Olde Atlanta Club Golf: A Local’s Guide to This Johns Creek Course Near Atlanta

If you live in metro Atlanta and are looking for a neighborhood-style golf experience just north of the city, Olde Atlanta Club Golf in Johns Creek / Suwanee area is one of those courses locals talk about: scenic, tight in places, and very “Atlanta suburbs” in feel.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to what this course is like, how it fits into the local golf scene, and what you should know before making the drive up GA‑400.

Where Olde Atlanta Club Golf Fits in the Atlanta Golf Scene

Location:
Olde Atlanta Club Golf Course is located in the Olde Atlanta Club residential community off Old Atlanta Road, near the Chattahoochee River and Lambert High School area. It sits in south Forsyth County, but functionally it’s very much part of the north Atlanta / Johns Creek golf corridor.

For Atlanta residents, it’s commonly reached by:

• From I‑285 / GA‑400: Take GA‑400 north, exit around McFarland Parkway or Exit 13, then cut across toward Old Atlanta Road.
• From intown Atlanta (Midtown, Buckhead): Plan for roughly 35–60 minutes depending on traffic, especially if you’re driving during weekday rush hours or a busy Saturday morning.

Many golfers see Olde Atlanta as:

• A “step up” from basic municipal tracks closer to the city.
• A more neighborhood and community-oriented alternative to some of the higher-priced private clubs in Johns Creek, Duluth, or Alpharetta.
• A good option if you live in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, Johns Creek, or Cumming and don’t want to drive all the way to the south side or intown courses.

Course Style and Layout: What to Expect

Course type: Residential, tree-lined, with elevation changes and water in play on several holes.

Typical Atlanta-area golf traits you’ll recognize:

• Rolling terrain: Expect uneven lies, uphill and downhill approaches, and a few blind shots.
• Tree-lined fairways: Similar to other north metro courses like those in Alpharetta or Johns Creek, missing fairways can mean punching out from the woods.
• Water hazards: Ponds and creeks appear on a number of holes, especially on the back nine.
• Suburban neighborhood feel: Homes line many of the fairways, so accuracy matters as much as distance.

Difficulty Level

Golfers around Atlanta often describe Olde Atlanta Club as:

• Moderately challenging for mid-handicappers.
• Strategic rather than purely long: You don’t always need driver; course management and club selection matter.
• Punishing from the wrong tees: With the elevation and hazards, playing too far back can add unnecessary strokes.

If you’re used to flatter courses closer to the city (for example, some of the courses on the south side or near the airport), Olde Atlanta’s terrain and tighter fairways can feel like a noticeable jump in difficulty.

Olde Atlanta Club Golf at a Glance

Here’s a simple snapshot of what most Atlanta-area players want to know:

Access, Tee Times, and Membership-Style Options

Exact policies can change, but in the Atlanta area, a course like Olde Atlanta often operates in one of a few common ways:

• Public or semiprivate play:
  Many neighborhood clubs in north metro Atlanta offer:

  • Daily-fee tee times for the general public.
  • Priority booking or better rates for residents or members.
  • Leagues (men’s, women’s, couples) that regulars join.

• Tee time booking:
  For Atlanta golfers, it’s smart to:

  • Book ahead for weekend mornings—these are peak times across the metro area.
  • Check whether the course uses a phone system, in-person sign-ups, or an online booking platform.
  • Ask about any twilight rates, which are popular with after-work players coming from Buckhead, Perimeter, or Alpharetta offices.

• Dress code norms:
  North Atlanta clubs like Olde Atlanta typically expect:

  • Collared shirts.
  • Golf shorts or pants (no gym shorts, cutoffs, or tank tops).
  • Soft-spike golf shoes or athletic shoes.

If you’re bringing guests from out of town, it’s worth mentioning the dress code and expected pace so they know what to expect compared to more casual municipal courses.

Practice Facilities and On-Site Amenities

While details can vary, neighborhood clubs in the Old Atlanta Road / Johns Creek area commonly offer:

• Driving range: Often with grass tees or mats. Good for:

  • Quick practice on the way home from work.
  • Warm-up before a weekend round.

• Putting and chipping greens:
  Very useful since Atlanta-area greens can run fast in summer and softer in winter; practicing speed is key.

• Golf shop:
  Typically stocked with:

  • Balls, gloves, and basic gear.
  • Logo apparel.
  • Information on local leagues, clinics, and junior programs.

• Restaurant or grill:
  Expect a casual 19th hole atmosphere with:

  • Simple bar-style food.
  • Drinks and post-round hangout space.

These amenities make Olde Atlanta attractive not just as a place to play but as a regular home base if you live in Forsyth, north Fulton, or nearby.

Playing Conditions Through the Atlanta Seasons

Atlanta weather has a big impact on how Olde Atlanta Club plays:

Spring (March–May)

• Cool mornings, pleasant afternoons.
• Courses are coming out of winter; fairways and rough begin to green up.
• Pollen can be heavy, especially with all the trees lining the course.

👍 Tip for locals: Spring is a great time to walk if allowed; temperatures are ideal before summer heat hits.

Summer (June–September)

• Hot and humid, especially in the afternoons.
• Afternoon thunderstorms are common across metro Atlanta; starting early is smart.
• Rough can grow thick and penal; staying in the fairway pays off.

👍 Tip: Hydrate heavily, and carry a towel. Many locals prefer early-morning tee times on weekends to beat the heat and traffic.

Fall (October–November)

• Often regarded by Atlanta golfers as the best season:
  • Comfortable temperatures.
  • Less humidity.
  • Attractive fall colors in the wooded areas around the course.

Course conditions can be firm and fast, which rewards good ball striking.

Winter (December–February)

• Generally playable most days; hard freezes are intermittent.
• Dormant Bermuda fairways can be tight; clean contact is essential.
• Morning tee times can be delayed by frost, like at most north metro courses.

👍 Tip: Keep an eye on your start time in winter—frost delays can push back the entire morning wave.

Who Olde Atlanta Club Golf Is Best For

From an Atlanta golfer’s perspective, Olde Atlanta Club tends to suit:

• North metro residents in:
  • Johns Creek
  • Suwanee
  • Cumming
  • Duluth
  • Alpharetta
• League and regular-play golfers looking for a consistent home course.
• Intermediate and advanced players who want strategy, not just wide-open driving.
• Families in the Olde Atlanta Club neighborhood who want easy access to golf, practice, and junior programs.

It might be less ideal if:

• You’re a brand-new beginner who needs very open, forgiving fairways.
• You live on the far south side of Atlanta and need something closer to Hartsfield-Jackson or South Fulton.
• You’re only in town briefly and want a course right by downtown; the drive time may not fit a tight schedule.

Getting There From Around Atlanta

Because traffic is a big factor in metro Atlanta life, planning your route to Olde Atlanta Club matters:

• From Downtown / Midtown Atlanta:

  • Take I‑85 North or I‑75/85 to the GA‑400 North connector.
  • Stay on GA‑400 North, then exit toward McFarland Parkway or the relevant exit toward Old Atlanta Road depending on your GPS.
  • Allow 45–60+ minutes during busy times.

• From Buckhead / Brookhaven / Sandy Springs:

  • GA‑400 North is usually the quickest.
  • Traveling outside of peak rush (7–9 a.m., 4–7 p.m.) helps a lot.

• From Decatur / East Atlanta:

  • Typically, you’ll connect via I‑285 to GA‑400 North, then follow the same northern route.
  • Plan extra time, especially if crossing during evening rush.

If you’re scheduling a weekday twilight round, building in traffic time is just as important as booking your tee time.

Comparing Olde Atlanta Club to Other Atlanta Golf Options

While not a full comparison, it helps to understand where Olde Atlanta sits among typical Atlanta choices:

• Versus city and county munis (e.g., Chastain / Bobby Jones, Browns Mill):

  • Olde Atlanta usually feels more residential and controlled in layout.
  • More pronounced elevation changes and tree lines than many flatter municipal options.

• Versus high-end private clubs in Johns Creek or Alpharetta:

  • Olde Atlanta often comes with:
    • More accessible pricing for daily-fee play (depending on current policies).
    • A less formal vibe, while still maintaining a club environment.

• Versus south side courses:

  • Olde Atlanta is generally more convenient for north-side residents but less so if you live in Peachtree City, Stockbridge, or Fayetteville.

For many metro residents, Olde Atlanta fills the role of a reliable neighborhood-style course with respectable challenge and a strong community feel.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Golfers Visiting Olde Atlanta Club

A few locally relevant pointers:

• Book early for weekend mornings. North-side courses fill up quickly, especially in spring and fall.
• Check for league or outing days. Many Atlanta-area courses reserve blocks of time for leagues; asking in advance can help avoid surprises.
• Use twilight rates. If you work near Perimeter Center, Alpharetta, or Johns Creek, twilight or late-afternoon slots can be a good value.
• Watch the weather. Atlanta storms can build fast, especially in summer; if the forecast shows afternoon activity, morning tee times are safer.
• Bring your short game. With elevation and smaller landing areas, having a solid chipping and putting game is key to scoring well.

How Olde Atlanta Club Golf Fits Your Atlanta Lifestyle

If you live or spend a lot of time on the north side of Atlanta, Olde Atlanta Club Golf is the kind of course that can become part of your regular routine—after-work nine holes, weekend mornings with friends, or league nights.

It blends the suburban Atlanta neighborhood feel with a layout that keeps local golfers interested, and it’s close enough to major north-south arteries like GA‑400 to be reachable from much of the metro area, as long as you plan around traffic.

For Atlanta residents or visitors staying in the northern suburbs, it’s a practical, locally rooted option to put on your golf rotation.