East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta: What Locals and Visitors Need to Know

East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta is one of the most historic and respected golf venues in the country, and it sits right on the city’s east side. If you live in Atlanta, are planning a visit, or just want to understand how this private golf club fits into the local scene, it helps to know what East Lake actually is, how it operates, and what options exist for regular golfers nearby.

What Is East Lake Golf Club?

East Lake Golf Club is a private golf club located in the East Lake neighborhood of Atlanta, generally known as the home course of golf legend Bobby Jones and the long-time host of the Tour Championship, the season-ending event for the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup.

Key points:

• It is member-only, not a public daily-fee course.
• It is considered one of Atlanta’s most prestigious and historic golf venues.
• It plays a major role in professional golf and in philanthropic work supporting the surrounding community.

For many Atlanta residents, East Lake is less a place they play every weekend and more a landmark that symbolizes the city’s golf heritage.

Location and Basic Club Information

East Lake Golf Club is on the east side of Atlanta, in a largely residential area surrounded by classic intown neighborhoods.

East Lake Golf Club – Core Details

People often combine a visit to the East Lake area with time in Kirkwood, Oakhurst, or Decatur, which offer restaurants, shops, and neighborhood parks within a short drive.

Is East Lake Golf Club Public or Private?

For anyone searching “Eastlake Golf Club Atlanta” expecting a public tee time, this is the most important detail:

• East Lake Golf Club is a private club.
• Tee times are not available to the general public in the way they are at a municipal or daily-fee course.
• Play is typically limited to:
  • Members
  • Guests of members
  • Invited participants in specific events or corporate outings coordinated through the club

If you’re a casual golfer in Atlanta looking to get in a weekend round, you would usually play at a public course or semi-private club instead of East Lake itself.

Membership at East Lake Golf Club

Exact membership processes and costs are handled directly by the club and can change over time, but a few general patterns are consistent with clubs at this level in Atlanta:

• Membership is commonly by invitation or sponsorship, often requiring:
  • A current member’s recommendation
  • A review or approval process by the club
• Membership numbers are usually limited, which helps maintain course conditions and access.
• Fees tend to reflect the club’s prestige, history, and national profile, placing it among the higher-end options in the Atlanta golf market.

If you are an Atlanta resident seriously considering membership at a private club like East Lake, it is common to:

1. Talk with existing members in your professional or social circles.
2. Arrange a guest round (if invited) to experience the course and clubhouse.
3. Contact the club office directly to understand the current membership categories, expectations, and process.

East Lake’s Role in Professional Golf

One of the biggest reasons East Lake is known well beyond Atlanta is its role in hosting the Tour Championship.

The Tour Championship at East Lake

Every year, the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup season ends with the Tour Championship at East Lake:

• The event brings many of the top professional golfers in the world to Atlanta.
• During the event week, East Lake functions less like a local club and more like a major sports venue, drawing national attention.
• Nearby streets and parking areas see significant traffic changes and crowd management plans.

For Atlanta residents:

• The Tour Championship is a major local event similar in visibility to large games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or major events at State Farm Arena.
• Tickets are typically sold in tiers, and local fans often attend at least once to experience professional golf up close.
• Even if you never play East Lake, you may have seen it on TV or passed nearby during tournament week.

History and Local Significance

East Lake Golf Club is more than just a course; it is deeply tied to Atlanta’s history and neighborhood redevelopment.

Bobby Jones and Local Legacy

• East Lake is recognized as the home course of Bobby Jones, one of the most famous figures in golf history and a native Atlantan.
• Many Atlanta-area golfers view East Lake as a symbol of the city’s golf heritage, often mentioned alongside other historic regional spots.

Community and Neighborhood Impact

The club is closely linked with ongoing efforts in the East Lake community:

• The surrounding area has undergone long-term revitalization, with new housing, schools, and community resources.
• East Lake Golf Club plays an important role in philanthropic and community support, channeling its high-profile status into investments in the neighborhood.

For Atlanta residents, this means East Lake is often part of broader discussions around:

• Neighborhood redevelopment and equity
• The balance between a private, elite venue and public community benefit

Can Non-Members See or Visit East Lake Golf Club?

People in Atlanta frequently wonder what level of access they have if they’re not members.

Watching Golf at East Lake

You have two main ways to experience East Lake’s environment without membership:

1. Attend the Tour Championship

   • Purchase tickets when they become available.
   • Plan for parking or rideshare, as special traffic patterns are common.
   • Expect security screening and designated spectator areas.

2. Attend certain charity or corporate events

   • Some events held at East Lake involve sponsors or organizations that may invite guests.
   • Access details vary by event and are typically coordinated privately.

Seeing the Area Without Playing

If you’re just curious about the neighborhood:

• You can drive through the East Lake area, see the surrounding residential streets, and visit local parks and shops.
• The course itself remains private property, so access to the fairways, greens, and clubhouse is restricted unless you have authorized entry.

How East Lake Fits into the Atlanta Golf Scene

Atlanta has a wide range of golf options. East Lake sits at the very top tier in terms of exclusivity and national prominence, but it’s part of a much larger ecosystem that serves everyday golfers.

Other Types of Courses in Metro Atlanta

If you searched for “Eastlake Golf Club Atlanta” because you were simply looking to play golf somewhere in the city, these are the types of options you’re more likely to use:

• Public municipal courses
  Run by local governments or park systems, often more affordable and accessible.
• Daily-fee public courses
  Privately owned but open to anyone who books a tee time and pays the posted rate.
• Semi-private clubs
  Offer memberships but also allow limited public play.
• Private clubs
  Similar to East Lake in being member-only, but with a wide range of price points and cultures.

From an Atlanta resident’s perspective, East Lake is a high-profile landmark, while the bulk of your regular golf rounds will probably be at public or semi-private facilities in the metro area.

Practical Tips if You’re Interested in East Lake

If you’re in Atlanta and East Lake catches your attention—whether as a golfer, sports fan, or local resident—here are some practical next steps:

1. Clarify Your Goal

• Want to play the course regularly?
  You will need to explore membership and connections with existing members.
• Want to see it once in person?
  Consider attending the Tour Championship when it’s held there.
• Interested in the neighborhood and history?
  Spend time in the East Lake area and nearby neighborhoods to understand how the club fits into the broader community.

2. Plan Around Tournament Week

If you live or commute near East Lake:

• Expect heavier traffic and parking restrictions during the Tour Championship.
• Local residents often adjust daily routes or use MARTA and rideshare options more frequently during that period.

If you’re visiting Atlanta:

• Booking accommodations in nearby neighborhoods can be convenient, but demand may increase around tournament dates.
• Allow extra time if you’re driving in or out of the area when play is underway.

3. Consider Alternative Golf Options

If your main goal is simply to play golf in Atlanta, you do not need access to East Lake to have a good experience. Atlanta and its suburbs offer a broad mix of:

• Courses near major interstates for easy access from different parts of the city
• Varied price ranges, from budget-friendly municipal tracks to higher-end daily-fee layouts
• Diverse course styles, including tree-lined parkland layouts and more open, modern designs

Many local golfers admire East Lake as a special, often once-in-a-lifetime experience but rely on other courses for their day-to-day rounds.

Key Takeaways About East Lake Golf Club for Atlantans

• East Lake Golf Club is a private, member-only golf club, not a public course.
• It is located in the East Lake neighborhood on Atlanta’s east side, with a strong historic connection to Bobby Jones and a modern role as host of the Tour Championship.
• Non-members most often experience East Lake by attending professional events, particularly the Tour Championship, rather than playing the course themselves.
• The club plays a significant role in Atlanta’s sports identity and in community-oriented efforts in the surrounding neighborhood.
• For everyday golf in Atlanta, most residents rely on a wide range of public, semi-private, and other private courses across the metro area, using East Lake more as an aspirational or special-occasion venue than a weekly track.

Understanding these points can help you set the right expectations, whether you live in Atlanta, are visiting the city, or are simply curious where East Lake Golf Club fits into Atlanta’s golf and neighborhood landscape.