The Inside Swing

Best Golf Courses in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is steeped in golf history. Bobby Jones was born here, East Lake hosts the PGA Tour Championship, and Augusta National — the most famous course on Earth — is just two hours east. The city's red clay hills and tall pine trees provide a classic Southern golf setting.

Our Methodology: Courses are ranked by an expert panel evaluating design quality, conditioning, challenge, aesthetics, and overall experience. Both private and public courses are considered on merit.
1

Atlanta, Georgia · Donald Ross / Rees Jones (1908) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,346 yards

The home of Bobby Jones and host of the PGA Tour Championship, East Lake is hallowed ground in American golf. The historic layout has been meticulously restored and enhanced, serving as the permanent home of the Tour Championship since 2004.

PGA Tour Championship hostBobby Jones' home courseBirthplace of the East Lake Foundation
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.8/5
2

Atlanta, Georgia · Robert Trent Jones Sr. / Rees Jones (1966) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,527 yards

Host of multiple major championships including the 2011 PGA Championship, Atlanta Athletic Club's Highlands Course is one of the Southeast's premier private clubs. The challenging layout through North Georgia pines has tested the game's best players.

Multiple major championship host2011 PGA Championship venuePremier Southeast private club
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.7/5
3
TPC Sugarloaf semi-private

Atlanta, Georgia · Greg Norman (1999) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,259 yards

A Greg Norman Signature design in Duluth, TPC Sugarloaf offers accessible championship golf in Metro Atlanta. The rolling terrain and mature hardwoods create a peaceful setting for this former PGA Tour venue.

Greg Norman Signature designFormer PGA Tour venueAccessible championship golf
Green Fee: $80–$150 Rating: 4.4/5
4

Atlanta, Georgia · Rees Jones (2005) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,379 yards

One of Atlanta's newest premier private clubs, Echelon offers a Rees Jones design set on 340 acres of rolling North Georgia terrain. The course features dramatic elevation changes uncommon in Metro Atlanta and pristine conditioning.

Dramatic elevation changesRees Jones design on 340 acresPremier new-generation Atlanta club
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.6/5
5

Atlanta, Georgia · Bob Cupp (redesign) (1932) · 9 holes · Par 35 · 3,525 yards

Named for Atlanta's most famous golfer, Bobby Jones GC is a lovingly redesigned 9-hole course and practice facility in Buckhead. The intimate layout offers a welcoming, walkable experience in the heart of the city.

Named for Bobby JonesHeart of Buckhead locationWalkable 9-hole design
Green Fee: $25–$55 Rating: 4/5
6

Atlanta, Georgia · Robert Trent Jones Sr. & Bobby Jones (1948) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,043 yards

Co-designed by Bobby Jones and Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1948, Peachtree is one of Atlanta's most prestigious private clubs and a shrine to the legacy of its co-founder. The rolling, tree-lined layout in Buckhead features bold bunkering and large, contoured greens.

Co-designed by Bobby JonesOne of Atlanta's most prestigious clubsRobert Trent Jones Sr. collaboration
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.7/5
7

Atlanta, Georgia · Jack Nicklaus (1993) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,094 yards

The suburban jewel of Capital City Club's multi-campus operation, Crabapple is a Jack Nicklaus design in Milton north of Atlanta. The course features rolling north Georgia terrain, strategic creek crossings, and Nicklaus's signature par-3 excellence.

Jack Nicklaus designRolling north Georgia terrainPart of historic Capital City Club
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.4/5
8

Atlanta, Georgia · Bob Cupp (2002) · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,207 yards

A Bob Cupp design in Ball Ground north of Atlanta, Hawks Ridge occupies a stunning 500-acre property in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 7,207-yard layout features dramatic elevation changes through hardwood forest and mountain meadow, with panoramic north Georgia views from several elevated tees.

Bob Cupp design on 500 acres in Blue Ridge foothillsDramatic elevation changes and mountain viewsExclusive north Georgia private club
Green Fee: Members Only Rating: 4.5/5
9

Atlanta, Georgia · Denis Griffiths (1989) · 18 holes · Par 71 · 7,030 yards

Part of the Château Élan Winery & Resort northeast of Atlanta, this Denis Griffiths design pairs north Georgia rolling terrain with a European winery atmosphere. The resort offers three courses total, making it one of the best multi-day golf destinations in the Atlanta area.

Winery resort settingThree courses at one resortRolling north Georgia terrain
Green Fee: $70–$120 Rating: 4.2/5

Public Courses in Atlanta

Looking for courses you can play without a membership? See our complete guide to public courses in Atlanta .

Overview

Metro Atlanta's golf scene is anchored by East Lake's championship pedigree and supported by a deep roster of private clubs and improving public options. The rolling Piedmont terrain creates natural elevation changes, and the region's four distinct seasons (with mild winters) allow near year-round play.

Best Time to Play

March through May and September through November are ideal, with moderate temperatures and the region's famous dogwood and azalea blooms adding color in spring. Summers are hot and humid; winters are mild but occasionally cold.

Travel Tips & Getting There

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the world's busiest airport with nonstop service from virtually everywhere. Golf courses are spread across the metro area — consider the north side (Alpharetta/Duluth) for TPC Sugarloaf or the east side for East Lake.

Nearest Airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you play East Lake Golf Club?
East Lake is a private club and not open to the public. However, you can experience the grounds during the PGA Tour Championship each September.
Is Augusta National near Atlanta?
Augusta National is approximately 2 hours east of Atlanta. It is extremely private and only accessible during the Masters Tournament or by member invitation.

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