Best Private Golf Courses in Atlanta
Four researched private golf-course picks in and around Atlanta, with reasons to consider each, actual locations, access guidance and cited sources.
Looking for the best private golf courses in the Atlanta area? Start with East Lake Golf Club and Atlanta Athletic Club and Ansley Golf Club and Druid Hills Golf Club. These four researched selections offer different reasons to consider a round, rather than a claim that one course wins for every golfer. The shortlist includes nearby communities where explicitly identified below.
Compare the Atlanta-area shortlist
| Course | Location | Reason to consider it |
|---|---|---|
| East Lake Golf Club | Atlanta | Historic Donald Ross golf design |
| Atlanta Athletic Club | Johns Creek | Golf development and extensive practice facilities |
| Ansley Golf Club | Atlanta and Roswell | Two locations for different kinds of club use |
| Druid Hills Golf Club | Atlanta | An established club in the Druid Hills neighborhood |
Plan around the actual location
Chastain Park offers an Atlanta municipal option; The Frog is in Villa Rica and needs a separate regional trip. The private selections emphasize two different parts of the city's architectural history rather than bookable visitor alternatives.
This guide contains 4 selections supported by this source review, not a census of local golf. We have not filled the remaining places with courses whose identity, access or selection case we could not establish well enough. A shorter list does not mean the area has no other worthwhile courses. Use the locations in the table and the operator's address, not a directory URL's nearby-hub name, to plan your trip.
East Lake Golf Club
East Lake Golf Club — Atlanta. East Lake combines its Bobby Jones connection with TOUR Championship history and a 2024 restoration led by Andrew Green. It suits golfers interested in Atlanta’s golf heritage and the club’s community role, while remaining a private-access selection.
Our selection focus: historic donald ross golf design. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Access and booking: Private East Lake access is subject to club authorization; TOUR Championship attendance does not confer playing privileges.
Atlanta Athletic Club
Atlanta Athletic Club — Johns Creek. Atlanta Athletic Club offers a substantial practice complex, a short par-three course and an instruction center. It suits golfers evaluating a club for regular improvement as well as full-length rounds.
Our selection focus: golf development and extensive practice facilities. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Access and booking: Member club; confirm membership or hosted guest authorization and the specific course. Its Johns Creek location requires a separate trip from central Atlanta.
Ansley Golf Club
Ansley Golf Club — Atlanta and Roswell. Ansley combines a Midtown Atlanta location with Settindown in Roswell. The two-site model is relevant to golfers comparing city convenience with a separate suburban golf destination.
Our selection focus: two locations for different kinds of club use. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Access and booking: Private member club; have your host confirm which property and course your invitation covers. Do not assume a Midtown booking means Settindown access.
Druid Hills Golf Club
Druid Hills Golf Club (official course website) — Atlanta. Druid Hills dates its institution to 1912 and describes a private-club setting within the historic neighborhood. It offers a local alternative for golfers who value a long-established community rather than a distant suburban club.
Our selection focus: an established club in the druid hills neighborhood. This is a reason to put the course on your shortlist, not a rating or a promise about the condition of the course on your visit.
Access and booking: Private members and authorized guests; follow the published guest guide and confirm golf permission with your host.
How we chose these courses
We compared published course descriptions from golf publications and, where linked, official club, municipal and golf-association sources. Selection emphasizes a documented architectural feature, tournament connection, historical interest or a distinctive local option. This is desk research, not a first-person playing review or an exhaustive regional ranking. Directory completeness, paid placement and an invented scoring formula do not determine this shortlist. Course names distinguish individual layouts where relevant; a club's founding date is not automatically its current course's opening date.
What should you ask before visiting?
- Have the club or your host confirm your invitation and the procedure for registering guests.
- Ask about dress, arrival, walking or cart rules, guest charges and cancellation expectations.
- Do not assume a reciprocal arrangement, membership opening or hotel stay provides access.
Looking for indoor golf near Atlanta?
If weather changes your plans or you want an indoor practice session, explore indoor golf simulators in Atlanta. Compare the listed venues and their simulator equipment, then confirm current hours, pricing and availability with the operator. These are directory listings, not an extension of our outdoor-course rankings.