on more of the course have to navigate deep, contoured bunkers. They will also find fairways subtly pinching down. The rough is Bermuda and was deep enough to be quite an issue the day we played. I used the term tour caliber rough earlier as errant shots sink down to the ground and are surrounded by rough. Getting a clean club face on the ball in the rough was near impossible.
Fallen Oak isn’t just another stellar golf resort destination. It has a secret ingredient. It has a stellar staff and facility. From the second you arrive at the bag drop, you know you’ve arrived at a course that puts an emphasis on service. I’d describe it as a private club experience but friendlier. Southern hospitality exudes from the staff and wraps itself around a stellar golf layout.
If you go, make sure to make time before or after your round to enjoy the bar and restaurant facilities. The area has spectactular 30 foot high ceilings and massive glass windows overlooking the 18th hole. The 18th was my favorite hole on the course. Not because I played it well, but because it’s a beautiful, long par-4. Golfers are greeted with lots of room off the tee. Then golfers get to play back down to a green with water in front and left and the clubhouse behind.
