Olde Atlanta---Suwanee, GA
Now let me tell you, this is neighborhood golf done right. I can’t tell you how many neighborhood golf courses I’ve
played that have tried to be something they are not; Championship golf courses, Faux US Open courses, Augusta
National wanna be’s. C’mon! Know what you are and embrace it. And that is precisely what is done at Olde Atlanta.
The tips play at 6,789 yards and the middle tees (the ones I played) are 6,358 yards. This course is certainly long
enough, but not ridiculous. Also, being routed through a neighborhood makes the land available for fairways
limited. But rather than thin and narrow corridors the architect of the course made the landing areas bow out to
provide some width not only to land the ball in but also to have different angles to attack the green from.
Additionally, there is some water on the course. But it is not over used and it is very well placed. You are never
asked to hit a shot that you don’t have in your bag. For instance, on the par 5 18th you hit your drive and then
have a decision. Perhaps you have a 230 yard shot over water to make the green, but you could also lay up and
have an easy wedge into the green. So the choice you make is try for eagle or lay back and still have a shot at
birdie. The risk/reward choices are not so severe it is a choice between birdie or bogey, generally they are between
birdie and par.
And this is another reason why the course is "neighborhood golf done right" as it allows golfer to have fun and put
up some nice scores. Again, it is not pretending to be something it is not. It is not Oakmont or Carnoustie and your
round there isn’t an Open Championship. It is fun golf and that is what the game is supposed to be.
And finally, the variety in the course is excellent. You’ve got the 500 plus yard par 5’s and you’ve got 130 yard par
3’s. You’ve got blind tee shots and you’ve got drop shots. You’ve got big ol’ greens and you’ve got teeny-tiny
ones. You’ve really got it all wrapped in a nice, fun bundle.
Great course…play it…you’ll like it!!