Young Professional Membership- ATL

[Ghuebs]

I’m looking currently looking at young professional memberships in the metro Atlanta area, and wanted to get some additional feedback. 
 

Goal is to find a club and then a home in the area. I’m a scratch golfer, played in college. So a great course with great conditioning is important. My favorite course that I’ve played in here has been Capital City Club - Crabapple, but sadly I don’t have the connections to really look at a membership. 
 

I’ve been really looking at Hawks Ridge, and haven’t seen much feedback on here about the club. It’s been a top 10 course in Georgia for awhile. I love how they have only a 290 member cap with no tee times. So the course is literally never busy, which seems like a huge plus. Love the idea of seeming like I have the course to myself on most days and being able play without having to wait on every hole. Not in love with Bob Cupp design though. (Hate bent greens here in the south with a passion. They should almost all be Bermuda)

Has anyone played the course before or have any feedback on Hawks Ridge? 

[Octopus Golfer]

Hawks Ridge is a great course, although not my favorite in Atlanta. One thing to consider if you are looking to live near your course is that Hawks Ridge is 45 miles away from the center of Atlanta. If you’re not working out there, it’s probably not a great idea to live out there. Also, it’s probably not the best spot for a young adult. You should consider Atlanta Athletic Club (pretty easy to get in, although there is a waiting list now) and Ansley. Ansley’s Settingdown course is incredible. Although it is also pretty far from Atlanta proper, Ansley has an intown club with a fun 9-hole course. 
 

 

[driveandputtmachine]

12 hours ago, Octopus Golfer said:

Hawks Ridge is a great course, although not my favorite in Atlanta. One thing to consider if you are looking to live near your course is that Hawks Ridge is 45 miles away from the center of Atlanta. If you’re not working out there, it’s probably not a great idea to live out there. Also, it’s probably not the best spot for a young adult. You should consider Atlanta Athletic Club (pretty easy to get in, although there is a waiting list now) and Ansley. Ansley’s Settingdown course is incredible. Although it is also pretty far from Atlanta proper, Ansley has an intown club with a fun 9-hole course. 
 

 

Everyone has a waiting list currently(well just about everyone).

AAC is way too far from where I live and never even entertained it.

Ansley has two memberships, Settindown only and both courses.  Both courses, I am not sure if they even allow young professionals to join or get on the waiting list currently.  The full membership initiation is over 100k now.  The in town course is OK, but very tight.  The Settindown course is 10 times better, and the practice facility is amazing.  Adult initiation was 15k when I looked a few years ago, but probably over 20 for Settindown now.  Young professional will be quite a bit below that.

 

As a good player one place to look is Pinetree, near Kennesaw State and Marietta.  As a scratch you will be the 30th best player at that club, well maybe not that far down, but there were 15-20 + handicaps out there a few years ago.  When I left due to a move, I was a +1 ish and there were no less than 12 handicaps lower than mine.  At one time there were a couple of plus 4's and four or five +3's out there, it is ridiculous.  They have a few former Georgia Amateur of the year members, a bunch of former college players, and numerous folks who have won Georgia Amateur events in the last 15 years.  If you are looking to play with good players or just great members it is a great course.  PLus the course has probably the best and fastest greens of any course around.  They consistently roll 11-12 all summer, and they take them up to ludicrous speed for major club events and State of Georgia events(there's almost always at least one event there).

[klm79]

Ansley is a 4 year Wait right now...I know because I'm on the list lol. And my recs weren't too bad ! 

[Octopus Golfer]

17 hours ago, klm79 said:

Ansley is a 4 year Wait right now...I know because I'm on the list lol. And my recs weren't too bad ! 

But you can play Settindown immediately and access the Midtown clubhouse and pool. You just won’t be able to play the midtown course or use the driving range for a few years. 

Edited February 1, 2022 by Octopus Golfer

[david.c.w]

On 1/29/2022 at 11:19 PM, Ghuebs said:

I’m looking currently looking at young professional memberships in the metro Atlanta area, and wanted to get some additional feedback. 
 

Goal is to find a club and then a home in the area. I’m a scratch golfer, played in college. So a great course with great conditioning is important. My favorite course that I’ve played in here has been Capital City Club - Crabapple, but sadly I don’t have the connections to really look at a membership. 
 

I’ve been really looking at Hawks Ridge, and haven’t seen much feedback on here about the club. It’s been a top 10 course in Georgia for awhile. I love how they have only a 290 member cap with no tee times. So the course is literally never busy, which seems like a huge plus. Love the idea of seeming like I have the course to myself on most days and being able play without having to wait on every hole. Not in love with Bob Cupp design though. (Hate bent greens here in the south with a passion. They should almost all be Bermuda)

Has anyone played the course before or have any feedback on Hawks Ridge? 

 

How old, what is your budget, and where do you want to live?  This will help.

 

I don't know much about the clubs up the northwest side (anything past Indian Hills).  @driveandputtmachine knows all about that area.  Other than that you really need to go FAR if you want no waiting list.  We are at 5+ years right now.  Yes, 5+ years.  It is insane.  Nobody is leaving, and waitlist folks are getting bumped by the intermediates aging out and returning non-resident.  Sadly it is only people dying or moving away for retirement that is freeing up  a spot.

 

I know people WITH connections that cant get into Cap CIty right now.  They keep getting passed over by "more important" people. 

 

Hawks Ridge is cool.  Hawks Ridge is far.  If you are moving here you really need to weigh golf availability and where to live.  It is a fact in Atlanta. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lmcconnell]

I've played some nice tracks in Atlanta, and I think, for the value, Golf Club of Georgia in Alpha can't be passed up. Two championship tracks and the last time I requested membership info it was very reasonable ($10-$20k)and has open reciprocals at Horseshoe Bend. During peak Covid the local pros were playing money games there, and they hold many college events.

[EWoot10]

On 2/24/2022 at 2:21 PM, lmcconnell said:

I've played some nice tracks in Atlanta, and I think, for the value, Golf Club of Georgia in Alpha can't be passed up. Two championship tracks and the last time I requested membership info it was very reasonable ($10-$20k)and has open reciprocals at Horseshoe Bend. During peak Covid the local pros were playing money games there, and they hold many college events.

Seconded.  

[Tyrus Webb]

On 2/1/2022 at 12:20 PM, Octopus Golfer said:

But you can play Settindown immediately and access the Midtown clubhouse and pool. You just won’t be able to play the midtown course or use the driving range for a few years. 

 

This may have been the case a few years back, but it's currently 4-5 years for the level of membership you've described and another 18-24 months after that for Midtown golf access.

[me05501]

A friend of mine just rejoined Rivermont. When he got on the waiting list they estimated 8-9 months but in reality his wait was less than half that long.