5 Really good public Courses within 2 hours of Atlanta

[dklock2]

Could someone recommend 5 really good public courses within 2 hours of Atlanta GA? I will be there the first weekend in May and would like some really good courses to play.

Thanks,

David

[keads]

Was a member out at Cherokee Run (Arnold Palmer course) in Conyers while I lived down there. It's a must play in my opinion. Conditions are always top notch and the course is a killer challenge. 30 minutes from downtown.

[SixSixGolf]

Close to Atlanta:

Echelon

The Frog

Cherokee Run

 

Within 2 hours:

2 Grand National RTJ courses in Opelika, AL

[abergervt]

Think brickyard in Macon is still public or semi private

[GolfWithdrawals]

That I've played, in no particular order: Legacy on Lanier, Echelon, Cobblestone, Bridgemill, The Frog, RTJ Grand National. Heard good things about Cherokee Run, Governors Towne Club, Barnsley Gardens.

[hollabachgt]

2 hours? you could probably get to Sweetens Cove in 2 hours.

 

ATL public golf is fairly middle of the road. If you have any private connections you'd be better off chasing those leads.

[dukeman]

Barnsley Gardens, Chateau Elan, RTJ Trail Opelika (Might be more than two hours, depending on where you’re staying in Atlanta), any of the courses at Reynolds Plantation, Cuscawilla

[GTgolf]

Tier 1: Reynolds, achasta, echelon, Barnsley

 

Tier 2: bridgemill, frog, legacy on Lanier, bears best

 

Tier 3: Bradshaw, cobblestone, wolf creek, Cherokee run

 

2&3 are debatable. Tier 1 might as well be private conditions.

[umassgolfer]

Agree on Barnsley. A bit of a hike from ATL depending where in the city you're staying. But I really enjoyed my round. And if your accommodations are flexible, it is a really cool, laid back resort with cottages and a bunch of other outdoors-y activities. Might be worth staying a night there.

[Jarlaxle]

IMO it's a bit of a stretch to put the Reynolds Plantation courses in this discussion but if you do, they go to the top of the list.

 

Otherwise, here are my top 5:

1) Governor's Towne Club - Curtis Strange design, was supposed to be a very high dollar private facility but hit some tougher times, currently my favorite course that is reasonably close to me.

2) Bear's Best - A greatest holes by Jack Nicklaus collection, haven't played it in a long time as its farther away from me but definitely a high quality course/experience

3) Echelon - A brute of a course, well maintained but bring your A game and your patience as 5 hour rounds are the norm there in my experience (if you are playing on a weekend)

4) Barnsley Gardens - Has already been covered, very laid back course, nice to get up in the hills for some fresh air

5) Woodmont - Definitely not as good as the others but still a fun/enjoyable course. Back 9 is 3 par 3s, 3 par 4s and 3 par 5s.

 

I noticed a few others mentioned The Frog. It used to be right at the top of my list but I played it recently for the first time in a few years and was aghast at how far they have let that course fall. Really a shame as it is a great Fazio layout that at one point was a 4.5 star course.

[crazy8golfer]

1. The Georgia Club

2. UGA Golf Course

3. Echelon

4. Barnsley Gardens

5. The Frog

[Browns71213]

Barnsley Gardens, Chateau Elan, RTJ Trail Opelika (Might be more than two hours, depending on where you're staying in Atlanta), any of the courses at Reynolds Plantation, Cuscawilla

 

All of these plus Echelon. I believe Cuscowilla is now totally private.

[Air Jordan]

The Georgia Club for sure. They have 27 holes there.

 

Echelon is a wonderful course and very challenging.

 

I'd throw in Brasstown Valley as well. Haven't played it in a couple of years, but it has always been in great shape when I've played it and it's hard to beat the views.

 

Achasta is great - a Jack Nicklaus Signature course.

 

Can't go wrong with Reynolds Plantation.

[AUTIGER07]

As of others have said:

 

Georgia Club

UGA

Echelon

Arrowhead Pointe

Achasta

Reynolds

RTJ Grand National

[Downtown_Brown_41]

Think brickyard in Macon is still public or semi private

 

I believe so too and the greens are at about 13-13.5 right now. Fun course

[CHuntsman]

Echelon, Bears Best, Achasta, The Frog, Reynolds Plantation. Echelon is hands down my favorite track in the surrounding area. Don't wast your money/time at Chateau Elan. Just my 2 cents.

[T-MAC]

Agree with many of the recommendations listed already. I live in Hilton Head but I have a buddy who lives in Woodmont and it's a fun course that is usually in good condition. We also play Echelon a lot and right down the road from Echelon is a course called The Manor that is also good, but haven't played there in awhile so not sure on condition. I have another buddy in Atlanta that used to work at Eagles Landing. That was also a good track.

[GTgolf]

Agree with many of the recommendations listed already. I live in Hilton Head but I have a buddy who lives in Woodmont and it's a fun course that is usually in good condition. We also play Echelon a lot and right down the road from Echelon is a course called The Manor that is also good, but haven't played there in awhile so not sure on condition. I have another buddy in Atlanta that used to work at Eagles Landing. That was also a good track.

 

Manor and Eagles are private.

 

Manor is one of my favorite courses period, in Atlanta.

[damnorcross]

I'm not a fan of Echelon, wouldn't play it for free. Condition was great, but the back 9 was awful, nothing but hills.

[youraway2]

I'll stick with what I thought you were asking, accessible, reasonable, close, and OK conditions;

 

1. Slightly south of Atlanta, very close to I-75, Cotton Fields, http://www.cottonfieldsgolf.com/

 

2. Mystery Valley, Dick Wilson design, tough course; https://www.mysteryvalley.com/

 

I found Cotton Woods to be very good and very reasonable, don;t let parking lot, clubhouse, and driving range fool you.

 

Haven't played Mystery Valley in a long time, but was one of my favorites.

[OutBackHack]

Could someone recommend 5 really good public courses within 2 hours of Atlanta GA? I will be there the first weekend in May and would like some really good courses to play.

Thanks,

David

 

There are no "really good" public golf courses in Atlanta... Really.

There are a few really good privates, but you'll need a hook up.