Golf in Atlanta, Georgia: Where to Play, When to Go, and How to Get Started

Atlanta, Georgia is one of the South’s busiest golf hubs. Whether you live in the metro area, are in town for a few days, or are trying to understand how golf in Atlanta works for planning a trip or move, you’ll find options for every skill level and budget.

This guide walks through public courses, private clubs, driving ranges, golf lessons, and practical tips specifically for playing golf in and around Atlanta.

Golf in Atlanta at a Glance

Atlanta’s golf scene is shaped by:

• Mild weather that allows play almost year-round
• A mix of municipal, public, semi-private, and private courses
• Strong junior, college, and amateur golf traditions in the metro area
• Plenty of practice facilities, indoor simulators, and leagues

Here’s a quick snapshot of what to expect:

Best Public & Municipal Golf Courses in Atlanta

If you’re looking for golf in Atlanta, Georgia without membership fees, start with the courses open to the public. These tend to be the most accessible for residents, visitors, and beginners.

City of Atlanta Municipal Courses

The City of Atlanta’s courses are popular for their central locations and comparatively affordable green fees.

Bobby Jones Golf Course (Atlanta)

• Location: Northwest Atlanta, near Buckhead
• Course style: Reversible 9-hole layout played as 18, walking- and beginner-friendly
• Vibe: Lively, modern, and designed to be accessible for all skill levels

Why locals like it:

• Flexible routing and shorter length make it appealing for quick rounds
• Home to the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame and a large practice area
• Strong junior and adaptive golf programming

This course is a practical option if you live in-town and want to sneak in nine holes after work or learn the game without facing an overly punishing layout.

Alfred “Tup” Holmes Golf Course

• Location: Southwest Atlanta, near I-20
• Course style: Traditional parkland layout
• Significance: Historically important in Atlanta’s civil rights and golf history

Why it matters:

• Serves golfers in southwest Atlanta and surrounding neighborhoods
• Often less crowded than some other in-town options
• A good choice if you want a classic-feeling Atlanta muni with local history

North Fulton Golf Course (Chastain Park)

• Location: Chastain Park area in north Buckhead
• Course style: Tree-lined, hilly, with some tight driving holes

Highlights:

• Scenic setting inside one of Atlanta’s largest parks
• Convenient for Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and in-town residents
• Popular for after-work rounds, twilight golf, and league play

North Fulton is a solid pick if you’re comfortable with moderate difficulty and like a traditional, mature layout.

Other Notable Public Courses in Metro Atlanta

Within short driving distance of downtown, there are several well-regarded daily-fee courses. While specific names and conditions can change over time, golfers often look to suburbs like Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Stone Mountain, and Douglasville for more options.

Many of these courses offer:

• Full 18-hole layouts with practice greens and driving ranges
• Reasonable green fees on weekdays, with dynamic pricing on weekends
• Leagues, clinics, and junior programs coordinated through the pro shop

When comparing metro-area public courses, pay attention to:

• Distance from your home, hotel, or office (traffic can be a factor)
• Practice facilities (some have large ranges; others have only nets or small greens)
• Cart vs. walking policies, especially in summer heat or on hilly terrain

Calling ahead or checking current course info before booking is helpful, as conditions and rates can vary by season.

Private Golf Clubs in and Around Atlanta

If you plan to live in Atlanta long term and play frequently, a private club might be worth exploring. Metro Atlanta is known for a concentration of private clubs, especially north and east of the city.

Common characteristics of private clubs in the region include:

• 18 or 27 holes, often designed by well-known architects
• Clubhouse amenities such as dining, pools, tennis, and fitness facilities
• Member events, including leagues, tournaments, and social functions
• Junior and family programs, particularly in family-oriented suburbs

When evaluating private clubs around Atlanta, potential members often consider:

• Commute time from home and work (traffic patterns on GA-400, I-75, and I-285 matter)
• The club’s culture and formality level
• Junior golf depth if you have children interested in the game
• Availability of practice facilities, including short game areas and indoor simulators

If you’re moving to Atlanta for work and expecting to entertain clients, a private club can also serve as a business networking hub, especially in north metro areas like Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and Marietta.

Where to Practice: Driving Ranges, Short Game Areas & Simulators

You don’t have to commit to a full round to enjoy golf in Atlanta. Practice options are widespread and helpful for beginners and serious players alike.

Driving Ranges & Practice Facilities

Many public courses in and around Atlanta have on-site driving ranges and short game areas. Typical offerings include:

• Grass or mat hitting areas
• Putting greens and chipping areas
• Range ball buckets priced per size
• Options for monthly or seasonal range passes

If you’re new to the city, you can:

• Search for the nearest public course with a range
• Ask the pro shop about practice-only access and busiest times
• Check if they offer discounts for juniors, students, or seniors

Indoor Golf & Simulators

With Atlanta’s occasional thunderstorms and hot summer afternoons, indoor golf simulators are popular for practice and social play. You can find:

• Standalone indoor golf studios
• Simulator bays inside some clubs and teaching academies
• Entertainment-focused venues with golf games and food service

These locations are useful if you:

• Want to work on your swing with data and feedback from launch monitors
• Prefer climate-controlled environments
• Need flexible tee times during busy or rainy periods

Golf Lessons and Instruction in Atlanta

Atlanta offers broad access to golf instruction, from beginner-friendly group classes to advanced coaching.

Where to Find Golf Lessons

You can typically find lessons at:

• Public and municipal courses (many have on-site teaching professionals)
• Private golf clubs (for members and sometimes guests)
• Independent teaching centers and academies across the metro area
• Indoor studios with technology like launch monitors and swing video

Types of lessons commonly available:

• Private one-on-one lessons
• Semi-private lessons for friends or couples
• Group clinics for adults or juniors
• Short game and putting clinics
• On-course playing lessons to learn strategy and club selection

When booking, you may want to ask about:

• The instructor’s experience with your skill level
• Whether they offer lesson packages or single sessions
• How they use video or technology in instruction
• Their approach to beginners vs. experienced players

Junior Golf in Atlanta

Atlanta is considered a strong region for junior golf, thanks to year-round practice opportunities and a deep network of youth programs.

Common junior options include:

• City and county recreational programs that run seasonal clinics and camps
• High school and middle school teams across metro school districts
• Junior camps at public courses and private clubs
• Regional and state-level junior tours and tournaments

Atlanta-area parents often look for:

• Beginner-friendly group camps during school breaks
• Programs that emphasize fun, etiquette, and safety
• Opportunities for juniors to compete at age-appropriate levels when they’re ready

Because demand can be high in peak seasons, early registration for summer and spring-break junior programs is usually recommended.

Golf Seasons and Weather: When to Play in Atlanta

Atlanta’s climate is a major advantage for golfers, but timing still matters.

Spring (March–May)

• Often considered the best overall golf season in Atlanta
• Mild temperatures and blooming scenery
• Can be a busy time, especially around major events and holidays

Tips:

• Book weekend tee times in advance
• Expect courses to be in strong condition as they emerge from winter

Summer (June–August)

• Hot and humid, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms
• Courses remain busy in mornings and late afternoons

Tips:

• Aim for early tee times (before midday) to avoid peak heat
• Stay hydrated and use sun protection
• Thunderstorms may cause delays or evacuations from the course

Fall (September–early November)

• Another prime season for golf in Atlanta
• Cooler temperatures and colorful foliage
• Often less humidity than summer

Tips:

• Great for both weekday and weekend play
• Popular time for leagues, club championships, and charity events

Winter (Late November–February)

• Many days are still playable, especially midday
• Occasional cold snaps, frost delays, and rain

Tips:

• Call ahead for frost delay information, especially in the mornings
• Conditions can be softer and slower, but pace of play may be more relaxed

Typical Costs: What Golf Might Cost You in Atlanta

Prices vary by course type, time of day, and day of week, but a general pattern across Atlanta looks like this:

• Municipal/public courses (weekday): Often the most affordable option
• Municipal/public courses (weekend mornings): Higher rates, but still moderate
• Semi-private and upscale daily-fee courses: Mid-to-high range, especially at peak times
• Private clubs: Monthly dues plus initiation and other fees for members

Where you can often save:

• Twilight or super-twilight rounds later in the day
• Weekday vs. weekend tee times
• Walking instead of riding where allowed
• Seasonal or local resident discounts at some facilities

Calling pro shops directly or checking current rate sheets can help you compare real-time pricing for your preferred days and times.

Golf Etiquette and Pace of Play in Atlanta

Courses in the Atlanta area often emphasize pace of play and courtesy, especially during busy seasons.

Key expectations:

• Arrive at least 15–20 minutes before your tee time
• Keep up with the group ahead, not just ahead of the group behind
• Allow faster groups to play through when appropriate
• Repair ball marks, rake bunkers, and replace or fill divots
• Respect cart path rules, especially after rain

If you’re new to golf, asking the starter or pro shop staff about course etiquette basics is encouraged; they’re used to helping beginners.

Getting Around: Traffic, Travel Time, and Tee Times

Atlanta’s traffic patterns can heavily influence when and where you play.

Consider:

• Morning rush (roughly 7–9 a.m.) and evening rush (roughly 4–7 p.m.)
• Major highways like I-75, I-85, I-285, and GA-400, which affect travel time from in-town neighborhoods to suburban courses
• Planning tee times that avoid worst congestion if you’re crossing the metro area

If you work in the city and live in the suburbs (or vice versa), many golfers choose:

• Early morning rounds close to home before heading into the office
• Twilight rounds near work to miss some of the evening rush

Building an extra 15–30 minutes of buffer into your travel time is common practice for metro Atlanta golfers.

How to Choose the Right Atlanta Golf Option for You

To narrow down the best golf in Atlanta, Georgia for your situation, think through:

1. Your primary goal

   • Quick practice? Full 18-hole rounds? Social outings? Junior development?

2. Location

   • Are you based in Midtown, Buckhead, Downtown, Decatur, or the suburbs?
   • How far are you willing to drive with typical traffic?

3. Budget

   • Do you want municipal rates, mid-level daily-fee courses, or a private club?

4. Frequency

   • Occasional recreational play or multiple rounds per week?

5. Skill level

   • Just starting out, intermediate, or competitive?

Once you’ve answered those questions, you can:

• Call nearby public courses to ask about rates, availability, and conditions
• Visit driving ranges or practice areas to get comfortable before a full round
• Explore lessons or clinics to build confidence and improve faster
• Talk with local golfers (coworkers, neighbors, or league players) to hear what they like about specific Atlanta-area courses

With a bit of planning, Atlanta offers enough variety that you can find golf experiences tailored to your schedule, budget, and ability level—whether you’re downtown, in-town, or anywhere across the wider metro area.