Super Bowl fans touching down in Atlanta will have plenty of options in terms of entertainment. Fans in town for the NFL finale looking for some golf will have plenty of options, too. While some of the best-known courses in northern Georgia are private, many more options are available. Listed below are some that we think you might enjoy.
ATLANTA PUBLIC GOLF
STONE MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB, Stone Mountain, Ga. — (dynamic pricing, $25-$47)
Want views? And deals? Stone Mountain is your spot. Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed the Stonemont Course, which demands accuracy and course management while staring out at Georgia’s most famous natural landmark. The Georgia pines and narrow fairways will keep your attention, though.
The Lakemont Course offers a slightly more forgiving alternative with plenty of money lakeside views. And if you’ve got energy left for a post-round hike, you can trot up Stone Mountain itself and check out the view of the golf course for good measure.
ECHELON GOLF CLUB, Alpharetta, Ga. ($49-$69)
Rees Jones designed Echelon as a private club 45 minutes north of Atlanta, but his timing was slightly off — the 2006 opening coincided with a number of factors working against the success of private golf course residential development. As such, Echelon offers plenty of tee times to the public. The meandering layout makes its way through a 600-acre expanse, and offers a solid showcase of hilly northern Georgia with panoramic views and top-tier conditioning.
BEAR’S BEST ATLANTA, Suwanee, Ga. ($49-$59)
If you have no objection to replica-style courses, this could be your spot. Jack Nicklaus plays all his hits here, collecting his favorite holes from his nearly 300 worldwide designs in one spot. Head from Castle Pines to Muirfield Village all without going more than an hour from Atlanta — that’s a good day at the course.
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THE FROG GOLF CLUB, Villa Rica, Ga. ($38-$62)
Though 40 miles west of the city on I-20, The Frog makes itself worth the trip. You get solid value and plenty of fun golf for your mid-range greens fees. Tom Fazio has created a playable course with wide fairways that beckon the big-bomber to swing away. Best of all, The Frog is an Audobon Sanctuary, which provides the northwest Georgia countryside vibe you’re sure to enjoy.
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CHATEAU ELAN WINERY & RESORT, Braselton, Ga. (rates begin at $41 and vary)
Georgia’s largest winery serves as a fantastic backdrop for 45 holes of public-access golf (plus 18 holes that remain private). The Chateau Course offers a scenic but challenging test, with water creeping into play on more than half the course’s holes. The Woodlands Course and a nine-hole par-3 course provide plenty of options for any player’s desires — plus the winery, of course.
COBBLESTONE GOLF COURSE, Acworth, Ga. ($39-$67 with major discounts for residents)
Built on the banks of Lake Acworth, some 30 miles from downtown, Cobblestone Golf Course is owned by Cobb County and showcases what an elite-level muni can look like. Among the best public golf vibes you’ll find in the area.
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CHEROKEE RUN GOLF CLUB, Conyers, Ga. ($24-$34)
This Arnold Palmer design, some 30 miles from downtown Atlanta, is owned by the city of Conyers and located within the Georgia International Horse Park. Expect to find well-conditioned Bermuda greens combine with zoysia fairways for a pleasant playing surface, but it won’t be easy. Cherokee Run is known as a stern test of golf, but provides some of the best bang for your buck in greater Atlanta.
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BOBBY JONES GOLF COURSE, Atlanta, Ga. (Dynamic pricing, $33-$78)
The crown jewel of Atlanta’s city-owned courses, Bobby Jones offers a groundbreaking reversible design that can be played either direction — the Magnolia Course or the Azalea Course. This place was designed with every level of golf in mind, with eight teeing options on each hole to encourage all players a chance to hit the greens in regulation. Top-notch practice facilities and a six-hole short course for the youngsters round out a comprehensive redesign. Bobby Jones operates with dynamic pricing, so keep your eye out for the best tee time deal.
BARGAIN PLAYS ($20 and under)
You can find Atlanta’s municipal network of courses here. Below are a selection of some favorite budget plays.
College Park Golf Course ($10)
Nine holes, no tee times needed, and tee times that can stick in the single digits? College Park is less than a mile from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and might be just what you need right before (or after) a plane ride.
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CANDLER PARK GOLF COURSE ($9-$13)
This par-31 layout has plenty of history. The course opened in 1927 and was donated to the city of Atlanta by Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler. Just two holes exceed 300 yards, which means a speedy pace of play at this walking-only layout.
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CHARLIE YATES GOLF COURSE ($20-$25)
Rees Jones designed this par-30 track in the heart of the East Lake community. The location can’t be beat, as it’s just four miles from downtown, and Bermuda fairways and bent grass greens provide a great playing surface.
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BROWNS MILL GOLF COURSE ($20-29)
Browns Mill tips out at over 6,500 yards, providing a more complete test for Atlanta bargain-hunters. Plus, there’s the location: Browns Mill is close to the airport as well as downtown Atlanta.
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