Atlanta Athletic Club: A Local’s Guide to This Historic Johns Creek Club

The Atlanta Athletic Club (AAC) is one of the most well-known private clubs in the Atlanta metro area, especially if you’re interested in golf, tennis, swimming, fitness, or social events. Although it carries the Atlanta name, the club is located in Johns Creek, a northeastern suburb that many Atlantans treat as part of their extended backyard.

Whether you’re considering membership, attending an event, or just trying to understand what the Atlanta Athletic Club is all about, this guide breaks it down from an Atlanta resident’s perspective.

Where the Atlanta Athletic Club Is and How It Fits Into Metro Atlanta

Location:

  • Address: Atlanta Athletic Club, 1930 Bobby Jones Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30097
  • General Area: North Fulton County, northeast of downtown Atlanta
  • Nearby corridors: Convenient to residents along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Medlock Bridge Road (GA‑141), and the 400/285 corridor via surface streets

For many people living inside the Perimeter (ITP), the AAC is roughly a 30–45+ minute drive, depending on traffic. Atlantans in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Peachtree Corners, and Duluth often find it easier to access, while those in Midtown or Westside should plan extra time during peak rush hours.

If you live, work, or frequently travel in North Fulton or Gwinnett, the AAC can feel like a convenient “home base” for golf and family activities. If you are visiting Atlanta and staying near the Perimeter or north suburbs, it may also be a reasonable drive if you’re invited as a guest.

What the Atlanta Athletic Club Is Known For

The Atlanta Athletic Club is primarily known in the Atlanta area for three things:

  1. Championship golf courses
  2. Robust racquet sports program (tennis and often pickleball)
  3. Full-service private club amenities aimed at families and professionals

It is a member-owned, private club, meaning:

  • Access is restricted to members and their guests
  • Use of golf, pools, dining, and most facilities requires membership or a member invitation
  • It operates as a long-term social, athletic, and networking hub for many Atlanta families

Golf at Atlanta Athletic Club

For many Atlantans, “Atlanta Athletic Club” is nearly synonymous with championship golf.

Courses and Atmosphere

AAC typically offers:

  • Multiple 18-hole championship courses, including layouts that have hosted major professional tournaments
  • Practice facilities, such as:
    • Driving range
    • Short-game areas
    • Putting greens

Golfers in Atlanta often view the AAC as:

  • A serious golf environment with a strong focus on course conditioning
  • A place where both competitive golfers and recreational players can find a fit

Tournaments and Competition

The club is widely associated with:

  • Hosting PGA-level events and other high-profile tournaments
  • Maintaining a competitive men’s and women’s golf culture
  • Supporting junior golf programs, which can be attractive to families raising young golfers in metro Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta and are heavily focused on competitive amateur golf, the AAC is often on the short list of clubs people consider.

Racquet Sports: Tennis and More

The tennis program is another major draw for Atlanta residents.

Tennis Facilities

While specific counts may vary over time, the AAC typically offers:

  • Outdoor hard and/or clay courts
  • Indoor or covered courts (depending on current facilities and season)
  • Opportunities for:
    • Casual play
    • Clinics and lessons
    • Leagues and tournaments

Connection to Atlanta’s Tennis Culture

Greater Atlanta is known for its large and active tennis community, including major leagues like ALTA and USTA. The AAC fits neatly into that culture by offering:

  • Adult leagues and interclub matches
  • Junior programs for children and teens
  • Coaching and training opportunities for competitive players

If tennis is a primary concern when choosing a club, the AAC is well-aligned with the competitive but social tennis scene that thrives in metro Atlanta.

Fitness, Aquatics, and Family Amenities

While golf and tennis often headline, many Atlanta families are drawn to the AAC for its full-club lifestyle.

Fitness and Wellness

You can typically expect:

  • A fitness center with cardio and strength equipment
  • Group exercise spaces for:
    • Yoga
    • Strength and conditioning
    • Other rotating class formats
  • Locker rooms and related amenities

Residents who live in Johns Creek or nearby may use AAC as their primary gym and fitness community, while in-town members might see it more as a weekend destination.

Pools and Aquatics

AAC often features:

  • A main pool complex (commonly used for:
    • Recreational swimming
    • Swim team practices and meets
    • Family activities in the summer)
  • Seasonal poolside dining and social events, especially during warmer months

For Atlanta families looking for a summer “home base” with swimming and kids’ activities, this can be a major factor.

Dining and Social Spaces

You can expect:

  • Multiple dining options, which may range from casual grills to more formal dining rooms
  • Bars or lounges suitable for post-round drinks or socializing
  • Spaces for:
    • Business lunches
    • Family meals
    • Member receptions and club events

For many metro Atlanta members, the AAC serves as both an athletic club and a social club, supporting networking, family gatherings, and year-round traditions.

Membership: What Atlantans Should Know

Because the Atlanta Athletic Club is private, membership is required for most uses beyond limited guest access.

Common Membership Types

While specific offerings can change over time, membership structures often include options such as:

  • Full Golf Membership

    • Access to golf courses, practice areas, club tournaments
    • Access to all general club facilities (dining, fitness, pools, racquet sports)

  • Social / Athletic Membership

    • Limited or no golf privileges, depending on category
    • Access to:
      • Fitness center
      • Pools
      • Tennis and racquet sports
      • Dining and social events

  • Junior or Young Professional Memberships

    • Tailored to members under a certain age
    • Sometimes offer adjusted dues or initiation structures

If you’re an Atlanta resident evaluating clubs, you would typically request current membership categories and pricing directly from the club and compare them with other area clubs in North Fulton, Gwinnett, and inside the Perimeter.

Typical Membership Process

While details can vary, many private clubs in metro Atlanta follow a similar pattern:

  1. Initial inquiry

    • Contact the membership office by phone or through an inquiry form
    • Request information on membership categories, pricing, and waitlists

  2. Tour and meeting

    • Schedule a club tour to see facilities
    • Meet with membership staff and sometimes current members

  3. Application

    • Submit an application form
    • Provide sponsoring members if required (common at established private clubs)

  4. Review and approval

    • Board or membership committee reviews your application
    • You receive notice of acceptance and any next steps

If you are new to Atlanta and don’t know current members, the membership office can usually explain how prospective members without local connections are handled.

Guest Access and Visiting the Club

If you are visiting Atlanta or live locally without a membership, your access to the Atlanta Athletic Club will generally be through a member invitation.

Common Guest Scenarios

  • Playing golf as a guest

    • You must be invited and hosted by a member
    • The member typically:
      • Makes the tee time
      • Accompanies you or arranges for reciprocal privileges
      • May need to register you as a guest at check-in

  • Attending a wedding or event

    • The AAC is a popular venue for private events such as:
      • Weddings
      • Corporate functions
      • Banquets
    • If you’re invited to an event:
      • The host’s arrangements cover your access
      • You’ll generally use the clubhouse and event spaces, not all member facilities

  • Using dining or social areas

    • Again, typically requires being with or sponsored by a member
    • Dress codes and behavior standards usually apply, similar to other private clubs in metro Atlanta

If you are out-of-town and belong to another private club, you can ask your home club if they have reciprocal arrangements with the Atlanta Athletic Club; any such use is handled directly between clubs and the AAC.

Dress Code, Etiquette, and Expectations

Like many established private clubs in the Atlanta area, the AAC maintains standards for dress and behavior.

On the Golf Course

You can usually expect requirements such as:

  • Collared shirts for men and appropriate golf tops for women
  • Golf shorts or pants (no denim on the course)
  • Golf shoes with approved spikes
  • Respect for:
    • Pace of play
    • Course care (fixing ball marks, raking bunkers, etc.)

In the Clubhouse and Dining Areas

Different rooms may have different dress expectations, often including:

  • Resort casual in many dining areas
  • Possible restrictions on:
    • Hats
    • Athletic wear
    • Flip-flops in certain rooms

If you’re invited as a guest, it’s wise to ask your host about the current dress code and follow their lead. Atlanta’s higher-end clubs tend to be friendly but structured about appearance and etiquette.

Getting There from Around Atlanta

Because metro Atlanta is geographically spread out, it helps to plan your route to the AAC based on where you’re starting.

Typical Driving Approaches

  • From Buckhead / Midtown

    • Use GA‑400 north or Peachtree Industrial Boulevard toward Johns Creek
    • Expect heavier traffic during weekday rush hours

  • From Sandy Springs / Dunwoody

    • Options include:
      • GA‑400 to exit toward Haynes Bridge / Old Milton / Peachtree Parkway corridor, then east and north
      • Local routes through Peachtree Corners / Medlock Bridge

  • From Gwinnett (Duluth, Suwanee, Peachtree Corners)

    • Often a relatively short drive via:
      • Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
      • Medlock Bridge Road (GA‑141)

Because the club sits in a suburban residential area, many Atlanta locals recommend extra time for traffic and neighborhood speed limits, especially if you are arriving for a tee time or event.

When the Atlanta Athletic Club Makes Sense for You

For someone in or around Atlanta, the AAC tends to be a good fit if you:

  • Live or plan to move to North Fulton, Johns Creek, or nearby Gwinnett
  • Want serious golf and tennis combined with family-friendly amenities
  • Value an established, traditional private club environment
  • Are looking for a long-term social and athletic community, not just a place to play occasionally

If you live inside the Perimeter and rarely go north, you may want to consider how often you’ll realistically make the drive. Many ITP members use the AAC primarily for weekends, tournaments, and special events rather than everyday workouts.

How to Take the Next Step

If you’re in the Atlanta area and want to explore the Atlanta Athletic Club further, a typical next step is:

  • Contact the club directly and ask for the membership office
  • Request:
    • Current membership categories and requirements
    • Information on initiation fees and dues
    • Details on any waitlists
    • Guidance on a club tour and how guests are introduced

Having this information makes it easier to compare the AAC with other Atlanta-area clubs and decide which one best fits your location, budget, and lifestyle.