Atlanta Polo Club: Your Guide to Polo in and Around Atlanta, GA

If you’ve heard about the Atlanta Polo Club and want to know what it is, how it works, and how you can experience polo in the Atlanta area, this guide walks you through the essentials—from what to expect at a match to how locals get involved in the sport.

What Is the Atlanta Polo Club?

The term “Atlanta Polo Club” is commonly used to refer to organized polo activities and clubs serving the greater Atlanta, Georgia area. While some facilities are located slightly outside city limits (often in more open, rural settings ideal for horse sports), they are considered part of the broader Atlanta polo scene.

In practice, “Atlanta Polo Club” can mean:

• A polo club or organization that hosts matches, practices, and lessons for players
• A membership-based club offering training, tournaments, and horse boarding for polo
• A social and sporting destination where Atlanta residents and visitors can watch matches and attend events

If you live in Atlanta, you’ll usually find that most polo facilities are in surrounding counties with enough open land for full-sized polo fields, but they market themselves as serving the Atlanta community.

Where Polo Fits Into Atlanta’s Sports and Social Scene

Atlanta is widely known for major league teams like the Braves, Falcons, and Hawks, but there is also a niche community centered on equestrian sports, including polo, hunter/jumper, and dressage.

Polo in the Atlanta area tends to focus on:

• Weekend matches and tournaments, especially in spring and fall
• Social events like tailgating on the sidelines, picnics, and charity matches
• Introductory lessons for newcomers interested in learning to ride and play
• Youth and junior polo programs in some locations

For many Atlanta residents, attending a match isn’t just about the sport—it’s also a social outing with friends, food, and a chance to get out of the city into a more relaxed, scenic setting.

What To Expect at an Atlanta-Area Polo Club

Even if you’ve never watched a polo match before, Atlanta-area clubs are generally welcoming to spectators and beginners. Expect:

The Basic Atmosphere

• Large grass fields with views of horses, players, and open sky
• Parking along the sidelines, often with tailgating or picnic setups
• A mix of casual and slightly dressy attire—some people come in shorts, others in sundresses or slacks
• A family-friendly environment, though noise and movement might be limited close to the field for safety

Typical Match Day Experience

A standard polo match in the Atlanta area usually includes:

• Chukkers (periods): The game is divided into several short periods, often 4–6 chukkers.
• Halftime “divot stomping”: Spectators are often invited onto the field to gently press loose chunks of turf back into place—a fun, traditional mid-game activity.
• Announcers or organizers who may explain basic rules, especially at public or charity matches.

Spectators typically bring:

• Folding chairs or a blanket
• Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
• Cooler with drinks and snacks, unless on-site vendors are available

Who Joins an Atlanta Polo Club?

People involved in Atlanta polo come from a wide range of backgrounds. You’ll typically see:

• Experienced riders who shift from other disciplines into polo
• Professionals living in Atlanta who enjoy polo as a weekend hobby
• Families involved in youth riding programs and junior polo
• Newcomers with little to no horse experience who start with lessons

Membership at a polo club in the greater Atlanta area can involve:

• Club dues or seasonal membership fees
• Lesson packages for riding and polo skills
• Horse leasing or boarding arrangements (if you advance in the sport)

Clubs often work with beginners to help them get into the sport without needing to own a horse immediately, which can make polo more accessible than many people assume.

Lessons, Clinics, and Learning Polo Near Atlanta

If you’re interested in learning polo in the Atlanta region, you’ll usually find options like:

Types of Instruction Commonly Offered

• Introductory riding lessons for those new to horses
• Polo-specific clinics covering mallet work, rules, and positioning
• Private or semi-private lessons for more personalized instruction
• Group practices and scrimmages once you grasp fundamentals

Many Atlanta-area polo instructors emphasize:

• Safety around horses
• Controlled riding at different speeds
• Understanding the flow of the game, including how to ride in traffic safely

Programs can be available for:

• Adults with no riding background
• Riders transitioning from other disciplines
• Teens and youth riders interested in team sports

Watching Polo as a Spectator: Tips for Atlanta Locals and Visitors

You don’t need to be a member to enjoy the sport. Many Atlanta-area polo clubs host public or ticketed events that are ideal for a weekend outing.

What to Check Before You Go

Because polo is played outdoors and weather-dependent, schedules can change. Before driving out from Atlanta, it’s wise to confirm:

• Match times and dates
• Whether the event is open to the public
• Any parking, entry, or tailgating policies
• Dress guidelines, if it’s a more formal charity or fundraiser event

What to Wear and Bring

For most Atlanta polo events:

• Smart casual clothing is usually fine
• Comfortable shoes suitable for walking on grass
• A hat or visor to handle Georgia sun
• A light jacket in spring or fall evenings

Optional items:

• Picnic basket or snacks
• Binoculars for a closer view of the action
• Portable chairs if sideline seating is not provided

Atlanta Polo and the Local Equestrian Community

Polo in the Atlanta area connects with a broader equestrian ecosystem that includes:

• Boarding barns and riding schools in counties such as Fulton, Cobb, Cherokee, and Fayette
• Horse veterinarians and farriers that service polo barns and polo strings
• Tack shops and feed stores that provide equipment and care products

If you already ride in the metro area, your existing connections—trainers, barn owners, or local riders—can often point you toward active polo programs near Atlanta.

Practical Considerations for Joining an Atlanta-Area Polo Club

Joining a polo club or serious polo program requires planning, especially if you live in-town and will commute out to the fields.

Time Commitment

• Drive time from central Atlanta to many polo fields can range from about 35 minutes to over an hour, depending on location and traffic.
• Players often commit to regular practices plus match days on weekends.

Cost Factors (General, Not Exact)

The cost structure can vary significantly. Common elements include:

• Club or field fees
• Lesson rates
• Horse leasing or ownership costs (if you decide to keep your own horse in training)
• Equipment: helmet, boots, knee guards, mallet(s), and appropriate riding gear

Most clubs are open about pricing if you contact them directly. Newcomers frequently start with per-lesson arrangements before deciding on a full season commitment.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Polo Club Basics

Below is a simple overview of what “Atlanta Polo Club” typically means in practice for someone in the Atlanta area:

How to Find and Contact Polo Clubs Serving the Atlanta Area

Since specific facilities and schedules can change over time, it’s best to use stable, official sources and well-established channels to identify current polo options around Atlanta.

You can:

• Search for “polo club near Atlanta, GA” and review active clubs’ own websites or published contact details.
• Call or email the club offices/ranch or farm numbers listed to ask about lessons, spectator days, and membership.
• Ask local riding schools or barns in the Atlanta metro area if they know which polo programs are currently active.

When you reach out, you might want to ask:

• Are you currently accepting new members or lesson students?
• Do you offer introductory sessions for people who have never played polo?
• Which days are best to visit as a spectator?
• What equipment or clothing should a beginner bring?

If You’re Visiting Atlanta and Interested in Polo

If you’re in Atlanta temporarily but want a polo experience, you have a few realistic options:

• Attend a public match or event on a weekend if one coincides with your trip.
• Schedule a one-time introductory riding or polo lesson, if the club offers short-term arrangements.
• Combine your polo outing with visits to nearby small towns, restaurants, or wineries in the surrounding counties for a full day trip outside the city.

Checking event calendars in advance is especially helpful if your stay in Atlanta is short.

By understanding how the Atlanta polo scene operates—where fields are generally located, how clubs work, and what options exist for spectators, beginners, and committed players—you can choose the level of involvement that fits your interests, whether that’s a single sunny afternoon at a match or a long-term commitment to learning the sport.