Bobby Jones Golf Course and Bitsy Grant Tennis Center: A Local’s Guide to Atlanta’s Classic Sports Complex

If you love being active outdoors in Atlanta, the Bobby Jones Golf Course and Bitsy Grant Tennis Center are two of the city’s most beloved public sports facilities. They sit next to each other in Buckhead, just northwest of Midtown, and together offer golf, tennis, pickleball, a driving range, walking paths, and a strong neighborhood feel.

This guide walks you through what to expect, how to use the facilities, and tips for both locals and visitors.

Where They Are and How They Fit into Atlanta

Location:
Both facilities sit off Northside Drive NW, near the intersection with Peachtree Battle Avenue NW, a few minutes from Peachtree Road in Buckhead and a short drive from Midtown.

• Bobby Jones Golf Course
  2205 Northside Dr NW
  Atlanta, GA 30305

• Bitsy Grant Tennis Center
  3280 Northside Dr NW
  Atlanta, GA 30305

They border the Atlanta Memorial Park area and are close to neighborhoods like Peachtree Battle, Collier Hills, and Arden/Habersham. If you’re staying in Midtown or Buckhead, this is one of the most convenient places to play golf or tennis without leaving the city core.

Bobby Jones Golf Course: What to Expect

A Modern Public Course with Historic Roots

Bobby Jones Golf Course is named for Bobby Jones, the legendary Atlanta golfer and Grand Slam champion. Originally opened in the 1930s, the course has been heavily renovated and redesigned to better fit modern play and the property’s hilly terrain.

Today, the course is known for being:

• More compact and flexible than a traditional 18-hole layout
• Walkable, with a routing that works well for different skill levels
• Public and welcoming, not a private club environment

It’s especially popular with in-town golfers who don’t want to drive to the suburbs for a round.

Course Layout and Style

The course uses a “reversible” or flexible routing concept, designed to maximize variety on a limited footprint. Some key features:

• Multiple teeing options so beginners, juniors, and advanced players can all find a comfortable setup
• Strategic bunkering and elevation changes that reward accuracy and smart shot selection
• Urban views and tree-lined fairways typical of Atlanta’s in-town courses

Most golfers describe it as:

• Challenging enough for experienced players
• Still playable and enjoyable for casual golfers
• Faster to play than many long, suburban courses

Practice Facilities

If you’re not up for a full round, Bobby Jones offers solid practice options:

• Driving range with multiple hitting bays
• Short game area for chipping and pitching
• Putting greens to warm up before your round or practice speed control

These facilities make it a popular choice for:

• After-work practice for Buckhead and Midtown professionals
• Weekend tune-ups for league or tournament play
• Parents working on fundamentals with junior golfers

Booking Tee Times, Fees, and Play Tips

Tee Times

Most players reserve a tee time in advance, especially:

• Weekend mornings
• Late afternoons when the weather is cooler
• Holidays and peak golf season (spring and fall in Atlanta)

Walk-ups may be possible on slower weekdays, but planning ahead is safer if you’re visiting or meeting a group.

Green Fees and Rentals

Bobby Jones is a public facility, so you do not need a membership. Typical on-site offerings include:

• Green fees that vary by:
  • Time of day (twilight vs. prime time)
  • Day of week (weekday vs. weekend)
  • Player type (adult, junior, senior in some cases)
• Cart rentals if you prefer not to walk
• Club rentals, useful for business travelers or new players
• Range balls for use on the driving range

💡 Tip: Atlanta’s prime golf seasons are spring and fall. During these months, expect higher demand and potentially higher prime-time fees.

What to Bring and Wear

To fit in comfortably at a public Atlanta course like Bobby Jones:

• Wear:

  • Collared shirt or neat athletic top
  • Golf shorts, pants, or tasteful athletic skorts
  • Soft-spike golf shoes or athletic sneakers

• Bring:

  • Sunscreen and a hat (Atlanta sun can be strong, even in spring and fall)
  • A water bottle (hydration matters in Georgia humidity)
  • Light rain layer if the forecast looks unsettled

Instruction, Juniors, and Programs at Bobby Jones

Golf Lessons and Coaching

Bobby Jones is often used by teaching professionals who offer:

• One-on-one lessons for adults and juniors
• Small-group clinics focused on:
  • Full swing
  • Short game and putting
  • Course management

If you’re new to golf in Atlanta or getting back into it, Bobby Jones is a practical place to learn because:

• The course is designed with beginners in mind
• The practice facilities support focused instruction
• You don’t need to navigate a private club environment

Junior and Youth Golf

Families in Buckhead and nearby neighborhoods often look to Bobby Jones for junior-friendly golf because of:

• Multiple tee options that reduce course length for kids
• Group clinics or camps offered seasonally
• A welcoming, public atmosphere that’s less intimidating

If you’re a parent in Atlanta looking for a starting point, this is one of the more accessible youth golf environments in the city.

Bitsy Grant Tennis Center: Atlanta’s Classic Public Courts

Overview and Atmosphere

Right across the way from the golf course, Bitsy Grant Tennis Center is one of Atlanta’s most established public tennis hubs. It’s named after Bryan “Bitsy” Grant, a well-known Atlanta tennis champion.

The center is known for:

• Multiple court surfaces, including clay and hard courts
• A strong local tennis community, with regular league and recreational play
• A public, inclusive feel, suitable for beginners and long-time players

It’s a go-to spot for players from Buckhead, Midtown, and surrounding intown neighborhoods.

Court Types

While exact counts can change as courts are resurfaced or adjusted, Bitsy Grant typically offers:

• Clay courts (often a major draw for older players and league matches)
• Hard courts for everyday play and practice

Many Atlanta players like Bitsy Grant because:

• Clay courts are easier on joints than hard courts
• The variety lets you choose what best fits your playing style and comfort

Reserving Courts and Playing at Bitsy Grant

Court Reservations

Because Bitsy Grant is popular with league and recreational players, court reservations are common. Depending on the current system, you may:

• Reserve in advance for specific times
• Have time limits during peak hours
• Need to share or rotate courts during busy league nights

Weekdays during lunch and early evenings, plus weekend mornings, tend to be the busiest.

Fees and Access

As a public facility, Bitsy Grant generally follows a structure that might include:

• Hourly court fees, which may differ for:
  • Clay vs. hard courts
  • Daytime vs. evening play
• Possible differences in rates for Atlanta residents vs. non-residents
• Lighting fees if you play under the lights in the evening

Many league players from Atlanta’s large tennis organizations compete at Bitsy Grant, so you’ll frequently see organized matches and team practices.

Tennis Lessons, Clinics, and Leagues

Private and Group Instruction

Bitsy Grant is a central place for tennis instruction in Atlanta. Typical offerings can include:

• Private lessons for adults and juniors
• Group clinics organized by level (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
• Stroke-specific clinics focusing on serves, volleys, or footwork

This makes it a good option if you:

• Are new to tennis and living intown
• Want to return to the game after a break
• Are moving to Atlanta and looking for a place to meet other players at your level

Junior Tennis and Camps

Families in Atlanta often use Bitsy Grant for kids who are starting or developing in tennis, thanks to:

• Seasonal junior clinics and camps
• A mix of fun drills, match play, and basic fitness
• Opportunities for progressing into more competitive play

For parents, this is one of the more convenient junior tennis centers near both Buckhead and Midtown.

Pickleball and Other Activities

In recent years, many Atlanta facilities have started integrating pickleball, and the Bobby Jones / Bitsy Grant area has followed that trend.

Depending on current offerings, you may find:

• Pickleball courts striped on selected tennis courts or dedicated spaces
• Times of day reserved for pickleball play
• Introductory clinics for adults and seniors

Pickleball’s popularity makes these courts especially busy during cooler morning and evening hours.

Amenities, Parking, and Nearby Options

On-Site Amenities

Across Bobby Jones and Bitsy Grant, you can typically expect:

• Restrooms and changing areas
• Pro-shop or front desk areas where you can:
  • Pay for your round or court time
  • Check in for lessons or clinics
  • Purchase small items like balls, gloves, or grips
• Spectator areas near some courts and greens

Golfers can often find:

• Practice putting greens and chipping areas
• Driving range facilities for warm-up and practice

Tennis players can expect:

• Benches and shade structures near some courts
• Courts with lights for evening play

Parking

Most visitors drive. The area includes:

• On-site or adjacent parking lots
• Typical in-town Atlanta traffic patterns:
  • Heavier on weekday afternoons
  • Busier on spring/fall weekends with nice weather

If you’re coming from Midtown or Downtown, allow extra time around rush hour.

When to Go: Weather and Seasonal Considerations

Atlanta’s climate shapes how you’ll use both Bobby Jones and Bitsy Grant:

• Spring (March–May):

  • Peak golf and tennis season
  • Mild temperatures, lots of flowering trees
  • Higher demand for tee times and courts

• Summer (June–August):

  • Hot and humid, especially midday
  • Early morning and evening play are most comfortable
  • Hydration and sun protection are important

• Fall (September–November):

  • Another prime season with pleasant temperatures
  • Popular for league tennis and golf outings

• Winter (December–February):

  • Playable many days, but more weather-dependent
  • Lighter demand, easier to find last-minute times

Quick Comparison: Bobby Jones vs. Bitsy Grant

Who These Facilities Are Best For

You’ll likely enjoy this complex if you:

• Live in Atlanta and want a reliable, in-town place to play golf or tennis without joining a private club
• Are visiting the city and staying in Midtown, Buckhead, or nearby neighborhoods and want to fit in a round or match
• Have kids interested in golf or tennis and prefer public, accessible facilities
• Are new to Atlanta and looking to plug into local sports communities and meet other players

For many Atlantans, Bobby Jones Golf Course and Bitsy Grant Tennis Center are not just places to play; they’re regular parts of weekly routines—before work, after work, or on weekends—right in the heart of the city.