Headin' to ATL - 4-27 - 5-1

[combover]

My lineup so far and questions

Well, myself and two friends are heading out to Atlanta (staying in Buckhead) in late April. There are a ton of courses out there, I have no connections to private courses, so here is what I am looking to line up. Any input is welcome, obviously.

Chateau Elan - Woodlands and Chateau courses
The Frog
Heritage Golf Links
Echelon
Woodmont (recommended because I could fit 36 in driving from Echelon)
Savannah Lakes Golf course (The Tara course, Monticello is booked for Hooters Tourney :))

I don't mind a drive for good golf, and I want to try and fit 36 in a day, so proximity between courses is key. I am looking for challenging courses in beautiful settings. Also, I am not sure that Savannah Lakes is worth a 2 1/2 hour drive. Would I better off staying in Augusta one night and playing Forest Hills?

I am a little concerned that most of these places (Savannah and Elan excluded) don't book this far out, and that I risk not getting a good tee time, but I guess I will just have to be diligent come booking time.

Thanks in advance!

[RolandofGilead]

I've read good things about a course called The General. It appears to be north of Atlanta, Fazio design, reviewers agree the scenery s beautiful. Wish I could have made it up when I was in Atlanta...

http://www.barnsleyresort.com/play/golf/golf.asp

[combover]

[quote name='Roland of Gilead' timestamp='1298949231' post='3014810']
I've read good things about a course called The General. It appears to be north of Atlanta, Fazio design, reviewers agree the scenery s beautiful. Wish I could have made it up when I was in Atlanta...

http://www.barnsleyresort.com/play/golf/golf.asp
[/quote]

Thanks for the tip. From the few pics they show, it does look amazing!

[naws-golfer]

barnsley is nice, especially if youre looking to stay the night. the greens were roughed up this summer, not sure how they are now. fun track, also check out bears best in atlanta!

[generalbolg]

skip over heritage links. its close to the city and has an amazing practice area, but the course is SO gimmicky. They got a little too happy with the bulldozers there. The fairways are just fake undulated to the extreme. Golf there is less about talent and more about dumb luck. I don't mid greens with lots of slope and shelves, that requires precision. But to litter the landing areas on par 5's with moon craters is just uncalled for.

[muxi87]

[quote name='naws-golfer' timestamp='1299005488' post='3016237']
barnsley is nice, especially if youre looking to stay the night. the greens were roughed up this summer, not sure how they are now. fun track, also check out bears best in atlanta!
[/quote]
I didn't play a course last summer that wasn't roughed up...most courses actually closed for a bit or restricted play...many lost their greens.

The General at Barnsley is nice...but a good healthy drive from Atlanta. Considering the price and drive, there are better options.

The Frog is just ok...was much better in the past...it's a decent track, but nothing compared to Bears Best, Reynolds, etc.

[scs1070]

Heritage is right by my office, I have sworn that course off. Crystal Lakes down south of town is a good track. The 18th hole is the only bad hole there.

[FATC1TY]

If your up on the north side, there is plenty of golf, but not alot of "public" golf.

Elan courses aren't bad, but I don't like them at all. Head up the street to Reunion. The course isn't bad, and it's a good value at right around $50 or so. Nice hole lay out.

From there, Echelon is a good solid choice, real long course, nice conditions too.

Bears Best is in that area as well, and it's a must play. I love the lay out, the holes, the whole nine yards really. Carts suck, the fact you have to pay for range balls sucks, but beyond that it's top notch. Be sure to play it from the back, because even a short hitter like me, felt like it wasn't long from the first few holes up 1 tee. It's around $115 a person for 18.

The Frog isn't a bad choice. It's a nice Fazio design. Lots of bunkering, elevation changes to uphill greens. GPS carts, nice pace of play, and course is actually coming in well. Look online for tee time deals. It's IMO, not worth the $80-90 rate. I play it as a member, so I think it's a good value, but beyond that, I don't bring guest out there.

The problem with Atlanta is the spread. Your going to be driving to get ANYWHERE, and 10 miles on the road, is a good 20 minutes in the car at times.

PS. Buckhead sucks, there isn't much to do there anymore.

[Dave Sansom]

I disagree with the two posters about Heritage Golf Links. I really enjoy it, but then I have a touch of a masochistic tendency. It's a very difficult course, and in the past it's had a miserable reputation for service. Then Julius Irving bought it and the service angle turned around a bit but course conditioning suffered. A few months ago, Affinity Golf took over management and service is very good. Plus, they brought back their original superintendent, so though I haven't played the course this winter, I fully expect its conditioning to return to form. It is a touch gimmicky, but that's part of it's charm. Just don't expect to shoot your normal round. It's tough.

 

Are you driving to Atlanta? If so, think about these courses. From the North - Just south of Chattanooga is Canyon Ridge, in Rising Fawn, Georgia (See Pic). They're going thru some changes right now, so they may not be open for public play, but if they are, it's a "Must Play". From the East - An August area course I would recommend is Applewood Golf Course, in Keysville. Fun track. Great folks. From the West - Cider Ridge Golf Club, in Oxford, Alabama, near Anniston. 5 minutes off I-20 and a great Bill Bergin design. From the South - Ironwood Golf Club, in Cordele, GA. This course suffered poor ownership/management in recent years, but they have a new owner who's a pistol and it's a wonderful track. All of these courses are very affordable. For more courses, visit www.hiddenfairways.com.

 

Canyon Ridge, 1st Hole

 

Cider Ridge

[combover]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to hop on Golfnow this evening and start booking.

We aren't driving, so I won't be hitting any courses on the way in. Sad to hear about Buckhead not being where the action is... I guess I will have to see where the evenings take us.

I will be sure to post reviews of the courses once I return, but a few bookings have changed (found a connection );

Wednesday afternoon - Elan is booked for 18
Thursday - Piedmont Driving Club (playing at 8:00, is there somewhere close for another 18?)
Friday - Atlanta Athletic Club - 12:00

Saturday is WIDE open, so I am going to try to book 36.

Hope you folks that are down there are all good... the tornado season has been a big one. See ya next week!

[dannytmc]

As far as Buckhead is concerned, it all depends on what you're looking for. It's still a happening scene depending on what crowd you're looking for. Little 5 Points has a lot of night life and fun, downtown Decatur is a fun area as well. Both of these areas are within 5-7 miles of Buckhead but offer a totally different flavor.

 

As far as courses go, if you're flying into Hartsfield on Wed, the drive to Elan is going to be a bit of a haul. You are basically going to go past Buckhead and then drive close to another hour or so. If you would like a nice 'warm up' course, Wolf Creek is not a bad option - close to the airport. And actually, it's quite close to Piedmont so it could be your Thurs PM round.

 

Friday, you're in for a treat. Try and play from where the big boys are going to play for the PGA. it's a totally different course playing from the "member tees", which basically tops out around 6300.

 

Getting in 36 on Saturday should be no problem as the sun doesn't set til about 8pm.

 

PM if you need any suggestions or a 4th for Piedmont...

[isaacital]

Check out St. Marlo in Atlanta. Public and really nice. www.stmarlo.com ....All those other courses you mentioned are great as well.

[caller]

Savannah Lake course are ok but

Tara: all hilly course

Monticello: my favorite but they had severe green problem last year


FYI

[combover]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions guys!

So, I have everything booked up. Hearing how bad traffic can be, I am forced to miss some that I was hoping to play, but I don't want to be in a rush to get across town.

Wednesday - Chateau Elan Woodlands course - 2:20 Tee Time

Thursday - PDC - 8:40
- Wolf Creek - 2:32 - 20 minute drive tops.

Friday - ATL GC.

Saturday - St Marlo - 8:10A
- Bears Best - 2:40 - 45 Minute drive tops.

Sunday - Chateau Elan - right around 8:00A.

I will be taking picutes and posting some reviews after the trip.
@ Dannytmc - I think we have a 4th for that day.. the guy that's getting us on. Otherwise, I'd be down with it

[FATC1TY]

Good line up. The weather here has been almost perfect, so the conditions of the courses in the area, if they are working on them, are just LUSH.

Everything is filling in right now, perfectly.

Bears Best is a great course, and they keep it in great shape. I played there a few weeks ago, and liked the course pretty well. Junky carts though, and paying for range balls is tacky considering the daily fee they charge.

[dannytmc]

CO, I'd figure the 4th at Piedmont would be the member getting you in...

 

Otherwise, the course line up is pretty good. I would say that if you're going to play Chateau on different days, you might want to double up there on Saturday to minimize drive times and enjoy the facility and look into a replay rate.

 

I would throw Legacy on Lanier in the mix and get St. Marlo out. Lanier is a tough course with perhaps the best scenery and free food and non-alcoholic beverages. I've played St. Marlo about 3-4x this year and the greens are probably ok but will be the least of all the courses mentioned. They lost ALL of the greens last summer. I'm not the biggest fan of the semi-goofy layout and were it not for a friend who works there, I'd not play at all.

 

Good luck!

[scs1070]

Played Bears Best last Sunday. They had punched the greens on the 12th, but they werent that bad of shape. Should be pretty good for you. the course was in great shape.

[FATC1TY]

I would have skipped Elan, and played Reunion down the street. Or since your going that far north past everything, may as well head up to Barnsley Gardens and get hit in the mouth by "The General".

[dannytmc]

I also would have skipped Elan... and definitely Marlo. Think we have messed with the OPs' scheduling enough?

[combover]

Hmm,

Okay, so I have a few phone calls to make Great news about the weather and course conditions. Let me see if I can get things lined up here...

[combover]

[quote name='FATC1TY' timestamp='1303447291' post='3175862']
I would have skipped Elan, and played Reunion down the street. Or since your going that far north past everything, may as well head up to Barnsley Gardens and get hit in the mouth by "The General".
[/quote]


Okay, General is now booked, but for Sunday on my way out. Is there something up that way that isn't private that I could work in for 36 on Saturday? I hate to miss Bears, but BG looks very nice.

Oh, and Lanier is booked solid.

[combover]

Okay, Marlo is out.

I booked Barnsley on Saturday afternoon with a morning time at Woodmont Country Club.

Bears was moved to the getaway day, Sunday.

Thanks again!

[frichissin]

I miss the ATL it had some of the best golf around. Now I'm stuck in golf hell.

North Fulton and Bobby Jones courses are better then most courses in the New Orleans metro

[dannytmc]

@frichissin - if bobby jones and chastain park would be considered good, i'm feeling for you.

combover, nice job!

[scs1070]

I played Wolf Creek yesterday. It was a good layout, I would get back there again. The greens were rolling pretty good.

[FATC1TY]

Be sure to play the general from the back tees. 7350 yards and its a fun track. Lots of elevation. So you'll be thinking about club selection all day long.

I'm not sure of any other courses up that way to be honest.

Sounds like a solid line up, enjoy it all. Your getting a pretty good taste of what the atlanta metro area has to offer for golf.

[nitram]

You said you don't mind driving so I'll ofer you three choices in Athens, about an hour NE of ATL. The Georgia Club, Jennings Mill, and the UGA course, in that order. They're worth the drive.