One round in the ATL on 3/23. Golf Club of Georgia? Or elsewhere?

jschwarb · February 16, 2018

Me and a friend are traveling to Atlanta for NCAA basketball and are looking to play on Friday, March 23. Price isn't a huge deal (not that it would be peak rate anyway), would like to stay within 50 miles of the city limits. What are your must-plays?

I'm long out of the loop when it comes to ATL golf, though I grew up there in the 80s/early-mid 90s and caddied at Golf Club of Georgia. Haven't been back since, is it still quite private or is there a way to get on now?

Spicoli · February 17, 2018

It's private.

From where you will be (in town), try the frog.

If you want to stretch the distance to 100mi, rtj grand national.

Bushwood Country Club · February 17, 2018

Wolf Creek is a viable option near the airport.

lincolnduff · February 18, 2018

Wolf creek is solid. Also check out Barnsley Gardens. About 40 miles north of town. Really great track that gets little play. Plus your green fee is good all day.

etarv13 · February 18, 2018

Barnesley is really nice but it is a LONG DRIVE from downtown. If you drive that far you might as well drive to Bear's Best. If you dont mind more of a drive I suggest going to Lake Oconee and playing any of their courses.

GTgolf · February 18, 2018

That's prime aerification time.

Bent greens will most likely be torched, and in terrible condition.

Gotta find a Bermuda facility. Problem is, most of the good public golf is bent.

Bent greens: frog, wolf, echelon, river pines, heritage, bears best, bridgemill. Those are the best.

That only leaves you with a few options, that require driving further or downgrading conditions.

I would play Bradshaw farms. Actually a really nice course. They have 27 holes. Play the original 18.

jschwarb · February 19, 2018

Thanks everyone! Just booked a SunTrust ballpark tour on Friday morning so we'll look for something somewhat in the vicinity that afternoon, sounds like Bradshaw, River Pines, Bears Best would be among the considerations. Definitely will ask about greens when booking.

jpthreesticks · February 19, 2018

On that side of town, check out Cobblestone as well. They are Bermuda greens and usually in pretty good shape. Bradshaw Farms are Bermuda as well, and they are usually in pretty solid shape as well.

GTgolf · February 20, 2018

Thanks everyone! Just booked a SunTrust ballpark tour on Friday morning so we'll look for something somewhat in the vicinity that afternoon, sounds like Bradshaw, River Pines, Bears Best would be among the considerations. Definitely will ask about greens when booking.

Cobblestone or Bradshaw.

If calling a bent facility, ask the exact date they punched. 3-4 weeks to heal.

I've been duped before by a golf shop employee "the greens are in good shape And healed up" only to get there and they suck.

jschwarb · February 20, 2018

Thanks everyone! Just booked a SunTrust ballpark tour on Friday morning so we'll look for something somewhat in the vicinity that afternoon, sounds like Bradshaw, River Pines, Bears Best would be among the considerations. Definitely will ask about greens when booking.

Cobblestone or Bradshaw.

If calling a bent facility, ask the exact date they punched. 3-4 weeks to heal.

I've been duped before by a golf shop employee "the greens are in good shape And healed up" only to get there and they suck.

That's such bad form. And a pretty short-sighted way to run your business.

awestmo · February 20, 2018

Thanks everyone! Just booked a SunTrust ballpark tour on Friday morning so we'll look for something somewhat in the vicinity that afternoon, sounds like Bradshaw, River Pines, Bears Best would be among the considerations. Definitely will ask about greens when booking.

Cobblestone or Bradshaw.

Would add Echelon to the mix. Echelon and Cobblestone are two of the harder courses in N. Ga.

jloveless · February 20, 2018

Thanks everyone! Just booked a SunTrust ballpark tour on Friday morning so we'll look for something somewhat in the vicinity that afternoon, sounds like Bradshaw, River Pines, Bears Best would be among the considerations. Definitely will ask about greens when booking.

Cobblestone or Bradshaw.

Would add Echelon to the mix. Echelon and Cobblestone are two of the harder courses in N. Ga.

Highly recommend Echelon, very challenging course. Call the clubhouse to check on aeration schedule.

GTgolf · February 21, 2018

Echelon is probably the best public course in Atlanta.

Also rated #1 or #2 most difficult by USGA from back tees (~7600).

If punch dates work out, that's the course to play.

jschwarb · March 26, 2018

Postscript ...

So, I had a tee time at Echelon but was sniffing around a couple days before the trip and saw some rough reviews on GolfNow from folks who had just played there and said the greens were bad post-punching (I knew they punched around March 1). I took their word, canceled the time and booked Bradshaw Farms. Solid place. Range was a little shaky but course was enjoyable and the greens were quite good for late March. Knew the Bermuda was dormant and that didn't bother me.

Anyway, thanks all for the advice.

GTgolf · March 28, 2018

Postscript ...

So, I had a tee time at Echelon but was sniffing around a couple days before the trip and saw some rough reviews on GolfNow from folks who had just played there and said the greens were bad post-punching (I knew they punched around March 1). I took their word, canceled the time and booked Bradshaw Farms. Solid place. Range was a little shaky but course was enjoyable and the greens were quite good for late March. Knew the Bermuda was dormant and that didn't bother me.

Anyway, thanks all for the advice.

Bradshaw is always solid.

Bent greens are taking a long time to recover right now. Little to no sun, temps are still cold, etc.