Opening in 1932 as the first public golf course in Atlanta, 85 years of play had taken its toll, and Bobby Jones Golf Course was in dire need of a complete renovation. Three years and $33 million later, the result is a well-thought-out golf destination with something the entire public can enjoy.
From beginners to scratch golfers, Bobby Jones Golf Course now delivers an experience worthy of its namesake. The $33 million was spent wisely, not only on the golf course but on facilities. The updated clubhouse features ideal meeting space for hosting corporate and group events. Located just 15 miles north of the airport in the heart of Buckhead, the course is in a perfect position to attract golfers local to Atlanta, as well as those traveling into the busiest airport in the world.
Making the Game Available to the Public
The first words that come to mind when describing the new Bobby Jones Golf Course are innovative, unique, first-class, and ALL-INCLUSIVE. At Bobby Jones Golf Course, there’s truly something for everyone! Golf operations consist of several programs designed to grow the game by providing junior and adaptive golfers opportunities to play golf.
Grand Slam Golf Academy at Bobby Jones Golf Course got a complete makeover to help support all the learning initiatives. The academy complex is one of the most advanced public golf buildings in the Southeastern United States.
Making Golf Fun
The idea of playing 18-holes can often be overwhelming for someone new to the game. Bobby Jones Golf Course offers several alternative formats designed to draw more people into the game. The Cupp Links, a 5-hole “wee links” of 50-70 yards each, is excellent for juniors and anyone looking to have a good time.
The Dan Yates Putting Course is a 9-hole reversible putting course, and you’ll have so much fun playing that you won’t even realize how much you are practicing the most important part of the game!
The Murray Golf House at Bobby Jones Golf Course is home to the Georgia State Golf Association and the 1st ever Georgia Golf Hall of Fame featuring a one-of-a-kind interactive experience.
Boone’s restaurant provides captivating panoramic views of the course and has food and drink to match the glorious views. An excellent musician played while we enjoyed our meals after the round, which made for a particularly inviting experience.
Bobby Jones Golf Course is setting the pace technologically with their Ed Hoard Golf Shop. The golf shop is a completely autonomous space, including the remote check-in process, making for a seamless and straightforward experience. The high-tech golf shop also contains a tech bar with available tablets offering a supplemental retail experience, potentially opening many partnership options with vendors to offer exclusive deals for Bobby Jones Golf Course patrons. The golf shop is the most advanced in the state of Georgia and worth the visit alone.
As we approached the Murray Golf House, we could not help but notice the vast Dan Yates Putting Course to our right; it is an undulating monster of a green that begs you to come to play. This colossal green is a unique 9-holes played as either “Magnolia” or “Azalea,” matching the golf course set up for that day. Children under 18 can take on the Yates Putting Course for free, and adults pay $10. Next to the Dan Yates Putting Course sits “The Hall Hut,” which is a convenient place to grab a snack and load up on your drinks before heading out. The Hall Hut serves Fire Maker, a craft beer, and includes one brew crafted exclusively for Bobby Jones Golf Course.
The Bobby Jones Golf Course – 9 or 18, you decide
The late Bob Cupp designed a truly unique course in the updated Bobby Jones Golf Course. The design is a revolutionary reversible golf course, where there are two 9-hole courses laid on top of each other. One day you can play Magnolia, and the next, Azalea, or vice versa. It sounds crazy, but it works!
What’s even crazier is that there is no rough, yep you read that right, no rough! The entire course is mowed to fairway height, which makes for a more painless playing experience. Featuring multiple tees and substantial double greens, Bobby Jones Golf Course provides lots of variety and an easier way to enjoy the sport.
The greens are TifEagle bermudagrass and are better than advertised. The consistency and true roll throughout every green was particularly impressive. The enormous double greens also make for some long and electrifying putts. Bobby Jones Golf Course utilizes the Longleaf Tee System, so don’t go looking for a tee box. You won’t find any! Players choose their level (1 – 8) based on skill and tee off anywhere near that marker on each hole. The Longleaf system is gender-neutral and caters to golfers of any level. The trees lining many of the fairways are still young and small. However, it is easy to see the brilliance in this course design; as the trees and natural areas mature, the course will continue to get better and better.
Our entire experience at the new Bobby Jones Golf Course, from checking-in to enjoying the views from the veranda at Boone’s after our round, was outstanding!
Technology for the Ages
Innovation and forward-thinking are evident throughout the whole property. The technology implemented in every aspect of the operations is remarkable, and something you’ll see other golf courses try to replicate.
The golf carts have state of the art GPS with a Bluetooth sound system and video streaming. However, we chose to walk using the Tempo Walks; if you haven’t used Tempo Walks before, it’s like having a robot caddy following you around, and it’s great.
With so many options available at Bobby Jones Golf Course, your biggest challenge will be picking your favorite activity. With state-of-the-art technology and multiple golf products, the drastically improved Bobby Jones Golf Course is a must-visit for locals and visitors alike!