Atlanta-area Courses (Public)

[soloredd]

In addition to Hilton Head, we will also be staying in the Atlanta area for a few days. Any thoughts on courses? Looking on GolfLink, seems there are a ton of private courses but we will need some public offerings. Looking at Crystal Lake CC for one round.

[drglew]

My home town...

Assuming you're staying in town, you'll have to drive out to the 'burbs 30-60 minutes to find good golf--but at least you'd be driving opposite of traffic.

My favorite public courses (I live in the northeast suburbs, so my choices are somewhat based on geography mind you):

1. Bear's Best (Suwanee) - great track, conditions usually are real nice. Even though it's a Nicklaus "greatest hits" course, the holes flow together quite naturally.  Used to have mandatory forecaddies (who were great), but the economy sacked that two years ago.

2. The Manor (Alpharetta) - was private, but now it's now semi-private; still looks/feels very much like the posh country club course.

3. Stone Mountain - best course(s) relatively close to downtown, incredibly scenic, and always a bargain.  Lakemont is more scenic, although I think Stonemont is a better course.  You could even combine some touristy stuff that day if you wanted as the courses are officially inside Stone Mountain Park; taking the gondola (or hiking if you have the time/energy) to the top of the mountain offers really spectacular views.

Also, closer to Athens, the Georgia Club is a real nice layout...with all things Bulldogs themed of course; a few holes remind me of Augusta actually.

Check out specials on Golfnow.com and you definitely shouldn't have to spend that much, esp for rounds on weekdays!

[wolfsburg2]

Echelon in Alpharetta is a Reese jones design. Formerly the Georgia tech club. Supposed to be awesome and tough. It's on my list,L to play soon along with the Manor.

[Double Bogey]

Woodmont in Canton (north burbs) is a great track.  As Mentioned Bears Best is nice, but the best in the Swanee/Johns Creek/Duluth area is St Marlo CC (Semi-Private)

[wolfsburg2]

Woodmont is an RTJ design iirc. They have tee time deals on golf now/idealgolfer etc from time to time. Never played it yet though I want to.