East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

East Lake Golf Club is one of Atlanta’s most historic and prestigious golf courses. Whether you’re a local golfer, visiting Atlanta, or just curious about the club you see on TV during the TOUR Championship, it helps to understand what East Lake is, how it works, and what you realistically can (and can’t) do there.

Where East Lake Golf Club Is and Why It Matters in Atlanta

Location:
East Lake Golf Club
2575 Alston Dr SE
Atlanta, GA 30317

East Lake sits on Atlanta’s east side, close to Kirkwood, Decatur, and the I-20 corridor. It’s a short drive from downtown and midtown, but it feels tucked away in a quiet residential area near East Lake Park and the East Lake MARTA station.

East Lake is known nationally because:

• It’s the permanent home of the TOUR Championship, the season-ending event for the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup.
• It’s tied closely to the revitalization of the East Lake neighborhood, often mentioned as a model for community-focused redevelopment.
• It has deep ties to golf history in Atlanta, especially through Bobby Jones, one of the sport’s most famous figures.

For someone in Atlanta, East Lake is less of a casual public course and more of a golf landmark you experience through membership, connections, or major events.

Public vs. Private: Can You Play East Lake?

The most important thing to know:

Who Can Play East Lake?

Typically, golfers play East Lake in one of these ways:

• Club members and their guests
• Corporate or charity outings hosted at the club
• Invitations from a member or sponsor
• Special events occasionally connected to major tournaments or fundraising

If you live in Atlanta and want to play East Lake, you usually need:

• A personal or professional connection to a member, or
• Involvement with an organization or charity that hosts events there.

Is There a Way to “Walk the Course” Without Playing?

You can experience East Lake even if you never swing a club there by:

• Attending the TOUR Championship as a spectator
• Participating in certain charity events or community programs that may include access
• Visiting nearby public spaces like East Lake Park for views of the area (but not inside the club grounds)

The club itself is gated and access-controlled, so casual walk-ins are not available.

A Quick Snapshot of East Lake Golf Club

Here’s a simple overview to put the club in context:

Course and Facilities: What Makes East Lake Stand Out

Even if you never plan to join, it’s helpful to know what makes East Lake such a big deal locally.

Championship Golf Course

East Lake is known for:

• Classic layout: A traditional, tree-lined design with challenging greens and strategic bunkering.
• Championship conditioning: The course is maintained to a standard that can support televised professional events.
• TOUR Championship routing: During tournament week, the finishing holes are set up for TV drama, which Atlanta golfers see on broadcast and then compare to their own rounds at local public courses.

You won’t find posted public scorecards in city rec centers or tourism brochures, but local golfers often talk about East Lake as a benchmark for difficulty and prestige in Atlanta golf.

Practice and Clubhouse Spaces

As a full-service private club, East Lake typically offers:

• Practice range and short game areas
• Clubhouse with dining and event spaces
• Locker rooms and member services

While these are primarily for members and their guests, they also play a role during:

• Corporate events and fundraisers
• Tournament hospitality for the TOUR Championship
• Private functions that may involve local businesses or nonprofits

Membership at East Lake Golf Club: What to Expect (Broadly)

Specific membership costs and terms can change over time, and the club generally handles that information directly rather than publishing detailed breakdowns. However, for someone in Atlanta considering private club membership, you can expect:

• Invitation or sponsorship by existing members is typically required.
• Initiation fees and annual dues are usually in a premium range compared with many other Atlanta-area clubs.
• Membership offers:
  • Regular playing access to the course
  • Use of practice facilities and clubhouse
  • Participation in member events and tournaments

If you’re seriously exploring membership:

• You would generally contact the club office or speak with a current member.
• It may help to have a clear reason—such as corporate hosting, frequent play, or networking—in addition to a love of golf.

East Lake’s Role in the Atlanta Community

One reason East Lake is frequently mentioned in Atlanta civic discussions is its connection to neighborhood redevelopment and education.

While the golf club itself is private, the broader East Lake community includes:

• Drew Charter School, a public charter school serving neighborhood students
• The Villages of East Lake, mixed-income housing
• Community-oriented programs and partnerships focused on education, housing, and quality of life

For Atlanta residents, this means East Lake isn’t just a golf course for professionals and members; it’s also part of a broader Atlanta story about neighborhood change and investment.

Getting There: Transportation and Parking Tips

Even if you’re not playing, you may visit for a tournament or special event.

By Car

From central Atlanta (downtown or midtown), you can typically:

• Take I-20 East and exit near Moreland Ave or Glenwood Ave, then follow local roads into the East Lake neighborhood.
• Allow extra time during TOUR Championship week, when traffic and road closures can affect the area.

Parking arrangements may change during big events, with satellite lots and shuttles sometimes used instead of on-site parking. These details are usually provided with event tickets or official announcements.

By MARTA

For everyday city travel:

• The East Lake MARTA Station (Blue Line) is the closest rail stop.
• From the station, it’s a short drive, rideshare, or bike ride to the club area, though the club grounds themselves are not open to walk-in visitors without authorization.

Watching the TOUR Championship at East Lake

If you live in Atlanta and love golf—even if you never join a private club—the TOUR Championship is one of the biggest annual sports events in the city.

What to Expect During Tournament Week

• Spectator access with purchased tickets
• Security checkpoints, bag policies, and prohibited items typical of major sporting events
• Concession areas, merchandise, and viewing zones around key holes
• Crowds that include local fans, corporate guests, and visitors from out of town

For Atlanta residents, common strategies include:

• Planning arrival and departure times to avoid peak traffic
• Using rideshare or designated shuttles if provided
• Wearing comfortable walking shoes—spectating involves a lot of walking on grass and hills

Nearby Public Golf Options in the East Lake Area

If you’re inspired by East Lake but looking for courses you can actually book easily in Atlanta, there are several options:

Charlie Yates Golf Course (Closest Public Option)

Located just west of East Lake Golf Club, Charlie Yates Golf Course is a nearby public course that serves many Atlanta golfers.

• Shorter layout suitable for a wide range of skill levels
• Often used by local residents, juniors, and casual players
• Provides a way to play golf in the same general neighborhood as East Lake

Other Public Courses Around Atlanta

If you’re staying in the city or live nearby, you might also consider:

• Bobby Jones Golf Course (Buckhead area) – A reversible 9-hole course with a practice range and putting course
• Brown’s Mill Golf Course (south Atlanta) – A full 18-hole municipal course
• North Fulton Golf Course at Chastain Park (north Atlanta) – A tree-lined public course within one of the city’s most popular parks
• Alfred “Tup” Holmes Golf Course (west side) – A historic municipal course with strong local ties

These public facilities provide realistic, accessible options for people who like the idea of East Lake’s championship pedigree but want to book a tee time without membership.

Practical Tips for Atlantans Interested in East Lake

If you’re in Atlanta and East Lake Golf Club is on your mind, here are a few concrete next steps depending on your goals:

• You want to watch top-tier pro golf

  • Look into TOUR Championship tickets when event dates approach.
  • Plan transportation and schedule to navigate crowds and traffic.

• You want to experience golf in the East Lake neighborhood

  • Play a round at Charlie Yates Golf Course or another public course nearby.
  • Combine it with a visit to local neighborhoods like Kirkwood or Oakhurst for food and coffee.

• You’re considering joining a private club in Atlanta

  • Talk with friends, colleagues, or business contacts who are members of clubs like East Lake, Ansley Golf Club, or Druid Hills Golf Club to understand expectations.
  • Contact clubs directly for membership information and touring opportunities, and compare driving distance, fees, and culture.

• You’re interested in the community side of East Lake

  • Learn more about the East Lake neighborhood, its schools, and housing.
  • Explore ways to support education, youth sports, or community programs in your part of Atlanta.

East Lake Golf Club is one of Atlanta’s signature golf venues—prestigious, historic, and tightly connected to both professional golf and local neighborhood change. While it’s not a place you can casually book for a quick round, understanding how it fits into the city’s golf scene and community can help you decide how you want to experience golf and recreation in Atlanta, whether that means attending a tournament, playing nearby public courses, or exploring membership paths at private clubs.