Three of Atlanta’s best courses to play if you’re in town for the TOUR Championship

Courses

James Richardson
August 28, 2024

The TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta is the climax of the 2024 PGA Tour schedule.

As the pros battle it out for the mighty $25million FedExCup jackpot, golfers of every level will enjoy watching the action on the famed Georgia venue.

But what if you’re in Atlanta and fancy teeing it up yourself?

Here we look at three of the best public courses in Atlanta.

Echelon Golf Club

The Rees Jones-designed course in Alpharetta, located 40 minutes from the city centre, has been on an upward trend for years with its superb layout. Although semi-private, public play is permitted and is sure to provide an enjoyable experience for daily fee players.

Echelon is one of the best golfing experiences in the Atlanta region, with dramatic elevation changes and breathtaking vistas of the surrounding 600-acre property.

It is an essential must-play for any Atlanta golf bucket list.

What they say
Echelon Golf Club’s accolades continue to rise, not only within the Alpharetta and Atlanta areas, but nationally as well. Golf Magazine now rates Echelon the 11th best course of the more than 400 golf courses in Georgia.

“Echelon is a broad-shouldered, beautiful and formidable test designed by famed golf course architect Rees Jones. The course wanders over 600-acres of rolling hills, providing striking elevation changes and panoramic views, most notably on the back nine. Our semi-private course also features a 32-acre practice and training facility that is also one of the finest in the state,” the club website proclaims.

Chateau Elan Golf Club

Chateu Elan, located 45 minutes from the city centre in Braselton, is a magnificent resort set on a vineyard that is ideal for a weekend retreat or a sneaky round of golf on an extensive and impressive parcel of land.

With two 18-hole courses and 45 holes in total, it’s easy to immerse yourself in the course playing them all in one weekend or short vacation. Chateau Elan is a favourite among Atlanta’s finest public golf courses in large part because the personnel are exceptional and they are dedicated to giving players a first-class experience. If you’re simply out for the day, the 18-hole Chateau Course is a favourite, with several recent modifications to enhance an already excellent experience.

What they say
On the Chateau Course website, they proclaim: “This beautiful 7,030 yard, par 71 with contoured fairways, three lakes, and two meandering streams, opened in July of 1989. Designed by renowned course architect Denis Griffiths, this championship layout was instantly recognized as one of the top courses in Georgia. Water comes into play on ten of the 18 holes while 87 bunkers lend challenge and character to the lush Bermuda fairways and bentgrass greens.”

Stone Mountain Golf Club

Stone Mountain, a public golf course built by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and located 30 minutes from Atlanta, includes onsite lodgings as well as recent upgrades, making it a standout option for all types of golfers.

Stone Mountain has terrific prices and tremendous value, but be sure to account for the $20 parking charge for your next round. Both courses are excellent but if you have the option, the Stonemount Course is slightly superior.

What they say
“Engulfed by the pristine beauty of Georgia nature, Stone Mountain Golf Club has become one of the premier golf experiences in the Atlanta area. Located just 30 minutes from downtown, our golf club sits at the foothills of Stone Mountain, and meanders around Stone Mountain Lake.

“What makes Stone Mountain Golf Club such a remarkable experience is the unique personalities of its two courses. The Stonemont Course is a classic challenge that places emphasis on accuracy and strategic course management. The Lakemont Course complements Stonemont with a less demanding, target-oriented layout and exquisite views of Stone Mountain and the surrounding lake.”