Atlanta Area Clubs, post-COVID update?

[JoshuaR]

Hi All,

 

I recently moved to Atlanta (Buckhead area, work near Lilburn), and I had been scouring through old threads to get opinions on clubs. I'd like to join a club that's both a reasonable distance from either home or work or both, and also "affordable." By that, I mean that I'm not paying any initiation fees in the tens of thousands, and I want to feel like I'm getting some value from monthly fees if I'm playing 1-2x/week. I'm in my early 30s (re: membership pricing tiers). Distance: I care more about commute time from "Home," and I'd probably be heading to play on off-days or weekends so could time traffic, but it sure would be nice to be able to stop by after work to hit some balls in the summer and not be going too far out of my way. It's possible I may move farther east in time, but if so probably somewhere like Chamblee in order to stay near a MARTA for the spouse.

 

My goal for paying for a private club would be easier access to the course and practice facilities at any time, e.g. not having to plan days or weeks in advance, ideally could walk on not long after arrival, quick pace of play, and practice facilities that include a place to hit off of real grass, chip, and putt. I care less about the non-golf social aspects. I'm curious whether clubs are now much busier due to COVID and more working from home, or whether you can still get on easily. I'm also unsure about membership availability post-COVID, as well as how prior recommendations might have changed.

 

From prior reading, it seems like some of the clubs that might be most what I'm looking for include:

 

Berkeley Hills: Good location for me. I've seen many recommendations in other threads.

Rivermont: Good location, many recs, closed to new membership?

The Standard Club: Slightly farther away, but within that half hour (if no traffic) distance. People seemed to like it from other threads. I see they have new ownership? Or new management? But older reviews seemed to quote reasonable rates.

Horseshoe Bend: Seemed that I read prior info that the initiation cost was high.

St. Ives: Don't have much info

CC of Roswell: Not sure if I ever really saw pricing from prior threads.

Indian Hills CC: Not sure on pricing or other info.

 

I'd love to hear thoughts about both the above as well as any other suggestions you might have. Thank you in advance!

 

[golfisprettyfun]

Berkeley Hills may be a great option for you. I believe it’s in Duluth, so probably 20 minutes or so from Lilburn. You’d be in the Junior Executive group (30-39) so I believe it’s initiation of $2500 and dues of $350/month. I’ve heard it’s a great course.

[spinnywedge]

I don't know much about membership at any of the places, but you might want to also take a look at Cherokee Town and CC. It's a great course, and it's in the same area as Roswell CC and Horseshoe Bend. I will add that Berkeley Hills is a fun course to play too.

[jimokane]

Cherokee Town & CC will be north of $100k, might have even been $200k at one time with dues for the year over $10k or $15k. You'll need about 6 sponsors and then sit on a waiting list for a couple of years.

[david.c.w]

What is your budget for initiation and monthly dues?  This will help with any suggestions.

[JoshuaR]

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

David: Ideally initiation less than $10k and monthly under $500. It would depend on the value returned.

[spinnywedge]

On 1/25/2021 at 10:18 AM, jimokane said:

Cherokee Town & CC will be north of $100k, might have even been $200k at one time with dues for the year over $10k or $15k. You'll need about 6 sponsors and then sit on a waiting list for a couple of years.

Wow. Georgia Am tournament is there this year.

[Rick Flair]

If you haven’t experienced Atlanta pre-covid, then you’ve avoided the traffic factor. Who knows when that will get back to 2019 levels, but it will cut in to our post-work golf trips at some point. 
 

Clubs on the east side aren’t as prevalent unless you go out to the Duluth areas. Heritage is nice. I think they are public but has membership options. The Club Corp courses might be worth a look. 
 

Lots of people start out living in Buckhead and move further out for various reasons. Stay somewhat flexible until that longer term living situation gets clearer. 
 

Atlanta has lots of nice clubs. That’s cool about Cherokee hosting the GA Am year.  That’s a course that I’ve always wanted to see with my own eyes. I think they have 2 courses? Anyways....life goals. 
 

Good luck and welcome to Atlanta. 
 

 

[JoshuaR]

Thanks. That's honestly what I'm most afraid of. I keep hearing about the terrible traffic, and so far it's been fine (with COVID), but I know I can't use that as an estimate.

[sgersten19]

Ive been a CC Roswell member for 4+ years so if needed I can answer some questions.

 

I don't really know what they are asking for initiation but should be less than $10k. Monthly dues can be age dependent but I am less than $500/month (age 34).

 

Driving up 400 from buckhead to Roswell during at afternoon rush hour used to be terrible, but they are adding lanes.

[driveandputtmachine]

Check with the clubs, many many are not accepting new members currently.  I have friends at a few clubs on your list and they have all either significantly raised their initiation or have closed membership.

 

indian Hills for instance is closed for new members, and the initiation has gone to 10k, and 1k just to get on the waiting list, and there are 50 people on the waiting list last i heard.  This seems to be going across all of the mid to lower priced clubs in the Atlanta area, even some of the club corp courses I have heard are closed or have significantly raised their initiation because Covid and the people flocking to that level of course. 

[OutBackHack]

Post Covid? They got rid of it in Atlanta? I'm moving back if that's the case.

[GreyDawg]

Herd immunity

[monkeyboy]

IMO, you are in for alot of travel time in a traffic laden area...but it is what it is.

I'd suggest 'closer to home' is worth more over the long run.

 

A hidden gem area = Covington.  It would be East of you, maybe 40 minutes or so.  Ashton Hills and The Oaks are both excellent interesting courses, pretty cheap too.  They never seem to be overcrowded and the atmosphere is a bit more chill than some stuffy places.  Could be worth looking into as an alternative, but they are Public and you may be looking for a bot more exclusivity.

 

[JoshuaR]

On 2/18/2021 at 7:55 AM, OutBackHack said:

Post Covid? They got rid of it in Atlanta? I'm moving back if that's the case.

The opposite, haha. In that COVID keeping people working at home and itching to get outdoors has led to more people golfing.

[driveandputtmachine]

Indian Hills now has 70 people on it's waiting list.  From what I am hearing most of the mid-range and low-range courses in Atlanta are in similar situations.  Some of the more expensive clubs are similar as well.

[Spicoli]

I'm laurel springs (club corp) on the Northside and tee times are a precious commodity these days. Very frustrating since it was not like this before covid.

[gmdeac10]

I would avoid Heritage at all costs. It's mostly public. Since it's the best public course that is close to the perimeter it's always crowded. You can never get a spot on the range and rounds are usually 5+ hours. It's a fun course to play, but definitely not what you want.

[jwil]

Interesting updates on the thread. Thanks for all the intel.  

 

Does anyone have an update on Druid Hills - current waiting listing / under 40 initiation cost?

[rattlergolfer]

Interested in updates to the thread as well.  LQQKs like I will be moving there in a month or so ....

[DawgGolfer21]

9 hours ago, jwil said:

Interesting updates on the thread. Thanks for all the intel.  

 

Does anyone have an update on Druid Hills - current waiting listing / under 40 initiation cost?

 Druid Hills wait list for a golf membership is 2.5 years. $65K initiation for 35-41 but can be spread out. 

 

I heard Cap City stopped accepting applications as their waitlist went beyond 5 years. Most of the other big names have extensive wait lists as well. 

[jwil]

On 6/3/2021 at 12:02 AM, DawgGolfer21 said:

 Druid Hills wait list for a golf membership is 2.5 years. $65K initiation for 35-41 but can be spread out. 

 

I heard Cap City stopped accepting applications as their waitlist went beyond 5 years. Most of the other big names have extensive wait lists as well. 

Thanks for the intel there.  Really appreciate.  Do you know if social membership is available while waiting for golf?  Our pool situation has changed and my wife is on me to find a solution :).

[DawgGolfer21]

10 hours ago, jwil said:

Thanks for the intel there.  Really appreciate.  Do you know if social membership is available while waiting for golf?  Our pool situation has changed and my wife is on me to find a solution :).

 

Yes, you pay the Golf initiation, and then you are Social Awaiting Golf status. You pay the Social monthly dues until a Golf spot opens. Social enables you to make tee times 3 days out, can't play Saturday or Sunday until after 2:30, and pay to play each time you go out. 

 

[jkaiseresq]

I’m a member at St. Ives, we do currently have a waitlist but I don’t think it’s terrible.  I am happy to answer any questions you have, just PM me.

[Chip32]

My understanding is Berkeley is now $7500 initiation for over 40?  I am in the same boat after just moving to Buford - there really isn’t another decent private option out here to my knowledge 

 

Hamilton Mill I understand it recently sold - I don’t believe they have any initiation but are running around $250/ mo