Georgia’s Lanier Islands Resort is entering a new era of golf. As the lakeside destination prepares to unveil a reimagined Golf Clubhouse and debut The Six, Georgia’s only night-lit, Par 3 course, the resort is introducing new brand identities for both its Legacy Golf Course and its newest golf experience. The thoughtfully crafted branding reflects the continued evolution of golf at Lanier Islands Resort as it expands its offerings this Spring to enhance the guest experience both on and off the course.
According to Lanier Islands Resort President Matthew Bowling, the new branding signals the significant investment in transforming golf at the resort. Between the introduction of The Six, the renovation of the clubhouse, and continued enhancements across the property, Bowling felt the moment called for a visual identity that better projects where the resort is headed. “With everything we’re investing into the future of the game, we felt the time was right,” said Bowling. “We’re changing the face of golf at Lanier Islands Resort as we know it.”
To bring this vision to life, Lanier Islands Resort partnered with Seth McWhorter of McWhorter Creative, a respected designer whose work has influenced some of golf’s most recognizable brands and destinations. A lifelong golfer and world-class graphic designer, McWhorter has collaborated with organizations such as Pinehurst Resort, Cabot Resorts, Streamsong Resort, The Tree Farm, the Georgia State Golf Association, the Western Golf Association, Golf Magazine, and the University of Georgia.
Having played at Lanier Islands Resort as a junior golfer, McWhorter was impressed by the transformation taking place across the property during a branding site tour. During his visit, he was immediately struck by the natural beauty of the location and easily found inspiration for the refreshed Legacy Golf Course logo.
“The first challenge with any identity is understanding what story you’re trying to tell,” said McWhorter. “In this case, the hero of the Legacy course is the lake itself, so it became a fun exercise to capture the beauty of that natural setting. While on our site visit, I had a mental image of one of those majestic, tall, slender pines sitting on a small island in the middle of the lake. As often happens, that initial idea carried through the entire process and manifested itself in the final design.”
While the Legacy Golf identity mirrors the scenic backdrop and elevated atmosphere of the Resort’s championship 18-hole course, the branding for The Six was designed to capture a different feeling. In crafting the identity for The Six, McWhorter shared that one word was consistently in the back of his mind: fun. As he developed an understanding of how the facility is meant to be experienced, his main takeaway was that the branding needed to convey a combined spirit of welcome, approachability, and adventure. The typography for The Six logo is intentionally playful, while the crescent moon that dots the “i” reflects the course’s signature feature, night golf, creating an exciting experience for both serious golfers and novices alike.
For Bowling, the new branding represents more than a design refresh; it reflects the resort’s enhanced golf experience. “Very soon, golfers from across the Southeast and around the country will be able to spend an entire day immersed in golf at Lanier Islands Resort—playing 18 challenging holes on our lakeside course, enjoying our Game Changer golf simulators in the evening, and finishing the night under the lights on our new Par 3 course.”
Since opening in 2009, the Billy Fuller-designed Legacy Golf Course has received rave reviews and built a loyal following among golfers across the Southeast, with 14 holes offering awe-inspiring views of Lake Lanier. Deemed the “Pebble Beach of the South,” by Links Magazine, the course has earned numerous accolades over the years, including recognitions as one of the 10 Best Lakeside Golf Courses in America by Men’s Journal, Best Round of Golf in Atlanta by The Atlantan magazine, and – most recently – a sweet #7 spot on GolfPass’s 2026 list of Top 25 Public Courses in Georgia. The much-anticipated opening of The Six is slated for late March, and the completely reimagined Legacy Golf Course clubhouse is set to open in May 2026.
To book a tee time on the 18-hole Legacy Golf Course, golfers of all skill levels are encouraged to visit https://www.lanierislands.com/golf. They can also visit https://www.lanierislands.com/golf/legacy-golf-renovations/ to learn more about the “New Era of Golf” at Lanier Islands Resort – including its clubhouse renovations and upcoming opening of The Six Par 3 course. Visit https://www.mcwhortercreative.com/ for more information about McWhorter Creative and its capabilities, which extend beyond the golf industry.
