The Legend of Bagger Vance Filming Locations to Visit

The 2000 film The Legend of Bagger Vance told of struggling soldier turned golfer Rannulph Junuh who meets a caddy with what seems like special powers named Bagger Vance. Matt Damon stars alongside Will Smith, Charlize Theron, and Jack Lemmon.

Based on the book of the same name, it is set in 1930s Georgia. Areas of coastal Georgia and South Carolina were used in the filming of the movie including Savannah, Jekyll Island, Bluffton, Charleston, Hilton Head Island, and Kiawah Island.

Sciway and Southern Outdoor Cinema have additional locations.

The Legend of Bagger Vance Filming Locations

South Carolina

Brookland Plantation, Edisto Island

Located on Edisto Island, Brookland Plantation was an indigo and cotton plantation built in 1803. Robert Mills was the architect, who also designed the Washington Monument and other buildings in Charleston. In the movie, it served as the home of Matt Damon’s character.

As of 2006, it was owned by disgraced politician and reality television personality Thomas Ravenel. As of 2021, the house was sold for $3 million dollars. At this time, it’s unsure of the status. Remember that trespassing is against the law and not encouraged by this website.

Colleton River Plantation, Bluffton

Colleton River Plantation, in Bluffton near Hilton Head Island, encompasses the Colleton River Club, a private golf and residential community. The Pete Dye Course was one of many golf courses used in the filming of The Legend of Bagger Vance.

The club is open to members and their guests. Inside they have two clubhouse restaurants and two additional casual cafes.

Ocean Course, Kiawah Island

Set on one of Charleston’s barrier islands, Kiawah Island was developed as a golf club in the 1970s by the Sea Pines Company, also behind Hilton Head Island. Named for the Native American tribe that originally inhabited it, Kiawah Island’s first course was Cougar Point.

They have since expanded into six more and added rental homes, hotels, and restaurants that are open to guests. They also have hosted PGA championships and other tournaments.

The Legend of Bagger Vance used the Ocean, Cougar Point, and Turtle Point golf courses for filming. According to Sciway, a now hidden and unmarked par 5 hole was reportedly built on Kiawah exclusively for the film. Jack Lemmon’s heart attack scene took place at the 11th hole at Cougar Point.

Georgia

City Market, Savannah

Savannah‘s Historic District was also transformed for The Legend of Bagger Vance. The Lucas Theatre, West Congress Street, the Federal Building, and City Hall were all used for shooting.

The City Market was also used, including turning the parking garage into a 1930s hardware store. The home of Adele, played by Charlize Theron, was at 26 E. Gaston Street near Forsyth Park.

Jekyll Island Club Resort, Jekyll Island

The Jekyll Island Club was established in 1888 as a Gilded Age for rich families like the Rockefellers. It was a private club that hosted the meeting to organize the Federal Reserve Bank.

But it fell into disrepair following the Great Depression and shuttered for a few years. Today it operates as the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, an award-winning property with rooms, cottages, and dining.

The Legend of Bagger Vance used much of the property including the front lawn and dining room. The pool was covered and used as a dance floor. A bar was built for production and they kept it afterward, now accessible next to the main bar.

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Looking for a place to stay while visiting The Legend of Bagger Vance filming locations? The Jekyll Island Club Resort and the Andell Inn at Kiawah Island are both near filming locations. Montage Palmetto Bluff is convenient to Bluffton and Andaz Savannah is next to the City Market.