All eyes are on Augusta as the 2025 Masters gets underway April 10, and all that attention might just inspire you to pull your clubs out of the garage and head out to the links yourself.
Even if you’re not Masters material, there are some great courses — public and private — right here in the metro, so you can make the most of your rekindled love of the sport on big greens with beautiful views.
Here are six of the best places to golf in metro Atlanta:
Public
Cobblestone Golf Course
4200 Nancy Road SW, Acworth. 770-917-5151. cobblestonegolf.com
Owned by Cobb County and operated by Bobby Jones Links, Cobblestone Golf Course is located on the banks of Lake Acworth, which provides beautiful views. It frequently lands on lists of the best public courses in the U.S. According to golf.com, which named it one of the state's best public golf courses, it showcases "what an elite-level muni can look like." And if you'd like to improve your game, PGA member Mike Wooditch offers instruction for golfers of all ages and skill levels.
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Bobby Jones Golf Course
2205 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta. 404-355-1009. bobbyjonesgc.com
This course is the "crown jewel of Atlanta's city-owned courses," according to golf.com. It stands out for its reversible design, which can be played in either direction and is the only one of its kind. The course also has multiple tees and large double greens that offer two pin placements on each green. The result is a golf course that you can experience differently as you continue to play.
Bear’s Best Atlanta
5342 Aldeburgh Drive, Suwanee. 678-714-2582. clubcorp.com
Bear's Best aims to provide an upscale experience at a public course. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, it's been named one of the Best Courses You Can Play by Golfweek. Each hole was inspired by one from Nicklaus' greatest golf course designs, including Castle Pines, PGA National Championship Course and Gleneagles, so you can enjoy the best of the best in a single course.
Credit: Ziyu Julian Zhu/AJC
Credit: Ziyu Julian Zhu/AJC
Stone Mountain Golf Club
1145 Stonewall Jackson Drive, Stone Mountain. 770-674-6230. stonemountaingolf.com
Stone Mountain Golf Club has views of the mountain as well as the lake. If the setting isn't enough to lure you in, the club has two courses, each of which offers a different experience. The Stonemont emphasizes accuracy, and The Lakemont is less demanding and target-oriented. This course has been named as one of the best public courses in Atlanta by golf.com.
Private
Atlanta Athletic Club (Highlands)
1930 Bobby Jones Drive, Johns Creek, 770-448-2166. atlantaathleticclub.org/golf
The Highlands Course at Atlanta Athletic Club has been ranked among the top 10 courses in Georgia by golfdigest.com. It's praised for its new turfgrass and upgraded irrigation system, which eliminates the need for irrigation boxes. Panelists who praised the course said that you could host a championship on the course any day of the year and called it a beautiful course that requires varied shot making.
East Lake Golf Club
2575 Alston Drive SE, Atlanta. 404-373-5722. eastlakegolfclub.com
The city of Atlanta’s oldest golf course, East Lake is the home course of legendary golfer Bobby Jones, so it has a rich history that’s displayed in its clubhouse. And since 2005, it’s been the home of the TOUR Championship. Golfdigest.com panelists said the course was very fair and the greens are quite receptive to well-hit shots. It also feels like you’re walking onto hallowed grounds when you golf at East Lake, one said.
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